Video: Notts TV’s Owen Shipton reviews Forest’s ‘international’ themed campaign.
Notts TV sports reporter Owen Shipton is taking a look back at all three Nottinghamshire football teams’ seasons and we start at the City Ground, where there was an ‘international feel’ to this campaign.
There was a gallic flavour to the start of Nottingham Forest’s season, with new boss Philippe Montanier having a certain ‘je ne sais quoi’ that won over fans and players at the City Ground.
But after a poor start to the season Montanier was sacked – in mid January, Forest were only three points above the relegation zone and hadn’t won in more than a month.
From the off, Forest fans were angry with club owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi following the sale of promising youngster Oliver Burke to German side Red Bull Leipzig for £13.5 million.
And ‘Fawaz Out’ protests intensified, not least when a deal to sell the club to American entrepreneur John Jay Moores collapsed.
After the Reds waved ‘au revoir’ to Montanier it was ‘bonjour’ to Gary Brazil, Forest’s academy manager.
Brazil’s knowledge of Forest’s up-and-coming talents proved handy, turning youngster Ben Brereton into a first team regular.
But with relegation still looming, there was a third change at the top, this time an arrival from Scotland as former Rangers manager Mark Warbuton took over from Brazil.
A 94th minute equaliser from defender Daniel Pinillos gave Warbuton a share of the spoils in his first match in charge against fierce rivals Derby County.
A last gasp effort on the final day of the season was enough to save Forest from relegation.
The Reds escaped the drop on goal difference, securing Championship survival with a vital 3-0 home win over Ipswich Town.
With the club safe, it is reported that waiting in the wings could be Olympiacos FC owner Evangelos Marinakis.
He is waiting for the EFL to approve his takeover after facing allegations of match fixing back in his homeland of Greece.
So, will there be tzatziki at the City Ground next season? Taramasalata in the Trend End? We will find out next season.
