MOTM Gareth McCleary
QPR v Forest
18/10/08 15:00 Category: Championship
The clock is ticking and time is surely running out for Calderwood if
the following two home games fail to provide a win. The crowd remained
fairly positive until the final whistle but there's little to keep them
on side at the moment. The support has been quite patient this season
but this might be one defeat too many.
Another change in formation saw us finally revert to a conventional 442
set-up and initially things looked promising. Anderson and McCleary
provided the width and tracked back to help out their full backs.
Fletcher in midfield provided the graft that has been badly lacking in
most games this season.
The first half wasn't that bad. For long spells we matched QPR and
looked much more structured and compact that at other times on our
travels. Neither sides created many chances but McCleary and Anderson
looked dangerous on the break and provided cause for optimism.
Things changed in the second half as QPR raised their game, took
advantage of poor defending and then sat back. As so often seen this
season, lapses in concentration are costing us badly and we find
ourselves unable to recover. Forest never really looked like scoring
apart from McGugan's quality freekick and Tyson's turn and shot that
required a smart low save.
Having defended pretty well in the first half, we undid all of the good
work with our inability to clear a couple of right wing throw-ins. The
first was flicked on and Smith with left with no chance with the first
time shot in off the bar. The second goal arrived after we failed to
clear another throw-in from the same area. The resulting shot from
outside the area came through a crowd of players and flew past Smith.
With the game drifting, Calderwood replaced Anderson and Fletcher with
Davies and McGugan. Cue boos and chants of "You don't know what you're
doing" from the travelling fans mostly due to Cole remaining on the
pitch. I didn't see the problem with the changes as Anderson had tired
badly and we needed McGugan's more attacking approach in midfield. The
biggest failure was not having an alternative centre forward on the
bench.
Forest struggled to make much impact going forward with Tyson and Cole
dominated throughout by the towering home centre backs. Cole in
particular just didn't look interested when we need everyone out on the
pitch to stand up and be counted. Chambers blasted one chance over the
bar but that was about it.
We finally scored and made the final stages interesting. Cohen won a
free kick 25 yards out and McGugan did the business with an excellent
curling strike into the top corner.
As soon as the goal went in, Morgan was pushed upfield to add numbers to
the forward line but to little real effect. We had a few corners but
never really came close to equalising.
The full backs looked more secure than usual with a winger in front of
them to provide cover and also the presence and covering of Fletcher.
Problems again at centre back where Morgan stills looks clumsy at this
level and Wilson a shadow of the assured defender that used to play for
us.
Fletcher impressed whilst on the pitch with his ability to cover back
for the defence whilst holding things together around him. Definitely
something we've been lacking since Moussi's form has dipped and a very
welcome addition to the squad.
Anderson looked sharp in the first half and showed the pace and direct
running that will give us a massive boost in the coming games.
MOTM McCleary was the one player who really stood out throughout,
carrying on his good recent form against Sheff Weds and Palace. Always
willing to take on the QPR defence and involved in most of the good
moves that we put together.
Tyson ran and ran for the side again and had very little support from
Cole alongside him. Cole himself put in an abject display and showed
very little interest in events around him.
With little chance of scoring combined with little chance of keeping a
clean sheet, we're always going to be in trouble.
If we were in mid-table and this type of performance was a one-off blip
then it wouldn't have been problem. However, the first half (at least)
was one of the better displays this season and it still wasn't good
enough. We've played some very average teams away from home this season
and have failed to take a single point from any of them.
the following two home games fail to provide a win. The crowd remained
fairly positive until the final whistle but there's little to keep them
on side at the moment. The support has been quite patient this season
but this might be one defeat too many.
Another change in formation saw us finally revert to a conventional 442
set-up and initially things looked promising. Anderson and McCleary
provided the width and tracked back to help out their full backs.
Fletcher in midfield provided the graft that has been badly lacking in
most games this season.
The first half wasn't that bad. For long spells we matched QPR and
looked much more structured and compact that at other times on our
travels. Neither sides created many chances but McCleary and Anderson
looked dangerous on the break and provided cause for optimism.
Things changed in the second half as QPR raised their game, took
advantage of poor defending and then sat back. As so often seen this
season, lapses in concentration are costing us badly and we find
ourselves unable to recover. Forest never really looked like scoring
apart from McGugan's quality freekick and Tyson's turn and shot that
required a smart low save.
Having defended pretty well in the first half, we undid all of the good
work with our inability to clear a couple of right wing throw-ins. The
first was flicked on and Smith with left with no chance with the first
time shot in off the bar. The second goal arrived after we failed to
clear another throw-in from the same area. The resulting shot from
outside the area came through a crowd of players and flew past Smith.
With the game drifting, Calderwood replaced Anderson and Fletcher with
Davies and McGugan. Cue boos and chants of "You don't know what you're
doing" from the travelling fans mostly due to Cole remaining on the
pitch. I didn't see the problem with the changes as Anderson had tired
badly and we needed McGugan's more attacking approach in midfield. The
biggest failure was not having an alternative centre forward on the
bench.
Forest struggled to make much impact going forward with Tyson and Cole
dominated throughout by the towering home centre backs. Cole in
particular just didn't look interested when we need everyone out on the
pitch to stand up and be counted. Chambers blasted one chance over the
bar but that was about it.
We finally scored and made the final stages interesting. Cohen won a
free kick 25 yards out and McGugan did the business with an excellent
curling strike into the top corner.
As soon as the goal went in, Morgan was pushed upfield to add numbers to
the forward line but to little real effect. We had a few corners but
never really came close to equalising.
The full backs looked more secure than usual with a winger in front of
them to provide cover and also the presence and covering of Fletcher.
Problems again at centre back where Morgan stills looks clumsy at this
level and Wilson a shadow of the assured defender that used to play for
us.
Fletcher impressed whilst on the pitch with his ability to cover back
for the defence whilst holding things together around him. Definitely
something we've been lacking since Moussi's form has dipped and a very
welcome addition to the squad.
Anderson looked sharp in the first half and showed the pace and direct
running that will give us a massive boost in the coming games.
MOTM McCleary was the one player who really stood out throughout,
carrying on his good recent form against Sheff Weds and Palace. Always
willing to take on the QPR defence and involved in most of the good
moves that we put together.
Tyson ran and ran for the side again and had very little support from
Cole alongside him. Cole himself put in an abject display and showed
very little interest in events around him.
With little chance of scoring combined with little chance of keeping a
clean sheet, we're always going to be in trouble.
If we were in mid-table and this type of performance was a one-off blip
then it wouldn't have been problem. However, the first half (at least)
was one of the better displays this season and it still wasn't good
enough. We've played some very average teams away from home this season
and have failed to take a single point from any of them.
|
Forest v Crystal Palace
04/10/08 15:00 Category: Championship
A thoroughly depressing result, which leaves us stranded at the bottom of the table. Palace were far from being a decent side but as with Tuesday night, we’re left frustrated at our inability to compete with even the very average teams in this league.
The team selection contained some surprises. Cole was very unlucky to be dropped after being at the heart of Tuesday’s better moments. Breckin and Lynch could also consider themselves hard done by to find themselves on the bench with Morgan, Martin and Moussi all recalled. McCleary received a deserved start after an encouraging display in mid-week.
We struggled to create many clear chances apart from a series of set pieces, which caused Palace problems all afternoon. Their keeper was barely tested in the second half when we should have been pushing them backwards at every opportunity.
Palace frustrated us for long spells through their cynical approach to the game and just bided their time until the inevitable Forest defensive mistake came along. When they arrived they took full advantage and never looked in too much trouble.
We started the game brightly with a succession of dangerous corners from Cohen. Bennett in particular found himself in some promising positions but was unable to convert.
Then Palace won a free-kick on the right hand side which found it’s way across the area for Ifill to score from 20 yards. A great strike but we should really have defended much better.
On half-time, McCleary worked a decent opening for Moussi to fire low across the goal but wide of the far post.
With Forest struggling to create any chances, Cole replaced Thornhill as we switched to 442. On this occasion, it had little effect as we continued to find ourselves frustrated by Palace and their antics.
Their second killed the game off with ten minutes to go. Wilson looked to have the situation under control when Smith came charging from his line. Kuqi simply brought the ball under control and lobbed the ball over Smith’s head. A terrible decision from our keeper who came racing from his line for no reason.
We forced a few chances from set pieces, with Bennett again the most prominent player. However, we created very little from open play throughout.
I’ve supported Morgan in the past but today he looked like a pub player, completely outclassed especially with the ball at his feet in the second half. Perch did enough during the game to suggest that he can make the right back position, solid and not a pressing problem.
Thornhill did reasonably well at Sheffield Wednesday but today he was anonymous and the game passed him by. Rightly replaced by Cole after an hour. Cohen was full of running, as ever, but failed to have quite the impact in recent weeks. Moussi looked to be getting some form back before an ankle injury forced him out of the game.
Martin has been transformed from a decent youngster with something to prove into a show-pony who doesn’t seem to realise that this is a team game. Time and again it was one unnecessary flick too many when a simple control and pass was required. A luxury we can’t afford to carry at the moment.
MOTM McCleary deserved his start following a promising performance on Tuesday and I didn’t think that he did too much wrong. Out of all the forwards, he was the one willing to get the ball on the floor and run at the opposition. Some of the final balls could have been better but a promising display and something to build on.
Tyson ran and ran but never looked like scoring. Cole made a difference for the last half hour and should have started the game. He was lucky not to get sent off for a blatant elbow against one of their players as the frustration grew.
We should scrap the continued use of 3 midfielders in an attempt to match the opposition and prevent ourselves from being outnumbered in midfield. Play 4 or 5 across midfield using wingers to provide support to the full backs. We need to make ourselves difficult to beat and then work forwards from there.
A couple of fresh faces are desperately required, especially in midfield if Moussi is going to be missing for any length of time. With the current squad, the only option would be to revert Perch back into midfield and re-instate Chambers. This just isn’t going to work. It’s easier said than done but we lack experienced, solid players in defence and midfield. There is talent in the squad but there is a balance missing at the moment, which we need to compete.
We need to be more organised and structured in our approach to games. Whilst some of our approach play has been entertaining this season it just isn’t effective enough.
Two weeks without a league game might have just come at the right time.
The team selection contained some surprises. Cole was very unlucky to be dropped after being at the heart of Tuesday’s better moments. Breckin and Lynch could also consider themselves hard done by to find themselves on the bench with Morgan, Martin and Moussi all recalled. McCleary received a deserved start after an encouraging display in mid-week.
We struggled to create many clear chances apart from a series of set pieces, which caused Palace problems all afternoon. Their keeper was barely tested in the second half when we should have been pushing them backwards at every opportunity.
Palace frustrated us for long spells through their cynical approach to the game and just bided their time until the inevitable Forest defensive mistake came along. When they arrived they took full advantage and never looked in too much trouble.
We started the game brightly with a succession of dangerous corners from Cohen. Bennett in particular found himself in some promising positions but was unable to convert.
Then Palace won a free-kick on the right hand side which found it’s way across the area for Ifill to score from 20 yards. A great strike but we should really have defended much better.
On half-time, McCleary worked a decent opening for Moussi to fire low across the goal but wide of the far post.
With Forest struggling to create any chances, Cole replaced Thornhill as we switched to 442. On this occasion, it had little effect as we continued to find ourselves frustrated by Palace and their antics.
Their second killed the game off with ten minutes to go. Wilson looked to have the situation under control when Smith came charging from his line. Kuqi simply brought the ball under control and lobbed the ball over Smith’s head. A terrible decision from our keeper who came racing from his line for no reason.
We forced a few chances from set pieces, with Bennett again the most prominent player. However, we created very little from open play throughout.
I’ve supported Morgan in the past but today he looked like a pub player, completely outclassed especially with the ball at his feet in the second half. Perch did enough during the game to suggest that he can make the right back position, solid and not a pressing problem.
Thornhill did reasonably well at Sheffield Wednesday but today he was anonymous and the game passed him by. Rightly replaced by Cole after an hour. Cohen was full of running, as ever, but failed to have quite the impact in recent weeks. Moussi looked to be getting some form back before an ankle injury forced him out of the game.
Martin has been transformed from a decent youngster with something to prove into a show-pony who doesn’t seem to realise that this is a team game. Time and again it was one unnecessary flick too many when a simple control and pass was required. A luxury we can’t afford to carry at the moment.
MOTM McCleary deserved his start following a promising performance on Tuesday and I didn’t think that he did too much wrong. Out of all the forwards, he was the one willing to get the ball on the floor and run at the opposition. Some of the final balls could have been better but a promising display and something to build on.
Tyson ran and ran but never looked like scoring. Cole made a difference for the last half hour and should have started the game. He was lucky not to get sent off for a blatant elbow against one of their players as the frustration grew.
We should scrap the continued use of 3 midfielders in an attempt to match the opposition and prevent ourselves from being outnumbered in midfield. Play 4 or 5 across midfield using wingers to provide support to the full backs. We need to make ourselves difficult to beat and then work forwards from there.
A couple of fresh faces are desperately required, especially in midfield if Moussi is going to be missing for any length of time. With the current squad, the only option would be to revert Perch back into midfield and re-instate Chambers. This just isn’t going to work. It’s easier said than done but we lack experienced, solid players in defence and midfield. There is talent in the squad but there is a balance missing at the moment, which we need to compete.
We need to be more organised and structured in our approach to games. Whilst some of our approach play has been entertaining this season it just isn’t effective enough.
Two weeks without a league game might have just come at the right time.