Sabri Lamouchi insists he is “not a magician”, but many at Nottingham Forest will be questioning that statement.
Further evidence is required as proof that the Frenchman is not part of the fabled ‘circle’.
How else can the stunning turnaround on Trentside be explained?
Hard work and a clear strategy you say… ok, point taken.
It would, however, come as no surprise to discover that Lamouchi arrives at training on a broomstick with a wand tucked in his pocket and spell book under his arm.
He has been displaying all the tricks of the trade so far.
To have got Forest unbeaten through 10 Championship games and joint-top of the table is no mean feat.
His most dazzling performance yet may be to actually see out an entire season at the helm.
Stability
Lamouchi has told Sporting Life: “The last five years, they have changed 11 managers here.
“The last one to do a full season it was close to 10 years ago.
“I just want to make one season, one full season, and we will see where we finish. It just needs stability. I am not a magician. I am just a manager.”
Sure, Sabri, we’ll believe you for now.
But if we find ourselves back in the Premier League next season then such comments just won’t wash.
The mask will have to slip at some point!
For now, though, let’s assume that Lamouchi is a mere mortal and has carried the Reds to this point through nothing more than hard work.
He certainly has a blueprint which makes a lot of sense.
Which is more than can be said for some of those who have gone before him!
The former Ivory Coast, El Jaish and Rennes boss added to Sporting Life of his masterplan: “It’s very simple. In Africa, in the Middle East, In France and here – just to try and bring the player with you.
“With the kind of players you have, to adapt to a good system and to bring them into simple football.
“But the football, it’s a collective sport and you cannot enjoy it alone. You need to work together to fight, together to run, but each one needs to know what to do without the ball and when he has the ball.
“My role is to bring the maximum from each one for the team because together we are more stronger.”
Dreams
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Lamouchi has been dragging everyone along with him in 2019-20.
For the first time in what feels like an eternity, dreams of promotion are being formed at the City Ground.
They may well disappear in a puff of smoke.
Come the end of the season, it may all have been an illusion!
For now, though, Lamouchi is saying: “I want the same as all the people.
“The past is the past, I can live with the past but I need to think about now and just now. We will see. We will see but of course it is not an easy job.”
That it isn’t.
Expectation, which is forever high at Forest, has been cranked up another notch.
In order to deliver the ultimate prize, Lamouchi may have to find a touch of magic along the way.
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