So, here it is already? For the season that has seemed both a thousand years long and yet over to soon? Will this be a farewell to Wilf? Will we see some fireworks? Is Roy going to stay on next year? Who can say…
But something we can say for sure is that the Forest fans who head down to Palace will be bouncing, having achieved safety with a game to spare, both sides can enjoy a day out at Selhurst.
To hear how Forest fans are feeling about the weekend, and the season more broadly I caught up with lifelong Forest fan, Rex Walker.
TEB – So Rex, how are you feeling? Over the moon to be safe, or completely exhausted from the season?
RW – Like we won the league! Proud that Marinakis stuck with Steve Cooper and the fans stuck with the team all the way. A bit surprised it hasn’t gone all the way to the wire, but the relief is massive and probably adds to a bit of the excitement for next year.
TEB – Sounds really positive, overall what was the highlight of the season?
RW – Personally, it has been the way that the fans have been so relentlessly supportive. For pretty much all of my supporting life, the fans have been so quick to turn on players, managers, owners. I’ve always wished that we’d spend more time and energy getting behind the lads. This year we have, and it has paid off.
TEB – I remember the atmosphere at the City Ground when we were there just before the World Cup, I certainly think the Forest fans have played a major part.
TEB – I know the answer, but go on then, who’s been your player of the season?
RW – Easy. Gibbs-White. Almost everything good we do comes through him. He has created something like 64 chances, 229 passes into the box, 7 assists (if I had the motivation to watch the tape it was probably even more than this).
TEB – No doubt, and he seems to have improved as the season has gone on as well. What about the low point?
RW – The second half against Bournemouth at home in September. Coming off the back of getting humped at the Etihad were 2-0 up at half time and lost 2-3. Gut wrencher, that we all felt we needed something from, and then we went without a win for 7 games.
TEB – Looking to the summer, what are your key areas to strengthen?
RW – We need a keeper and personally I’m nervous about bringing Henderson back permanently. My priority would be getting in quality and nouse at the back – we’ve conceded so many late goals from good positions. I’m also damn sure we need a new medical team who can keep the players fit!
TEB – If I gave you a magic wand and said you could have any Palace player to join your team, who would it be?
RW – Guehi. He learned his trade under Cooper with both Swansea and England and if the bond pays off like it has with Gibbs-White we’d be laughing.
TEB – What is your prediction for thes match?
RW – Honestly, I couldn’t care less. You could do a right job on us, and I would still leave there the happiest bloke in the ground.
Cheers Rex, here’s to a great day out at Selhurst and onward success for both teams.