Rich Ferraro's Forest Ramble

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

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

#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 s

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 info@forestramble.com. Come on you Reds! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 info@forestramble.com. Come on you Reds! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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: Should Sabri stay or go? Was the problem mental or physical? Squad strength and recruitment Can Forest do a Leeds next season? 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything that we feared, everything that we hoped wouldn’t happen, everything we had seen before against Yeovil and Blackpool - all of that came true again tonight. Forest only have themselves to blame, as after an hour, they had levelled the scores and should have been in control. Congratulations to Swansea for doing what they had to do, but once again Forest have snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. There will be much to reflect upon over the break, but tonight can be summed up by the disbelief on Joe Lolley’s face after the final whistle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Barnsley 1-0 Nottingham Forest That was bad, wasn't it? A match which Forest not only deserved to lose, but in which they were abject and incapable of stringing two passes together. Fair play to Barnsley, they played well and were deserved victors. Only Sabri Lamouchi would know why he chose an unfamiliar formation, but no-one will know why all the players were so bad; second-choice goalkeeper Jordan Smith was the only player to come out of this one with the slightest bit of credit. Once again, #nffc succumbed to a late goal, which does not inspire confidence for the play-offs, and that's assuming results go the right way on Wednesday. A despondent Steven Toplis reports on a bad afternoon for Forest at Oakwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Two goals from Sammy Ameobi were the highlight of a topsy-turvy evening at the City Ground, as Forest just didn't turn up for the first fifteen minutes, before looking sharper, brighter and more creative in the second. Really, the Reds should have won this match, but were lucky not to be down to ten men as Tobias Figueiredo was subbed before he was sent off. That doesn't excuse a mystifying performance from referee Oliver Langford, who never seemed in control of the match; he had to send off Kyle Naughton towards the end, but Andre Ayew had him under his thumb all match, as exemplified by the award of the penalty (it wasn't), and his tolerance of the actual spot-kick (stuttering is allowed, stopping isn't). Overall, some pleasing elements, most notably the tactical changes that saw Forest improve in the second half; but it is hard to escape the feeling that Forest should have taken all of the points tonight. We're not there yet, and it would be great if we could gather some momentum, rather than stuttering,

A lacklustre performance from Forest suggested a hangover from Derby’s last-minute equaliser at the weeked, as Harry Arter’s goal saw Fulham take all three points. Steven Toplis reflects upon a match that never really got going, and in which any promise from Forest fizzled out as Joe Lolley succumbed to injury and Arter produced the only real moment of quality on the stroke of half-time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an extended match report, the Maradona of the Midlands is angry with Forest for throwing Derby a lifeline via an unnecessary foul. Rich Ferraro points out that the game plan worked, as Forest kept Derby at arm’s length, and the Reds should really have been at least three goals up before the late rush of blood to the head. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our match preview, Rich Ferraro discusses Forest’s fortunes with Cory and Jason from the Rams Review podcast. From a Red perspective, style of play and mental resilience are key factors, and we also discussed managerial tactics and Sabri and Cocu’s use of subs in the era of lockdown football. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A violent encounter at the City Ground saw Forest hold onto a one goal advantage to take three points against ten men. A special free-kick from Tiago Silva ensured the Reds won a game of few chances. Corona-football may work to Forest’s advantage, as the Reds have the opportunity to turn brittle home form into Fortress City Ground. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sabri Lamouchi celebrated a year in charge of the Reds with a comfortable victory over relegation-threatened Huddersfield, as Forest played their first lockdown match at the City Ground. We talk tactics, goalscorers, management skills and substitutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite a decent performance, and a good goal by Joe Lolley, some familiar problems re-emerged as Forest struggled to hold onto the ball, and couldn’t defend a stoppage-time corner. Despite the extra substitutions available to both managers, some players were clearly struggling, including Tobias Figueiredo and Brice Samba. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With only a few days to go before the season resumes, we are all getting a bit excited! We discuss hopes and expectations for the Reds’ resumption, season card options, and players’ and manager’s contract offers - when are Forest going to tie Sabri down to a new deal? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In many ways, Dexter Blackstock's debut goal had it all…power, technique, and it was a stoppage time winner. In other ways, this was probably Forest’s most important goal of this particular season, kickstarting the form and mentality that would enable Forest to escape the drop after just one season in the Championship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This moment was Bergkamp-esque - hard to describe, but you cannot help but marvel at the movement, and the way in which Simon Cox brings the ball down over his shoulder, before poking it past the goalkeeper in the same movement. Cox’s finest moment in a Forest shirt won the Championship Goal Of The Season that year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This free-kick was just astonishing; despite the distance (nearly 40 yards), there was never any doubt in Lewis McGugan’s mind. A combination of power and swerve meant that the Ipswich goalkeeper never stood a chance. This won the Championship Goal Of The Season and was Brazilian in its brilliance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast special, we dissect Forest’s previous encounters in the play-offs. What can we learn from these experiences? Our defeats haven’t been down to bad luck and fine margins - or have they? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices