An interview with a rival... Forest

Ahead of Saturday's clash at the County Groung, Keith Ingham spoke to Garry Housley about all things Forest.

How long have you followed Forest?

I have followed Forest for about 38 years. My first ever game was against wolves in 1978 and I have been a season ticket holder for 20 years. I'm also an away member too.

What was the main reason you decided they were your team?

I was born in Nottinghamshire and my grandad was from Nottingham and was born on the meadows which is just across the other side of the trent from the City Ground.

He first took me when I was 7 and thats where it all started (my dad is a derby county season ticket holder, but thankfully i didnt choose the dark side! lol)

We've both had Brian Clough as manager (we did for 44 days anyway) Your opinion of the man, was it him or his partnership with Peter Taylor?

Clough was the best thing to ever happen to Nottingham Forest. He was a brilliant man manager and thankfully your loss was our gain along with several trophies notably the 2 European cups (that could have been leeds lol)

One thing for sure he couldn't have done what he did without Peter Taylor and when their friendship broke down I don't think he was ever the same man although he still went on to win a few more trophies on his own after.

Two parallels; a hero at Forest and a dud at Leeds. RIP Cloughy

Stand out players during your time as a fan? Name as many as you like.

Stuart Pearce, Stan Collymoore, John Robertson, Trevor francis, John McGovern (the whole of the 79 and 80 european team really) Nigel Jepson, Nigel Clough, Lee Camp, Britt Assombalongoa, Michael Antonio to name a few.

We've both got 'questionable owners'. Your opinion on both Fawaz and Cellino?

Fawaz- There is no doubting his heart is in the right place and he has ploughed over a £100mill of his money into the club and he has a genuine love for all things Brian Clough.

But the off-field running of the club has been a shambles really. With court orders, bills not paid on time etc to name a few, numerous managers, damaging the name of the club; we are currently in the process of a potential takeover of the club by the owner of Olympiakos and although not official.

Marinakis seems to have been calling the shots with appointment of new manager Phillipe Montanier and the DOF pereira. Hopefully that will go through allowing Fawaz to just become a fan. But we shall see, nothing ever runs smoothly at our to clubs!

Cellino- Looking from the outside in, the man has ruined your club and some of his decisions re hiring and firing of your managers has been ludicrous, ie hockerday. Now the rumours surfacing that monk could be on borrowed time! It's a shame because your supporters who support the club all over the country do not deserve all that cellino brings to leeds - as you say and I 100% agree -TIME TO GO MASSIMO.

Do you have any memorable games with Leeds?

Got to be our 7-3 win over you a few years back under Steve Cotterill. I don't think I will ever witness a game like that ever again!

Also the recent game during Stuart Pearce's reign where we drew 1-1 but should have won 3-1 as Matty Frystt had 2 perfectly good goal dissallowed! (Debatable)

The 1st game after Gary Speed's passing when you played at the CG you beat us 4 nil that night and you scored around the 11th minute and started singing Speed's name at same time that was a surreal moment.

Player or players you think can excel against Leeds and this season?

Britt Assombalonga and Oliver Burke are the two main players that you will need to watch out for.

Also our new signing from Benfica; hilderberto pereria, he has all the tricks in the book, and Pajtimi Kasami who scored that wonder goal against Palace for Fulham a couple of seasons ago.

Hopefully he can produce a thunderbolt against you a bit like guedioura did against you in the 7-3 win!

Where you think you'll end up in May? Below or higher than Leeds?

I would hope that we could push for a top 6 finish this season if we can keep scoring like we have and cut out conceding too many goals. Realistically, I would think that will probably be a top ten finish. I think we will finish just above Leeds this season, if you can keep Monk you should be ok, but if MC wields the axe again I fear there could be trouble ahead for you guys.

Top two and four playoff teams?

Newcastle and Norwich

Brighton,Sheff weds, Forest and Leeds (lol)

Three relegation candidates?

Rotherham, Burton and Blackburn

What is your prediction and scorers for Saturday's game?

4-3 to Forest
Scorers - Assombalonga, burke, lam and Cash
Antonsson x 2 and Wood for Leeds

We'd like to thank Gary for taking the time to complete our interview and wish him the best of luck for this season. We both know that a Premier League return for both Leeds and Forest would be a joy to behold.

By Keith Ingham