Drinking with my mate who’s a Nottingham Forest fan – I told him to reel in the Champions League smugness | OneFootball

I have always loved the Boxing Day fixtures and this one was a Christmas cracker, refereeing decisions and VAR adding to the spice.

European champions is the cry from Aston Villa, just as the self-entitled shouting from Nottingham Forest fans, with the two little stars above their badge, as if history somehow gives them a divine status and right to be at the top table.

Nottingham Forest are in the mix for Champions League after spells in the lower divisions and the embarrassment of being in the same division as the made up team that is MK Dons.

Credit where credit is due though and after the sterling work of Steve Cooper, Nuno is doing a decent Job.

Having said all that, my mate from Burnley who lives in Nottingham, can’t stand the crowing coming from the red half of Notts.

On Boxing Day I was having a few beers with my Forest mate who like me, now lives in London. Same age as me and two kids he has managed to indoctrinate into supporting his team (I stand guilty of the same).

This is where a bit of self-reflection is required.

Just like me he takes his kids up from London to watch Forest when he can get a ticket. Sounds familiar.

There are some parallels between Forest and Newcastle.

Both teams have financial backing but are being frustrated by the bogus rules brought in to maintain the status quo. Forest managed to acquire the Geordie Maradona thanks to these strange financial rulings, while we acquired a third rate goalkeeper with no magical powers associated with Greek mythology and story telling. A player that we do not need.

Nottingham Forest had a points deduction last season because of the new rules. Which raises the eyebrows of everyone who watches football, whilst Chelsea and Man City run fast and loose.

So to the next part of the festive football.

Old Trafford. Been there a few times and in their end as well. Never seen us win but am ever hopeful that we can get the points this time and add to the downward spiral which is the red part of Manchester.

As I said to my Forest mate Mister Haddock, you can stick your two stars on your badge up your backside. Clogger Ryan Yates is not Champions League. It is the next game that counts and you aint got Champions League yet, so reel in the smugness and let us enjoy the New Year. Where I predict top four for Newcastle and Notts Forest having a valiant end of season battle for a European place.