Jamie Carragher has laid into Nottingham Forest - claiming owner Evangelos Marinakis has turned the Tricky Trees into 'one of the most disliked' clubs in the Premier League.
The former Liverpool great has used the platform of his column in the Daily Telegraph to suggest that the actions of the Greek shipping magnate have shaped a narrative against the East Midlands club, tarnishing the late Brian Clough’s legacy.
Carragher alleged the division 'has a new pantomime villain' and said that Marinakis 'is a walking hand grenade', two facts which have led to a growing antipathy towards the club he owns. It’s heavy-handed criticism. And, to my mind, one doesn’t follow the other.
Tricky Trees Are Not Hated Due to Marinakis
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis
Taking the barbs one at a time, of course, Marinakis can be viewed as a pantomime villain. But it’s a stretch from there to suggest that Nottingham Forest are becoming hated because of him.
Carragher’s position centres upon Marinakis’s off-field behaviour, suggesting he’s dragging the Tricky Trees' name through the mud, making them the objects of ridicule by his actions. He has a point. Some of the former England international’s views have merit.
It’s not so long ago that Nottingham Forest issued a statement following a game at Goodison Park in which they were on the wrong end of a few decisions suggesting that the officials were, at best, below par and, at worst, compromised in their position due to their own club allegiances.
Was it distasteful? Yep. Did it show the Midlands club in a poor light? Absolutely. Was his subsequent appointment of former official Mark Clattenburg as a go-between, a conduit to form a better relationship between the Premier League and his club ill-advised?
Yes, that wasn’t his best move, either. It smacked of being a rank sore loser - someone unable, or unwilling, to accept poor and inconsistent refereeing decisions.
There is no conspiracy against any club. But is a whole fanbase going to be condemned for the actions of its owner? No, why should it be?
Again, the fact that Nottingham Forest were found to be in breach of the financial rules apparently has added to the level of hatred, according to Carragher.
He wrote: "For those who were relegated for staying within spending limits, you can understand why Forest’s means of staying up leaves such a bitter taste."
Again, not great. But they suffered a four-point deduction, took their medicine and moved on. Presumably, Everton should be disliked then, for the very same reason. Or Manchester City? Or Chelsea?
And as for the assertion that Marinakis’s behaviour over Crystal Palace’s inability to get their own administrative house in order after being thrown out of the Europa League, who can blame him? The Eagles were victims of their own downfall.
Personally, I didn’t want to see them demoted, particularly after their stunning FA Cup triumph. But someone, somewhere, either didn’t know UEFA's regulations over multi-club ownership or thought they didn’t apply to Crystal Palace.
What’s even more bizarre is that Nottingham Forest themselves could have fallen foul of the same problem. Yet they found a workaround. Their approach was publicised and STILL Crystal Palace didn’t take heed.
UEFA acted, as per their own rules, and Nottingham Forest subsequently sought to take advantage. The club wrote to UEFA, asking to be upgraded from the Conference League. Why wouldn’t they?
As everyone saw this summer, the Europa League is a very handy backdoor route into the Champions League. The club that won that competition last season - Tottenham Hotspur - finished 17th in the Premier League.
If Nottingham Forest had a chance of competing - and subsequently winning - the Europa League and returning to the big boys’ table, why wouldn’t they do that?
There’s a bucketful of cash on the table in the Champions League - the kind of money that allows clubs such as Carragher’s beloved Liverpool to use their own financial strength to bully others - like Newcastle United - forcing the Magpies into a position where their star forward Alexander Isak went AWOL to earn himself a better pay deal at Anfield. It's dog-eat-dog, football.
Brian Clough's Legacy Will Never be Tarnished
Brian Clough
Finally, it's worth pointing out a few things. First, that it’s doubtful in the extreme that anyone at Nottingham Forest really cares what fans of any other club think of them.
Secondly, Marinakis isn’t a wilting violet by any means. But the determination with which he has attacked life in the Premier League, trying to make as big a noise as possible, has attracted the respect of the Tricky Trees' support.
Lastly, mention must be made of the assertion this storm-in-a-tea cup will tarnish Clough’s legacy. It’s over 40 years since Nottingham Forest stunned the continent and won back-to-back European Cups. Nothing will ever tarnish Brian Clough’s legacy. And certainly not this.