1865: A View From The Forest 🔴⚪️ #nffc

Well that has been another turbulent week for #nffc fans, hasn't it? In the spirit of Monty Python (ask your parents/grandparents, kids), "Now for something completely different..."

We speak to North America's Nottingham Forest superfan, Big Wes Hall, to hear the story of how a case of mistaken identity on social media led to him discovering soccer (sorry) and become ever-so-slightly obsessed with the Reds.

Wes tells us what he loves about British football culture, and the differences between US and English fans. We also hear how Wes has started learning some of the Nottingham dialect, why he loves Ryan Yates and what happened when Big Wes met the other Big Wes.

Like what you hear? Subscribe via your podcast provider, and please leave a review, as it helps other Forest supporters find our content. Find us on Twitter (@nottm_forest), join us on Instagram and Facebook (forestramble), or email [email protected]. If you want to support the podcast and get some Forest-inspired merch - visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

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Things hadn't been right for some time, had they? Even before lockdown, the legs had gone, the poor January transfer window hindered the manager and then everything crumbled in lockdown. What seemed like promising recruitment quickly became insane, with sooooo many new signings, and in the meantime the manager had signed a new contract and recruited new backroom staff. Just another year in the life of Nottingham Forest...

Our podcasters digest the departure of Sabri Lamouchi and ponder over the new gaffer's chances of success - he certainly has the pedigree, but does his status as Manager (rather than Head Coach) signify a change in football operations?

Anyway, we praise the appointment of Chris Hughton and welcome the new gaffer to Nottingham.

Like what you hear? Subscribe via your podcast provider, and please leave a review, as it helps other Forest supporters find our content. Find us on Twitter (@nottm_forest), join us on Instagram and Facebook (forestramble), or email [email protected]. If you want to support the podcast and get some Forest-inspired merch - visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

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We bring you a bumper podcast this month, as there is just so much to talk about: 

We also welcome back Jeremy Davies for an episode of Pointless (East Midlands football edition), and have a new feature from our newest squad member, Tom Newton. As if that wasn't enough, we close the podcast with mentions of Sam Allardyce and a stark b*llock naked Tony Pulis.

Like what you hear? Subscribe via your podcast provider, and please leave a review, as it helps other Forest supporters find our content. Find us on Twitter (@nottm_forest), join us on Instagram and Facebook (forestramble), or email [email protected]. If you want to support the podcast and get some Forest-inspired merch - visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

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I don't know, in some ways it would have been easier if we had got thumped, then Sabri could have been relieved of his duties and at least the debate would be over. As it is, despite another defeat, Forest might have done just enough to earn M Lamouchi a reprieve for a couple of weeks at least.

The headlines are that Forest are still winless and pointless, but at least Luke Freeman scored a goal to perk up the Reds players, fans and manager. Unfortunately this came after Forest once again gifted two soft goals to the opposition, and if you give an in-form team a two goal head start, we all know how it is likely to end. Baz reports on a game where Forest at last gave the opposition keeper something to do.

Our monthly review podcast is coming up soon; subscribe via your podcast provider, and please leave a review, as it helps other Forest supporters find our content. Find us on Twitter (@nottm_forest), join us on Instagram and Facebook (forestramble), or email [email protected]. If you want to support the podcast and get some Forest-inspired merch - visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

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Another defeat, another blank and another bad night at the office for Sabri Lamouchi. It was always going to be the case that the first team to score would win this one, and despite Ben Hamer making good saves from Sammy Ameobi and Loic Mbe Soh, the Reds' night was characterised by the lack of chances created, especially in the second half.

In this special match report, we are joined by the Maradona of the Midlands and Kosi from Huddersfield Town podcast And He Takes That Chance, to review all the night's action. We reflect upon those saves by Hamer, that goal by Fraizer Campbell, and thank the Lord that Adama Bloody Diakhaby didn't score. We also hear an interesting story about that first minute challenge by Jonathan Hogg on Harry Arter - it should have been a red card for the Terriers' skipper, but it sounds like there was some history behind it. In the meantime, Forest lick their wounds and seek a glimmer of hope - we can't find one either.

Like what you hear? Find us on Twitter (@nottm_forest), join us on Instagram and Facebook (forestramble), or email [email protected]. If you want to support the podcast and get some Forest-inspired merch - visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

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This episode could have been called "The Hangover Part 2", as two ludicrously soft goals in the first half gifted the game to Cardiff, and Forest looked just as poor as they had done against Barnsley and QPR.

Except there were signs of life as the half-time Lucozade kicked in; the first-half tactical switch that saw Joe Lolley replaced by Lyle Taylor actually paid dividends as the Cardiff defence had more to think about, and the movement and guile of Luke Freeman made more of an impression as he came in from the right hand side, rather than playing as an orthodox number 10.

Sure, Cardiff could take their foot off the gas as they probably had the points in the bag already, but Forest looked more energetic, had more forward movement and actually created chances, and at least warmed the gloves of Cardiff's Alex Smithies. 

Still no goals, and still no points, so there's a long way to go; but the second half performance may have helped the confidence of players, manager and supporters.

Like what you hear? Find us on Twitter (@nottm_forest), join us on Instagram and Facebook (forestramble), or email [email protected]. If you want to support the podcast and get some Forest-inspired merch - visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

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#nffc have a hangover... the first two matches of the season have seen Forest slumped over the toilet, desperately in need of a win to ease their splitting headache and a terrible wave of nausea.

The defeats at Barnsley and QPR have exposed the harsh reality that Forest have not managed to draw a line under the disaster of the run-in, and players and management alike need to step up to the starting marks.

However, this podcast believes that Sabri Lamouchi should be given some time to try and make a difference - for all the disappointment of the draw at Derby last season, it offered a glimmer of hope that Forest are capable of playing on the front foot and taking the game to their opponents. Sabri has suggested that he wants Forest to offer more going forward, and crucially the club have backed him both with backroom staff and new players. 

September and October are crucial months for Sabri, for new players to bed in, old ones to rediscover their mojo, and for us to see if the coaching staff can implement some new ideas. A win - any win - would be a boon, like a bacon sandwich wth a cup of coffee and two paracetamol.

Like what you hear? Follow us @nottm_forest on Twitter, @forestramble on Instagram or Facebook, or email us your thoughts [email protected]. If you want to support the podcast and get some Forest-inspired merch - visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

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Forest's season started with an underwhelming awayday at Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. While it might be a blessing to "concentrate on the league", the manner of defeat and style of play gave concern to many Reds fans.

We debate team selection, new signing and what they can bring, and most notably whgether Forest's style of play will evolve this season. 

We also have some thoughts about the club's communication with fans, especially season card holders who are awaiting news of how they can follow their team.

Jeremy Davies joins us with his monthly sketch, and we have news of how you can support the podcast and get some great new clothes - just visit flat-back-4.co.uk and mention "1865" when you check out.

Like what you hear? Follow us @nottm_forest on Twitter, @forestramble on Instagram or Facebook, or email us your thoughts [email protected]. Come on you Reds!

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As a new season looms large, we have a (slightly) new name, new (old) theme music, and a pre-season preview coming soon.

In the meantime, we are delighted to have been joined by the voice of the City Ground, and a popular voice on BBC Radio Nottingham - the one and only Mark Dennison.

Denno talks to us about: his experiences as #nffc stadium announcer, especially during some of the bleak times in League One; how he got the gig in the first place; and what he really thinks about goal music.

Like what you hear? Follow us @nottm_forest on Twitter, @forestramble on Instagram or Facebook, or email us your thoughts [email protected]. Come on you Reds!

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This wasn't supposed to be the end of the season, was it? As Forest have dramatically and spectacularly failed to make the play-offs, Rich Ferraro leads a post-mortem on the Reds' performance in 2019-20; Baz, Steven Toplis and the Maradona of the Midlands share their thoughts on a variety of issues, and there is a short-but-sweet end-of-season sketch from Jeremy Davies:

Follow us on Twitter (@nottm_forest), or search for "Forest Ramble" on Instagram and Facebook. We don't know what will happen to the players and manager, but we do know that we will still be supporting #nffc next season. Have a great summer.

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