The reason for Angry Bill’s ongoing rage is obvious.
For Billy Davies, the world and all of its elements are orbiting Billy Davies.
It is an uncompromising system of attack from a man whose success lies in relentlessly expecting the worst.
Every kick, every slide tackle, every cough and every splutter is a potential plaudit in his name. Likewise they hold the key to his downfall.
By January he saw glory and adulation within snatching distance. He heard the lauding of his name, tasted the satisfaction of proving critics wrong, revelled in the absolution for ‘that bloke from down the A50’.
In his mind the riches were stripped gracelessly from him by a lack of ambition from above.
Of course, he has a point. Three new signings at a cost of around £4m would probably have carried us over the finishing line - and he wants everybody to know about it.
I can almost see him on the Wembley turf, head cocked sideways to the camera, enthusiastically blaming defeat on ‘missed opportunities to strengthen’ and our ‘learning’ side.
It’s a symptom of a Billy Davies management, and one that endures in its appeal to those who grew exasperated to fury at Colin Calderwood’s meagre grovelling.
Another symptom is points growing on trees. Games like today’s would so often have ended in defeat under previous regimes, but the current Forest side has fostered the ability to spring a surprise.
It was a miserably wet afternoon. Heavy, oppressive and muggy, with bad smells lingering in the air. The match was a chore to watch and, evidently, a chore to play.
Peterborough were slow to start and looked every inch a League One side. But when our opening goal was out of the way they broke out of their chains and had a real go.
We defended both wings poorly, inviting attack, and our own advances were all too frequently into blind alleys and cul-de-sacs.
It was a non-event, sodden by teeming rain and further dampened with bickering and poor performances across the board.
But it was three points.
Everything is pointing towards another season in the Championship, but as long as Billy is at the helm there remains a distinct possibility that something ridiculous will happen.
His sides invariably have that ballistic capability.
He’s a miserable bugger and needs to stop moaning. But after all, the world does revolve around him...
Ratings:
Camp – 8 – a string of excellent saves to keep us in the match
Gunter – 6.5 – scrappy and got forward often, but he was too easy to pass at times.
Morgan – 7.5 – bison-esque, including trying to head a ball that was literally on the ground. The striker’s foot just bounced off his chops.
Wilson – 7.5 – a solid performance.
Perch – 6 – oh well, we’ll have to sign a left back on loan then... I wouldn’t be surprised if the outward hobble was scripted.
Anderson – 7.5 – at times he was our only outlet, despite having to feed on scraps.
Moussi – 6 – did a fairly good job of keeping things ticking over, but under Billy he seems to have been put on the leash. The livewire 75-yard crosses and miraculous wriggles have been replaced by an altogether more sensible Moose. I’m not sure I like it.
Majewski – 7.5 – always had a pass ready. Another individually competent performance in a midfield system that flopped. He and Moussi were too far apart, but he had a good game.
Cohen – 7 – the usual blood, guts and thunder.
Blackstock – 7 – a handful throughout, but no cutting edge.
Earnshaw – 7 – lively enough, stunted by his selfishness at times but he notched the winner.
Subs:
Chambers – 6
McCleary – 7
Adebola – 6.5
