Amongst the home fans...

[Cerberus Blade]

I sat amongst the Forest fans at the match yesterday. Bridgford Upper. Right above where the Blades were housed. It was the only way I could get to see the game, having left it late to buy my ticket. Here's what I witnessed...

A song that I haven't heard chanted for a few years. "Sign on, sign on, with a pen, in your hand, and you'll never work again, you'll never work again". That goes back to the 1980's when unemployment was high and the Miner's strike was in full swing. It is obviously their response to our "Scabs" chant - but we hadn't chanted "Scabs" at this point. In fact we hadn't chanted much at all tbh?

Unless the acoustics in that ground are such that sound doesn't travel very well, the United fans were hardly noticeable. At one point the Forest fans were singing, "We're Nottingham Forest, we'll sing on our own". I've never know such a poor vocal effort from the Blades, who normally out-sing everyone.

Whether that had something to do with the football being played, I don't know. Forest looked shaky and nervous all over the park. We looked very composed by comparison, but, once again, some very poor decisions were being made at critical points in the game, particularly in and around the 18 yard box. Once again we were trying to over-play it in that area, trying to walk it in. And when we weren't doing that the final ball was just awful. There was one in the second half where Freeman got through to the by-line - we had men in the 6 yard box and all he had to do was cross it to them from about 6 yards away. He wasn't under pressure either, all the time in the world and...soft one, straight to their keeper.

To be honest, Freeman had a very poor game imo - he should have gone off long before he did. Cranie did o.k. in slotting in and right back, but we missed Basham's foraging runs down the right. Why on earth he dropped McGoldrick after that 3 of Clarke, Sharp and McGoldrick worked so well last week I really don't know. If it was for Coutt's benefit then it didn't work. Coutts was average throughout and looks off the pace to me - which is to be expected perhaps - but don't waste a first team shirt on him then until he's ready. We improved enormously when he went off and McGoldrick came on.

I think the most concerning thing was we didn't have a clear attempt on goal in the entire match. And Forest were poor, really, they were. I bet they couldn't believe how easily they got let off the hook.

In the crowd their fans were singing "Aitor Karanka, take us to the Premiership" or summat like that, constantly throughout the game. I thought that was interesting in itself. It's a totally different mentality to most Blades fans. Forest have an average side and their fans are expecting success. We've got a good side, albeit a bit short in some areas, and we daren't even talk about top 6 in case it doesn't happen!

On the long walk back into town I heard a bloke (a Forest fan) teaching his little daughter (she must have been about 6) to sing, "who the fuckin' hell are you?", lovely eh? And I heard many references to "Yorkshire scum". I don't think they like us you know? It's a pity we didn't play better and give them even more reason, that's all I can say.

 

[bladesmanluke]

I sat in the same sort of area to you last season there and on that occasion the blades were very loud, particularly at 1-0 up. Must’ve just been the performance.

Echo your thoughts on Freeman having a poor game. Usually prefer him to Baldock, but he just looked fucked all game yesterday and was entirely at fault for their goal.

 

[alcoblade]

I sat amongst the Forest fans at the match yesterday. Bridgford Upper. Right above where the Blades were housed. It was the only way I could get to see the game, having left it late to buy my ticket. Here's what I witnessed...

A song that I haven't heard chanted for a few years. "Sign on, sign on, with a pen, in your hand, and you'll never work again, you'll never work again". That goes back to the 1980's when unemployment was high and the Miner's strike was in full swing. It is obviously their response to our "Scabs" chant - but we hadn't chanted "Scabs" at this point. In fact we hadn't chanted much at all tbh?

Unless the acoustics in that ground are such that sound doesn't travel very well, the United fans were hardly noticeable. At one point the Forest fans were singing, "We're Nottingham Forest, we'll sing on our own". I've never know such a poor vocal effort from the Blades, who normally out-sing everyone.

Whether that had something to do with the football being played, I don't know. Forest looked shaky and nervous all over the park. We looked very composed by comparison, but, once again, some very poor decisions were being made at critical points in the game, particularly in and around the 18 yard box. Once again we were trying to over-play it in that area, trying to walk it in. And when we weren't doing that the final ball was just awful. There was one in the second half where Freeman got through to the by-line - we had men in the 6 yard box and all he had to do was cross it to them from about 6 yards away. He wasn't under pressure either, all the time in the world and...soft one, straight to their keeper.

To be honest, Freeman had a very poor game imo - he should have gone off long before he did. Cranie did o.k. in slotting in and right back, but we missed Basham's foraging runs down the right. Why on earth he dropped McGoldrick after that 3 of Clarke, Sharp and McGoldrick worked so well last week I really don't know. If it was for Coutt's benefit then it didn't work. Coutts was average throughout and looks off the pace to me - which is to be expected perhaps - but don't waste a first team shirt on him then until he's ready. We improved enormously when he went off and McGoldrick came on.

I think the most concerning thing was we didn't have a clear attempt on goal in the entire match. And Forest were poor, really, they were. I bet they couldn't believe how easily they got let off the hook.

In the crowd their fans were singing "Aitor Karanka, take us to the Premiership" or summat like that, constantly throughout the game. I thought that was interesting in itself. It's a totally different mentality to most Blades fans. Forest have an average side and their fans are expecting success. We've got a good side, albeit a bit short in some areas, and we daren't even talk about top 6 in case it doesn't happen!

On the long walk back into town I heard a bloke (a Forest fan) teaching his little daughter (she must have been about 6) to sing, "who the fuckin' hell are you?", lovely eh? And I heard many references to "Yorkshire scum". I don't think they like us you know? It's a pity we didn't play better and give them even more reason, that's all I can say.

Definitely acoustics / depends where you sat. I heard nothing from Forest until thy scored.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

On the long walk back into town I heard a bloke (a Forest fan) teaching his little daughter (she must have been about 6) to sing, "who the fuckin' hell are you?", lovely eh? .

*shakes head at the sadness of this, whilst failing to be surprised any more*

 

[snootyfenooty]

I sat in the same sort of area to you last season there and on that occasion the blades were very loud, particularly at 1-0 up. Must’ve just been the performance.

Echo your thoughts on Freeman having a poor game. Usually prefer him to Baldock, but he just looked fucked all game yesterday and was entirely at fault for their goal.

Freeman has looked fucked every time he's played. Seems he's carrying quite a bit more timber than he used to. Baldock is preferable in that positon to me anyhow, seems a lot more capable doing the full back duties.

 

[sitwell]

Utd fans were very vocal from the away end ,especially the ' 6 years' song ,and never heard the Forest all game ,it must be the acoustics. Couple of good songs on the tannoy before kick off ,Born slippy and Enter the Sandman which they came out to descended into Mull of Kintyre.

 

[sitwell]

I sat amongst the Forest fans at the match yesterday. Bridgford Upper. Right above where the Blades were housed. It was the only way I could get to see the game, having left it late to buy my ticket. Here's what I witnessed...

A song that I haven't heard chanted for a few years. "Sign on, sign on, with a pen, in your hand, and you'll never work again, you'll never work again". That goes back to the 1980's when unemployment was high and the Miner's strike was in full swing. It is obviously their response to our "Scabs" chant - but we hadn't chanted "Scabs" at this point. In fact we hadn't chanted much at all tbh?

Unless the acoustics in that ground are such that sound doesn't travel very well, the United fans were hardly noticeable. At one point the Forest fans were singing, "We're Nottingham Forest, we'll sing on our own". I've never know such a poor vocal effort from the Blades, who normally out-sing everyone.

Whether that had something to do with the football being played, I don't know. Forest looked shaky and nervous all over the park. We looked very composed by comparison, but, once again, some very poor decisions were being made at critical points in the game, particularly in and around the 18 yard box. Once again we were trying to over-play it in that area, trying to walk it in. And when we weren't doing that the final ball was just awful. There was one in the second half where Freeman got through to the by-line - we had men in the 6 yard box and all he had to do was cross it to them from about 6 yards away. He wasn't under pressure either, all the time in the world and...soft one, straight to their keeper.

To be honest, Freeman had a very poor game imo - he should have gone off long before he did. Cranie did o.k. in slotting in and right back, but we missed Basham's foraging runs down the right. Why on earth he dropped McGoldrick after that 3 of Clarke, Sharp and McGoldrick worked so well last week I really don't know. If it was for Coutt's benefit then it didn't work. Coutts was average throughout and looks off the pace to me - which is to be expected perhaps - but don't waste a first team shirt on him then until he's ready. We improved enormously when he went off and McGoldrick came on.

I think the most concerning thing was we didn't have a clear attempt on goal in the entire match. And Forest were poor, really, they were. I bet they couldn't believe how easily they got let off the hook.

In the crowd their fans were singing "Aitor Karanka, take us to the Premiership" or summat like that, constantly throughout the game. I thought that was interesting in itself. It's a totally different mentality to most Blades fans. Forest have an average side and their fans are expecting success. We've got a good side, albeit a bit short in some areas, and we daren't even talk about top 6 in case it doesn't happen!

On the long walk back into town I heard a bloke (a Forest fan) teaching his little daughter (she must have been about 6) to sing, "who the fuckin' hell are you?", lovely eh? And I heard many references to "Yorkshire scum". I don't think they like us you know? It's a pity we didn't play better and give them even more reason, that's all I can say.

Disagree about Coutts ,thought he was our biggest threat ,his passing was much better than Fleck and especially Norwood who gave the ball away endlessly. Biggest disappointments were Freeman and Clarke who were both frankly terrible. Best of the bunch were Sharp ,Oconnell and the excellent Egan.

 

[Lane Ender]

Disagree about Coutts ,thought he was our biggest threat ,his passing was much better than Fleck and especially Norwood who gave the ball away endlessly. Biggest disappointments were Freeman and Clarke who were both frankly terrible. Best of the bunch were Sharp ,Oconnell and the excellent Egan.

Egan will be the key player this season great signing.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Disagree about Coutts ,thought he was our biggest threat ,his passing was much better than Fleck and especially Norwood who gave the ball away endlessly. Biggest disappointments were Freeman and Clarke who were both frankly terrible. Best of the bunch were Sharp ,Oconnell and the excellent Egan.

Jusr out of interest
Why was Clarke terrible and Sharp wasn't?

 

[Snowman]

I sat in the same sort of area to you last season there and on that occasion the blades were very loud, particularly at 1-0 up. Must’ve just been the performance.

Echo your thoughts on Freeman having a poor game. Usually prefer him to Baldock, but he just looked fucked all game yesterday and was entirely at fault for their goal.

Last two home games, I have noticed Freeman labouring from around 60 mins. So much so that I wonder if he is ill. Certainly not looking the sleek toned athlete of two seasons ago. Maybe needs a rest.

 

[SwissBlade]

Someone behind me remarked that they first started singing 26 mins in. Other than the "sign on" song at kick off i didn't hear them until that 26th min. They were really quiet before this and we were singing in our own for that first half hour.

After that they sang a bit. They were pretty loud when they did sing, but they don't really maintain it

That was the quietest its been at an away game for a while

 

[Rob86]

Must be the acoustics.

I was sat behind the dugouts and hardly heard the Blades at all. I mentioned this to some Blades we bumped into afterwards who disagreed. A few Forest fans also said it was better support than usual from them, which is how I heard it, admittedly sat amongst them.

The game was very uneventful and the game would always hinge on a piece of good play or a mistake, unfortunately we didn’t get in dangerous positions enough to swing it our way. 0-0 would have been the correct result in my opinion.

 

[Carlton Blade]

I dint care whst anyone says, Freeman looked knackered after 60 minutes against Stoke. He needed a break. We've got a capable back up. Instead, he now looks like he's run himself into the ground, just like Stevens last year

 

[Fulwood Blade]

A song that I haven't heard chanted for a few years. "Sign on, sign on, with a pen, in your hand, and you'll never work again, you'll never work again". That goes back to the 1980's when unemployment was high and the Miner's strike was in full swing. It is obviously their response to our "Scabs" chant - but we hadn't chanted "Scabs" at this point. In fact we hadn't chanted much at all tbh?

To be fair Cerbs, I have heard it from "some" Forest fans at the lane. Sitting in the middle of SS, you can hear the way fans. Not all sing it - reckon a lot just want to move on. For me that song at the Lane , is always AFTER the kop starts the chant of scab. The only question is how long it takes the Blades to sing it - normally it's seconds - last season from memory it was about 2 minute into the game.

UTB

 

[AWetFlannel]

Me and my dad were sat in the Brian Clough upper tier.

Barely heard the blades all game, which was difficult because I was desperate to chant and it sounded like none of us were. Most likely due to giving us fuck all tickets, maybe the top loyalty point fans aren't the most vocal?

 

[sitwell]

Jusr out of interest
Why was Clarke terrible and Sharp wasn't?

Sharp put the effort in ,took up good positions ,held the ball up ,was proactive rather than reactive ,an 8 out of 10 rather than Clarkes 2.

 

[Fanny magnet]

Sharp put the effort in ,took up good positions ,held the ball up ,was proactive rather than reactive ,an 8 out of 10 rather than Clarkes 2.

I wasnt at the game ,was genuinely interested

 

[sitwell]

Me and my dad were sat in the Brian Clough upper tier.

Barely heard the blades all game, which was difficult because I was desperate to chant and it sounded like none of us were. Most likely due to giving us fuck all tickets, maybe the top loyalty point fans aren't the most vocal?

Plenty of singing on the concourse ,before the game ,the actual game deflated us a bit I think.

 

[Topplayersleave]

I have only met four Forest fans in my entire life
The first one was the production manager at a company I worked for when I was 17
He was a horrible, racist, vindictive, evil cunt. Sorry but there is no other description for him

He got promoted and went elsewhere after I'd been there for about 6 months

He was replaced by somebody else from Nottingham.

Turns out he was a Forest fan too

He was a horrible, racist, vindictive, evil cunt

He wrangled a job for his daughter, a Forest fan too, she worked in our department and she was a horrible, racist, vindictive, evil cunt.

After leaving that company I worked in the Manchester area for many years, I even moved there.

The Manchester company expanded into the Sheffield area and I was sent home.

The manager of the Sheffield branch was from Nottingham, and yes, you've guessed it, he was a Forest fan

He was a horrible, racist, vindictive, evil cunt.
I lasted two weeks and went self employed and been self employed ever since

They say not everybody's the same, but they're a very weird bunch

 

[Deadbat]

Someone behind me remarked that they first started singing 26 mins in. Other than the "sign on" song at kick off i didn't hear them until that 26th min. They were really quiet before this and we were singing in our own for that first half hour.

After that they sang a bit. They were pretty loud when they did sing, but they don't really maintain it

That was the quietest its been at an away game for a while

I thought other than a few songs in the concourse that it was really quiet in the away end. It was a lot noisier last season.

 

[The Boy Wonder]

I was in Brian Clough stand Lower Tier,Never known Blades Fans so quiet at an away game,Bit Embarrassing tbh..

 

[Wards]

We were surprised how quiet the fans were yesterday, atmosphere was awful in the area we were stood. Heard their lot making plenty of noise though.

 

[finlaytheblade]

I dint care whst anyone says, Freeman looked knackered after 60 minutes against Stoke. He needed a break. We've got a capable back up. Instead, he now looks like he's run himself into the ground, just like Stevens last year

The players are Waring GPS vests so stats will have shown whether Freeman is knackered or not,no hiding place for a player in today's game

 

[Carlton Blade]

The players are Waring GPS vests so stats will have shown whether Freeman is knackered or not,no hiding place for a player in today's game

It's showing in his end product and his concentration. Both have dropped off in the last few weeks

 

[northsomersetblade]

I had the same joyful experience last year...the Blades fans were singing but they were hard to hear...I totally agree that the Forest fans are an odd lot. It was like they were all in their own bubble, still intact since Brian Clough and the European cup. One twat behind me shouted 'boot it' everytime a Forest player got the ball in that awful Nottingham accent. It was very hard work sitting there quietly I can tell you and double meh at the end slinking out afterwards.

 

[Grey Blade]

I was at the back of the Blades fans and I thought the Blades made plenty of noise until we went a goal down. Personally I didn't hear much from the Forest fans until they scored. I was adjacent to some Lads( not many born much before the year 2000) who started the scab chant just before kick off and repeatedly hurled abuse at the Forest fans throughout the game. I know they regard it as banter, but I did wonder whether these Lads should put a bit more effort into supporting rather than abusing.

It was similar at Derby. I was standing behind 6 Lads who had squeezed into 5 seats. One of the Lads was absolutely plastered and before kick off was slumped in his seat, whilst his mates hurled abuse at the Derby fans repeatedly. About 30 minutes in, still slumped in his seat, the legless one spewed up all over the seats in front, his mates took great delight in filming proceedings. One of the mates dragged him away - not to be seen again, and the remaining ones spent the rest of the game goading and abusing the Derby fans. An unfortunate Derby employee spent half time cleaning up the mess.

 

[Minty]

I was adjacent to some Lads( not many born much before the year 2000) who started the scab chant just before kick off and repeatedly hurled abuse at the Forest fans throughout the game. I know they regard it as banter, but I did wonder whether these Lads should put a bit more effort into supporting rather than abusing.

It was similar at Derby. I was standing behind 6 Lads who had squeezed into 5 seats.

And these young lads all have 40.000 + loyalty points?

 

[Ceasefire]

I sat amongst the Forest fans at the match yesterday. Bridgford Upper. Right above where the Blades were housed. It was the only way I could get to see the game, having left it late to buy my ticket. Here's what I witnessed...

A song that I haven't heard chanted for a few years. "Sign on, sign on, with a pen, in your hand, and you'll never work again, you'll never work again". That goes back to the 1980's when unemployment was high and the Miner's strike was in full swing. It is obviously their response to our "Scabs" chant - but we hadn't chanted "Scabs" at this point. In fact we hadn't chanted much at all tbh?

Unless the acoustics in that ground are such that sound doesn't travel very well, the United fans were hardly noticeable. At one point the Forest fans were singing, "We're Nottingham Forest, we'll sing on our own". I've never know such a poor vocal effort from the Blades, who normally out-sing everyone.

Whether that had something to do with the football being played, I don't know. Forest looked shaky and nervous all over the park. We looked very composed by comparison, but, once again, some very poor decisions were being made at critical points in the game, particularly in and around the 18 yard box. Once again we were trying to over-play it in that area, trying to walk it in. And when we weren't doing that the final ball was just awful. There was one in the second half where Freeman got through to the by-line - we had men in the 6 yard box and all he had to do was cross it to them from about 6 yards away. He wasn't under pressure either, all the time in the world and...soft one, straight to their keeper.

To be honest, Freeman had a very poor game imo - he should have gone off long before he did. Cranie did o.k. in slotting in and right back, but we missed Basham's foraging runs down the right. Why on earth he dropped McGoldrick after that 3 of Clarke, Sharp and McGoldrick worked so well last week I really don't know. If it was for Coutt's benefit then it didn't work. Coutts was average throughout and looks off the pace to me - which is to be expected perhaps - but don't waste a first team shirt on him then until he's ready. We improved enormously when he went off and McGoldrick came on.

I think the most concerning thing was we didn't have a clear attempt on goal in the entire match. And Forest were poor, really, they were. I bet they couldn't believe how easily they got let off the hook.

In the crowd their fans were singing "Aitor Karanka, take us to the Premiership" or summat like that, constantly throughout the game. I thought that was interesting in itself. It's a totally different mentality to most Blades fans. Forest have an average side and their fans are expecting success. We've got a good side, albeit a bit short in some areas, and we daren't even talk about top 6 in case it doesn't happen!

On the long walk back into town I heard a bloke (a Forest fan) teaching his little daughter (she must have been about 6) to sing, "who the fuckin' hell are you?", lovely eh? And I heard many references to "Yorkshire scum". I don't think they like us you know? It's a pity we didn't play better and give them even more reason, that's all I can say.

Totally agree Cerebus. 5 of us were sat in Bridgford Upper above our fans and all of us commented about the poor vocal support from our fans. Mind you as you so eraditely posted the game was shiiite.

 

[FatLadFromSheffield]

Must be the acoustics.

I was sat behind the dugouts and hardly heard the Blades at all. I mentioned this to some Blades we bumped into afterwards who disagreed. A few Forest fans also said it was better support than usual from them, which is how I heard it, admittedly sat amongst them.

The game was very uneventful and the game would always hinge on a piece of good play or a mistake, unfortunately we didn’t get in dangerous positions enough to swing it our way. 0-0 would have been the correct result in my opinion.

Agree with you. I was sat about 10 seats away from our fans and didn't hear much at all from us, forest fans did sing a lot and my mate said the same that they were singing more than they normally do. Said just before HT that whichever team scores first will win.

I noticed our CB's didn't get forward as much, maybe they cancelled that out tactically. Other than that I didn't notice much else, 0-0 would have been the fair result and the forest fans around me agreed.

 

[WhiteHawk]

Thought it was pretty poor in the away end TBH. Granted, it wasn't completely silent, but it wasn't brilliant. The 'Six Years' song got a decent outing but that's fucking shit cause it's completely wrong, we spent 6 years in Division Three, not Division One. Barely heard the Forest fans either though.

Love that they come out to Enter Sandman