It’s supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but December has become more of a nightmare for Nottingham Forest.
As the decorations go up, the Reds tend to fall apart.
A rather alarming trend has developed which is now stretching into a fourth successive season.
There is something about the festive period which does not sit well with Forest.
Bah, humbug!
For whatever reason, the countdown to Christmas conjures up contrasting emotions to those which should be enjoyed.
Eat, drink and be merry.
The first two aren’t a problem, but the latter is proving to be an issue.
Forest are driving us to drink, with the choice being taken out of our hands!
Spirit
A 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, you say.
Having had over 60 per cent possession.
I think I’ll have another!
Said shooting of the foot against Boro on Tuesday came on the back of a similar episode at Millwall.
A distinct lack of closing down was a problem at The Den, while Jack Robinson got too friendly with Marvin Johnson back on home soil.
A stoppage-time leveller and late penalty – enough to drain the spirit from anybody.
We have, however, been here before.
Plenty of times!
Last season, it was with the end of the calendar year in sight that the wheels started to fall off for Aitor Karanka.
A 2-0 win over Ipswich to open the month bode well.
Just two more points were taken from there, with Boxing Day delivering the now infamous collapse at Norwich in a barely believable seven minutes of additional time.
So, that was five points from a possible 18 and one win in six.
Examples
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A year earlier and the Reds took only four points from six games, with another solitary success chalked up.
Turn the clock back a further 12 months and it was the same story.
From December 1, 2016 to the present day, Forest have collected 15 points from 60 in the final month of any given year.
Three wins and six draws from 20 outings.
There are other examples of such struggles to be found in the last decade – along with the odd anomaly.
In 2014-15, three points were taken from five games, eight from six in 2012-13 and just one in 2011-12.
Cheer has been found in other campaigns – with two victories from only two December fixtures secured in 2010-11 – but they have been the exception to the rule.
There is, of course, time to buck the trend in 2019-20.
Forest still have another four games to take in this year, starting with a home date against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.
Sabri Lamouchi’s have, however, reverted to type so far in December and need to raise their game in order to deliver a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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