Nottingham Forest rounded off their pre-season matches with a 6-1 thrashing of Second Division Rushden and Diamonds.
David Johnson, the First Division's top scorer last season, netted four times which should boost confidence ahead of the opening game at The City Ground against Sunderland in front of the Sky cameras.
His strike partner Marlon Harewood also got on the scoresheet after coming on as a substitute. Marlon has so much ability but it has always been his consistency that lets him down. If he can equal his twenty goals that he snatched last season then Paul Hart will be a happy man.
Irish winger Brian Cash opened the scoring against Rushden and seems to be fighting for a first-team place this season following a long spell in the reserves. His trickery and natural width could become a great asset.
Fellow Irishman Andy Reid managed to find the net during the 3-3 draw against Scunthorpe and also scored the first against Ajax showing the consistancy he showed after Christmas last season. A good pre-season under his belt will do him the world of good and could we be seeing a full cap for Ireland this year?
Although we've lost Riccy Scimeca, Darren Huckerby, Jack Lester, Jim Brennan and Jon Olav Hjelde, Paul Hart has secured the loan signing of Manchester United's Michael Stewart and I expect young Wes Morgan to compete with the likes of Des Walker, Michael Dawson and John Thompson for the centre-back positions.
Davy Oyen will replace the void left by Jim Brennan who joined Norwich on a bosman free transfer providing he stays clear of injuries which have so far plagued the Belgium left-back.
Squad depth is certainly a problem but Hart has already indicated that a couple more players will be required. Bryn Gunarsson and Danny Sonner have jumped aboard and I'm sure more may well follow throughout the course of the season.
Eoin Jess and Eugen Bopp could both find themselves with a run in the first-team straight from the start and hopefully they'll grasp their chances. Bopp suffered from injuries last season and never really found his flow.
We all know Eoin Jess has no pace but his touch and killer passes could be invaluable for Forest this season and I fully expect him to fill Jack Lester's boots behind the front two.
Hopefully The Super Reds will get off to a flying start and the fans can play their part by being right behind the lads right from the beginning. The first three games - Sunderland, Reading and Cardiff are not easy ones but I believe Division One will be more open than in most years.
Sheffield United, West Ham, Forest, Ipswich, Reading, Derby, Sunderland, Norwich and West Brom are all capable of being up there but don't write off teams like Millwall, Watford and even Cardiff.
Lets hope last years tears will be tears of happiness come the end of this season.
David Johnson, the First Division's top scorer last season, netted four times which should boost confidence ahead of the opening game at The City Ground against Sunderland in front of the Sky cameras.
His strike partner Marlon Harewood also got on the scoresheet after coming on as a substitute. Marlon has so much ability but it has always been his consistency that lets him down. If he can equal his twenty goals that he snatched last season then Paul Hart will be a happy man.
Irish winger Brian Cash opened the scoring against Rushden and seems to be fighting for a first-team place this season following a long spell in the reserves. His trickery and natural width could become a great asset.
Fellow Irishman Andy Reid managed to find the net during the 3-3 draw against Scunthorpe and also scored the first against Ajax showing the consistancy he showed after Christmas last season. A good pre-season under his belt will do him the world of good and could we be seeing a full cap for Ireland this year?
Although we've lost Riccy Scimeca, Darren Huckerby, Jack Lester, Jim Brennan and Jon Olav Hjelde, Paul Hart has secured the loan signing of Manchester United's Michael Stewart and I expect young Wes Morgan to compete with the likes of Des Walker, Michael Dawson and John Thompson for the centre-back positions.
Davy Oyen will replace the void left by Jim Brennan who joined Norwich on a bosman free transfer providing he stays clear of injuries which have so far plagued the Belgium left-back.
Squad depth is certainly a problem but Hart has already indicated that a couple more players will be required. Bryn Gunarsson and Danny Sonner have jumped aboard and I'm sure more may well follow throughout the course of the season.
Eoin Jess and Eugen Bopp could both find themselves with a run in the first-team straight from the start and hopefully they'll grasp their chances. Bopp suffered from injuries last season and never really found his flow.
We all know Eoin Jess has no pace but his touch and killer passes could be invaluable for Forest this season and I fully expect him to fill Jack Lester's boots behind the front two.
Hopefully The Super Reds will get off to a flying start and the fans can play their part by being right behind the lads right from the beginning. The first three games - Sunderland, Reading and Cardiff are not easy ones but I believe Division One will be more open than in most years.
Sheffield United, West Ham, Forest, Ipswich, Reading, Derby, Sunderland, Norwich and West Brom are all capable of being up there but don't write off teams like Millwall, Watford and even Cardiff.
Lets hope last years tears will be tears of happiness come the end of this season.