By FF79
July 2 2004

Nottingham Forest Annouce first Team Squad for the 2004/2005 Season. Are there any clues as to what Big Joe may have in mind for our assault on the Coca-Cola Football League Championship? FF79 reports... 1- Ward
2- Louis-Jean
3- Rogers
4- Morgan
5- Dawson
6- Thompson
7- Reid
8- Evans
9- DJ
10- Taylor
11- King
12- Roche
14- Jess
15- Impey
16- Doig
17- Commons
18- James
19- Cash
20- Westcarr
21- Tarka
22- Gerrard
23- Bopp
24- Robertson
25- Biggins
26- Gardner
27- Beaumont
28- Perch


Well, there it is in all its glory…Forest’s 1st team squad for the 04/05 season. So what does it tell us? I think it’s safe to assume that 1-5 will be our starting defence, right? Are we going with Wardy over Gerrard? And why’s Gerrard 22 rather than the more orthodox back-up keeper number 12, which Roche has strangely been assigned?

But what about the midfield? Again, it’s same to assume that Reidy and Evo (wearing my favourite number 8!) make up two of the midfield four but who makes up the balance? Thomo has been allocated number 6 so are we to surmise that he might be in there somewhere with the fourth man being either Commons, James, Jess or Bopp? And on the subject of Bopp, can I say personally just how delighted I am to see his name on the 1st team list. That boy is a real talent so hopefully he’ll pull his socks up this season, apply himself and become the Forest legend he has all the talent to become.

Can we take a moment of silence (in celebration!) at the absence of the names ‘Sonner’ and ‘Gunnarson’ on this list. Both lovely blokes, I’m sure, both hard workers but neither ever had any place wearing our famous red. Good luck elsewhere, lads.

So, to the forward line. Big Joe has offered up no clues as to who his starting pair might be. On form, I would favour DJ and King, however we all know Joe has a liking for Taylor and the extra dimension he offers with his traditional centre forward ‘target-man’ strength and height.

Finally, isn’t it great to see a good number of Forest youngsters, our hopeful future, included in the 1st team squad. Who out of Cash, Robertson, Biggins, Gardner, Beuamont or Perch do we think will have the best chance (and ability to grab that chance with both hands should it come along) to break in to and make a impact on the 1st team? I would have included Westcarr in that list of young prospects but I fear his chance has already come and gone. Who knows though, football is indeed a funny old game and Westy may yet ‘do a Marlon Harewood’, finally come good and surprise us all. Here’s hoping!

FF79