There is an old saying that suggests footballers don’t become bad players overnight. So, does the same apply to those who manage instead of play?
Sabri Lamouchi has seemingly gone from hero to zero in a matter of weeks with social media becoming a toxic environment.
The Frenchman is still getting himself accustomed to the Championship. Saturday’s game at Huddersfield Town now means that Lamouchi has seen every side in the division at least once, with the exception of Reading.
The last five games haven’t reaped three points and according to some, it would seem the gaffer is on borrowed time.
Anyone who does share that notion should ask the question of what will parting company with another manager really achieve?
No supporter should ever be told how to support their beloved football club but with every thought process, there must come an element of method in the madness.
It’s quite ironic that the ones who think Lamouchi could be close to the edge are also the ones bemoaning Forest’s bloated squad.
Can you imagine? Lamouchi leaves, half of the players aren’t wanted by the new manager and the squad list ticks over 40 once again. Comical.
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It’s perfectly reasonable to suggest that football is a results-based business and the last five results haven’t been acceptable.
The manner in which Forest rolled over and had their bellies tickled by Sheffield Wednesday, a supposed play-off rival, was frankly embarrassing.
Players have ridden the crest of a wave this season and with that, lots of praise has been lavished on their doorstep.
When a team is thumped 4-0 with all four goals coming in the first half they deserve criticising. That’s what being a footballer is all about. Being able to take the rough with the smooth from supporters is a mandatory requirement.
There is a big difference between constructive critique and a moronic overreaction, however, with some Forest fans seemingly hellbent on the latter just lately.
Annual blip
Forest and December don’t mix. We’ve been here before. The Reds and the final month of the year go together about as well as Gemma Collins took to ice skating during her stint on ITV show Dancing on Ice. It doesn’t work and in both cases, one ends up flat on their face!
Okay, it would be nice to finally arrest the slump one year but are things really that bad?
The football at times during the last five games has been poor but it goes without saying that every team in this unpredictable division encounters a blip.
Despite what some fans think, we won’t blow teams away in this league and more importantly, we have no divine right to turn up and roll teams over. Let’s not forget this squad has had probably six months to work with each other.
Bucking the unwanted trend
What would be nice during the current campaign is to go a full season without changing a manager. It’s been far too long since that happened and with Lamouchi only having a one-year deal it seems a no-brainer.
Going back to the original point, has Lamouchi become a bad manager? No. Is Forest’s form cause for concern? Of course. Is the Frenchman capable of turning things around? Time will tell. Should he be sacked on the back of a blip? Absolutely not!
It goes without saying that if Forest are to revive their season in terms of a top-six finish they must pick up some wins quickly.
Sacking another manager isn’t the answer though. At times like this, the Reds need their fans to pull together. Bickering with each other on social platforms, moaning and groaning at every misplaced pass at the City Ground and threatening to fight people in Nottingham City Centre – yes seriously – isn’t helpful at all.
Lamouchi hasn’t become a bad manager overnight. With a few additions during the January transfer window, there is every reason to suggest the team can kick on once again.
One blip doesn’t define a season and Forest’s boss did enough earlier in the season to justify a bit of support during the current slump.
If Forest can pick up some points during the next three games, things suddenly look a lot rosier. That is the nature of the Championship beast.
Lamouchi has proved humbled, dedicated and passionate in his short time at the club. Some supporters would be wise to remember that the next time they make a knee-jerk comment about sacking another manager.
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