Post by QPR Report on Aug 7, 2009 6:34:41 GMT
[No QPR mention!]
Nottingham Evening Post
Blackstock insists Forest have nothing to fear
SUMMER is traditionally the time for allowing confidence and optimism to bloom. Even the most sceptical-minded of players cannot resist talk of what might be possible.
Play-offs and promotion seem to be within the grasp of even the lowly underdogs, at least before a ball has been kicked in anger.
It is, therefore, perhaps not a shock to hear Dexter Blackstock talking bullishly of precisely where Nottingham Forest have set their sights, as they prepare for a new Championship season.
Only, when the former QPR striker talks of a play-off push or even automatic promotion, it is with a steely, unquestionable sense of self-belief.
And, importantly, it is underlined with more than a dash of realism.
Where Nottingham Forest are concerned, Blackstock believes anything is possible.
Billy Davies' side may have escaped relegation only in the final weeks of the campaign, but they have strengthened heavily over the summer, with more than £5m spent on nine new signings.
And, as one of those new arrivals, Blackstock believes he is now part of a squad that is more than equipped to challenge.
But, critically, as the striker also observes, the difference between success and failure could be decided on simple attitude alone; on whether Forest have it in them to translate their undoubted ability into consistency and results.
"Some people will look at Reading away on the opening day and think it is a tough start," said Blackstock.
"But I don't think it makes a difference.
"In the Championship, anyone can beat anyone.
"I honestly think you could turn up to a game on a Saturday and it almost wouldn't matter who you are playing in this division.
"Home or away, if you are on your game, you will win. That is the way it is.
"We will go to Reading with our only thought being to take all three points.
"I don't think there is anyone there in the Championship to look at and worry about.
"People might say Newcastle, but I don't know about that. They seem to be in free fall.
"They haven't even got a manager.
"What would you rather have, a massive fan base or a settled manager and squad and a settled club?
"I look at the whole league and there is nobody to be feared. I will tell you that now. There is nobody there for us to be scared of.
"Every single game is winnable.
"It is about the strength and depth in the squad and the concentration level. If we can keep that up, if we can get some consistency, we can win the league. We can."
For evidence of exactly what is possible, Blackstock says Forest need only look to Burnley.
The unfashionable club whose geography leaves them sitting uncomfortably in the shadow of the likes of Manchester United and City will be competing alongside them in the Premiership this season, after unexpectedly winning promotion via the play-offs.
"Burnley are the example to follow. If you can win a few games in a row you can really move up the table," he said.
"You can pick up points fast with a good run of form.
"Burnley are not a massive club but they do things in the right way.
"They have a good manager and they play good football. They took points off people and they sneaked into the Premiership through the back door.
"You have to give them credit for that – but it is proof that anyone can do it.
"Newcastle and Middlesbrough don't have a divine right to go back up, they have to earn the right to succeed in this division.
"We have to respect teams to some level, but only a little bit.
"We should not fear anyone, that is for sure. It will take these former Premiership sides time to discover what the Championship is about."
Blackstock may be one of six strikers fighting for a first-team place this season, but he believes the strength in depth Forest now possess – combined with the new rule allowing teams to name seven substitutes in the Championship – will stand them in good stead.
"It is good that there will be seven players on the bench now because we do have a big squad with a lot of quality players," he said.
"The manager will have more of us at his disposal on a match day.
"And, with the backing the chairman has shown so far, maybe there will be the chance to strengthen again in January if we need it.
"You have to thank the chairman for his backing so far, because he did not have to give it a go like he has.
"He could have been happy to finish in the same position as we did last season."But he has given it a go, he is ambitious. The manager is definitely ambitious and the players are as well.
"Everyone is pulling in the right direction. It is just about putting it out on the field now."
On that front, Blackstock says Forest are looking forward to getting started at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow.
"Reading will be there or thereabouts this season," he said.
"And it is the first game of the season and it will be played at a fast tempo.
"It will take calm heads to come through it, to play the game and not the occasion.
"We just have to play our game and hopefully we will get the result we want, which is to claim three points.
"But we have nothing to fear."
Perhaps, however, if the rest of the Forest squad shares Blackstock's obvious determination, then the rest of the Championship might.
www.thisisnottinghamforest.co.uk/news/Blackstock-insists-Forest-fear/article-1231596-detail/article.html
Nottingham Evening Post
Blackstock insists Forest have nothing to fear
SUMMER is traditionally the time for allowing confidence and optimism to bloom. Even the most sceptical-minded of players cannot resist talk of what might be possible.
Play-offs and promotion seem to be within the grasp of even the lowly underdogs, at least before a ball has been kicked in anger.
It is, therefore, perhaps not a shock to hear Dexter Blackstock talking bullishly of precisely where Nottingham Forest have set their sights, as they prepare for a new Championship season.
Only, when the former QPR striker talks of a play-off push or even automatic promotion, it is with a steely, unquestionable sense of self-belief.
And, importantly, it is underlined with more than a dash of realism.
Where Nottingham Forest are concerned, Blackstock believes anything is possible.
Billy Davies' side may have escaped relegation only in the final weeks of the campaign, but they have strengthened heavily over the summer, with more than £5m spent on nine new signings.
And, as one of those new arrivals, Blackstock believes he is now part of a squad that is more than equipped to challenge.
But, critically, as the striker also observes, the difference between success and failure could be decided on simple attitude alone; on whether Forest have it in them to translate their undoubted ability into consistency and results.
"Some people will look at Reading away on the opening day and think it is a tough start," said Blackstock.
"But I don't think it makes a difference.
"In the Championship, anyone can beat anyone.
"I honestly think you could turn up to a game on a Saturday and it almost wouldn't matter who you are playing in this division.
"Home or away, if you are on your game, you will win. That is the way it is.
"We will go to Reading with our only thought being to take all three points.
"I don't think there is anyone there in the Championship to look at and worry about.
"People might say Newcastle, but I don't know about that. They seem to be in free fall.
"They haven't even got a manager.
"What would you rather have, a massive fan base or a settled manager and squad and a settled club?
"I look at the whole league and there is nobody to be feared. I will tell you that now. There is nobody there for us to be scared of.
"Every single game is winnable.
"It is about the strength and depth in the squad and the concentration level. If we can keep that up, if we can get some consistency, we can win the league. We can."
For evidence of exactly what is possible, Blackstock says Forest need only look to Burnley.
The unfashionable club whose geography leaves them sitting uncomfortably in the shadow of the likes of Manchester United and City will be competing alongside them in the Premiership this season, after unexpectedly winning promotion via the play-offs.
"Burnley are the example to follow. If you can win a few games in a row you can really move up the table," he said.
"You can pick up points fast with a good run of form.
"Burnley are not a massive club but they do things in the right way.
"They have a good manager and they play good football. They took points off people and they sneaked into the Premiership through the back door.
"You have to give them credit for that – but it is proof that anyone can do it.
"Newcastle and Middlesbrough don't have a divine right to go back up, they have to earn the right to succeed in this division.
"We have to respect teams to some level, but only a little bit.
"We should not fear anyone, that is for sure. It will take these former Premiership sides time to discover what the Championship is about."
Blackstock may be one of six strikers fighting for a first-team place this season, but he believes the strength in depth Forest now possess – combined with the new rule allowing teams to name seven substitutes in the Championship – will stand them in good stead.
"It is good that there will be seven players on the bench now because we do have a big squad with a lot of quality players," he said.
"The manager will have more of us at his disposal on a match day.
"And, with the backing the chairman has shown so far, maybe there will be the chance to strengthen again in January if we need it.
"You have to thank the chairman for his backing so far, because he did not have to give it a go like he has.
"He could have been happy to finish in the same position as we did last season."But he has given it a go, he is ambitious. The manager is definitely ambitious and the players are as well.
"Everyone is pulling in the right direction. It is just about putting it out on the field now."
On that front, Blackstock says Forest are looking forward to getting started at the Madejski Stadium tomorrow.
"Reading will be there or thereabouts this season," he said.
"And it is the first game of the season and it will be played at a fast tempo.
"It will take calm heads to come through it, to play the game and not the occasion.
"We just have to play our game and hopefully we will get the result we want, which is to claim three points.
"But we have nothing to fear."
Perhaps, however, if the rest of the Forest squad shares Blackstock's obvious determination, then the rest of the Championship might.
www.thisisnottinghamforest.co.uk/news/Blackstock-insists-Forest-fear/article-1231596-detail/article.html
