Excitement builds as Pearce begins new era

Article by e-Nottingham Forest's Chris Cave

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As England once again failed to impress at a major tournament this summer, attentions of many supporters has returned to domestic football.

For Forest fans especially, however, there is an extra special buzz surrounding pre-season.

Football may not have come home, but Psycho has.

Despite not officially taking the reins at The City Ground until the start of July, Stuart Pearce has been busy working from afar on training schedules, preseason routines, and, perhaps most importantly, putting in place his backroom staff.

Pearce was quick to appoint Brain Eastick as first team coach – a man with over 30 years experience; as well as making former Forest winger Steve Wigley his number two.

In addition to that, this week has seen Pearce confirm ex-England international Tim Flowers as the club’s new goalkeeper coach and have brought in John Marshall as head of recruitment.

Not only do all these appointments boast impressive CVs, they also join with a wealth of coaching experience that will be nothing but beneficial to the playing staff at Forest.

Pearce has also proved how much preparation he had put in place prior to officially taking charge by conducting some early business in the transfer window.

The shrewd signing of Matty Fryatt from Premier League Hull City on a free transfer was confirmed just days after silencing a Sky Sports News presenter who suggested Forest supporters were concerned his media commitments were affecting his managerial duties.

Fryatt was closely followed by young Dutch striker Lars Veldwijk who was snapped up for an undisclosed fee from Excelsior. Veldwijk was absolutely lethal in the Dutch second tier last term, firing in 30 goals in 38 games as he helped Excelsior win promotion back to the Eredivisie.

By adding firepower to the Reds’ strike force, Pearce has recognised where Forest were lacking last season and demonstrated how much work he has put in since agreeing to become the new man in charge.

The buzz on Trentside is further enhanced by Psycho’s focus on youth.

Louis Laing has joined the growing contingent of young players in a squad that has an average age of just 26.

Blending the likes of Darlow, Lascelles, Osborn, Paterson and Lansbury with the experienced heads of Reid, Vaughan and Wilson ensures Forest will be a force to be reckoned this season.

It definitely seems as though Pearce is on his way to identifying the perfect balance of youth and experience that could be crucial when attempting to get the club back to the top tier of the English game.

The next month promises to go by as slowly as possible as we eagerly await the first competitive match of the Stuart Pearce revolution.

He’s galvanised the club from top to bottom and left us salivating at the thought of a team displaying the passion, commitment and energy that he himself showed in a red shirt.

The pictures of his first training session as Forest boss bred excitement into the mind of red dogs all over and reminded us why we love the club so much.

Psycho, ladies and gentlemen, is well and truly home.

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