9 unbeaten, and eating my words....

Middlesbrough away. A tough away trip on paper but with Boro currently struggling and the Reds on fire a quiet feeling of optimism was surrounding Forest.

The early goal was a huge blow, but fair play to the lads for for staying in the game and ultimately outplaying one of the stronger sides in this league away from home.

The Bristol City game was a blow not to have taken all 3 points in the end, but there is no doubt that despite not winning as many games as we would like Forest seem virtually unbeatable at the moment, especially away from home. As the only team in the top seven leagues to be unbeaten away from home so far this season, there is currently plenty for Forest fans to smile about.

And yes, Robert Earnshaw did make me eat my words on saturday. A super free kick which did earn us a point at a tough venue. BUT i would however like to point out that Earnie came on as a 57th minute substitute for David McGoldrick which still shows Billy prefers the youngster in his starting XI over Earnshaw.

it will be interesting now to see if Earnie starts against Doncaster, which is a huge game for our great run bearing in mind that rivals Leicester City soon visit the City ground and we face a tuesday night trip to Sheffield United.

Many Forest fans will remember what happened last time Donny turned up to the City Ground. They handed forest a Boxing Day humiliation which in the end was the final nail in Colin Calderwood's coffin. Donny should not be underestimated and having beaten QPR on saturday Forest should be very wary of them coming to play football and ruin Forest's day.

If Forest do win....many people will sit up and acknowledge Forest as genuine promotion contenders, if they haven't already.

Should Have Been 3, But It's 8 Unbeaten....

Bristol City are an excellent Championship side, there's no doubt about it. They came to the City Ground for a point, and they got it, so boring, but you have to credit them for it.

It was elation when Big Wes scored and it had everyone thinking that it was going to be one of those "Do you remember when Wes scored the winner" days, but BC managed to spoil the party.

Gary Johnson is a top drawer manager and Bristol City are making good steady progress through the Championship thus far. Not many notable names in their starting XI, but a hard working team who were well organised on the day.

Paul Anderson somehow didn't score from close range after Garath McCleary broke through, but it was an unbelivable challenge from Cole Skuse. Ando deserved to get on the score sheet, another lively and hard-working performance from the winger who terrifies defenders when he runs at them. 250,000 pounds. Looks like the scousers could do with him back at the moment.

8 games unbeaten now and a real feel-good-factor surrounding the club and our hungry young team. Middlesbrough away next who have suffered two disappointing defeats since Gordon Strachan took over, but they will surely start picking up points soon when his influence begins to take effect. A draw would be an excellent result and another point gained before we head into the Doncaster game with momentum behind us, and the chance to avenge last years Boxing Day humiliation.

Come On You Reds.

Do we really need Earnshaw.....

I admit, last season Robert Earnshaw's goals were vital to our survival in The Championship. This season however is a different kettle of fish. Earnie is no longer the main man as far as attacking options are concerned, with the arrivals of Dexter Blackstock, Radoslaw Majewski and David McGoldrick and from the performances i have seen from him so far this season they are much below the high standards of last season. A slack penalty miss against WBA and ambling off the pitch when being substituted against Blackpool when we were losing 1-0 are two moments this season which have caused me to question Earnie's desire.
When the transfer rumours started to fly, with Earnie being linked with Middlesborough and Newcastle, i asked myself the question would we really miss him if he was gone. The answer i came up with was no. Dexter has hit the ground running since his permanent arival from QPR, Mcgoldrick has bags of goalscoring potential and will get better the more games he gets under his belt and Majewski looks like one hell of a creative midfielder.

With these increased options, Earnshaw's chances of being in the starting line up are decreased and i find it hard to believe that he will settle for simply being an option on the bench. Also with the amount of fire power we purchased in the summer it has to be asked if Billy really does rate Earnie. We all know what happened at Derby, and i can't help wondering if Billy was only playing him last season because he simply had no one else.

It will be interesting to se if any offers come in for Earnie in January, and if Billy decides £4 million is too much money to turn down for someone who is in danger of becoming only a fringe player.