MOTM Ian Breckin
Forest v Crystal Palace
28/10/08 20:00 Category: Championship
What a difference a win makes!
Instead of looking forward to Sunday with
dread, this win sets us up nicely. Great team performance showing all
the attributes that have been missing too often this season, especially
away from home. Using four (and sometimes five) in midfield restricted
Palace to long range efforts and allowed us to break with numbers
through the pace of McCleary and Tyson.
With injuries sustained against Cardiff, Breckin and Chambers were
restored to the defence with Perch in midfield and Earnshaw supported by
Garner up front. At times, Garner dropped back into midfield leaving
Earnshaw further forward.
We started well and pushed Palace back in the early stages. Earnshaw
should have scored when he turned their defence but allowed their keeper
the chance to save. Palace came back into the game but we continued to
look bright and attack whenever possible.
The opening goal repaid some of the misfortune we've suffered this
season. Cohen's free kick wide on the right missed everyone and flew
past the keeper and into the far corner.
The rest of the first half passed without too many scares apart from one
incident with a shot narrowly wide of the far post. As half-time
approached, Earnshaw found himself through on goal but his effort didn't
cause their keeper too many problems.
Palace came out of the second half looking determined to make amends for
their first half performance and missed a few half chances. Then, having
survived a succession of set pieces, they scored from out of the blue. A
free kick wrongly awarded against Tyson for shirt pulling (which should
have been in our favour) was lumped up to Kuqi, who beat Breckin to the
ball and scored from outside the area with Camp slightly unsighted.
Our heads went down for a short while and we looked likely to settle for
a point at best. Then substitutes Tyson and Thornhill started to get
into the game and were pushing forward at every opportunity. If Tyson
had some composure and awareness to match his speed, we'd have won 4-1
but time and again he found himself clear of their defence but failed to
spot a better placed team-mate. Thornhill in particular suffered after
making long runs from midfield watching Tyson shoot weakly against their
defenders.
Finally we made that all important break through. Their keeper made a
close range save, followed by a scramble with Palace unable to clear
until Thornhill slid in to force the ball over the line when it seemed
the chance had gone.
McGugan had the chance to seal the game when finally put through by
Tyson but scuffed his shot straight at the keeper.
Camp showed again the positive attitude to the game that we've been
missing. Decisive when coming to claim crosses and didn't put a foot
wrong throughout. The frequent indecision and panic from our defence
hasn't been as apparent since his arrival to the club.
The most impressive part of the evening was the performances of MOTM
Breckin and Morgan and the heart of the defence. The only header that
Breckin missed led to the goal for the rest of the game he was
outstanding and led by example. Every corner and free kick saw him
rising highest to clear. Alongside him, Morgan supported him at every
opportunity to keep Kuqi quiet and we didn't miss the injured Wilson at
all.
Chambers looked slightly suspect at times but better than previously in
the season especially with someone playing directly in front of him to
help out. Lynch also dealt well with the Palace threat down their right
hand side and made numerous sliding blocks to prevent crosses reaching
their target.
In midfield, Cohen was back to his normal self, looking full of running
and contributing at both ends of the pitch. I wouldn't necessarily play
him on the right hand side but he just seemed to be everywhere. McCleary
started nervously down the left but as the game progressed he just gets
better and better as each game passes. Never lacking in confidence or a
willingness to work harder even if things weren't going his way. Time
and again he found space to provide a decent cross from the left but
without anyone on the end to take advantage. Even Perch looked
comfortable in midfield showing the form that he started this season
with. Winning numerous headers and keeping things simple on the floor.
McGugan always looked capable of creating chances and the one to take
really advantage of the movement around him.
Garner showed his obviously qualities switching between partnering
Earnshaw and then dropping deep to support the midfield. He looks a
proper footballer, decent first touch, good awareness and able to pick
out a pass. Earnshaw worked himself into the ground, missed a couple of
chances but the sharpness is coming back.
Assuming we continue to play four in midfield, regardless of personnel,
things will improve. This gives extra protection to the full-backs and
provides options wide when were are in possession. There is enough pace
in this side from Tyson, McCleary and Anderson in particular to break
from deep positions without having to leave three up field constantly.
If we continue in this vein for the forthcoming games then the doubts
surrounding Calderwood position should quickly be dispelled. It's only
one game but there were enough positives to take from an all round team
performance to suggest that we still have a chance this season.
Instead of looking forward to Sunday with
dread, this win sets us up nicely. Great team performance showing all
the attributes that have been missing too often this season, especially
away from home. Using four (and sometimes five) in midfield restricted
Palace to long range efforts and allowed us to break with numbers
through the pace of McCleary and Tyson.
With injuries sustained against Cardiff, Breckin and Chambers were
restored to the defence with Perch in midfield and Earnshaw supported by
Garner up front. At times, Garner dropped back into midfield leaving
Earnshaw further forward.
We started well and pushed Palace back in the early stages. Earnshaw
should have scored when he turned their defence but allowed their keeper
the chance to save. Palace came back into the game but we continued to
look bright and attack whenever possible.
The opening goal repaid some of the misfortune we've suffered this
season. Cohen's free kick wide on the right missed everyone and flew
past the keeper and into the far corner.
The rest of the first half passed without too many scares apart from one
incident with a shot narrowly wide of the far post. As half-time
approached, Earnshaw found himself through on goal but his effort didn't
cause their keeper too many problems.
Palace came out of the second half looking determined to make amends for
their first half performance and missed a few half chances. Then, having
survived a succession of set pieces, they scored from out of the blue. A
free kick wrongly awarded against Tyson for shirt pulling (which should
have been in our favour) was lumped up to Kuqi, who beat Breckin to the
ball and scored from outside the area with Camp slightly unsighted.
Our heads went down for a short while and we looked likely to settle for
a point at best. Then substitutes Tyson and Thornhill started to get
into the game and were pushing forward at every opportunity. If Tyson
had some composure and awareness to match his speed, we'd have won 4-1
but time and again he found himself clear of their defence but failed to
spot a better placed team-mate. Thornhill in particular suffered after
making long runs from midfield watching Tyson shoot weakly against their
defenders.
Finally we made that all important break through. Their keeper made a
close range save, followed by a scramble with Palace unable to clear
until Thornhill slid in to force the ball over the line when it seemed
the chance had gone.
McGugan had the chance to seal the game when finally put through by
Tyson but scuffed his shot straight at the keeper.
Camp showed again the positive attitude to the game that we've been
missing. Decisive when coming to claim crosses and didn't put a foot
wrong throughout. The frequent indecision and panic from our defence
hasn't been as apparent since his arrival to the club.
The most impressive part of the evening was the performances of MOTM
Breckin and Morgan and the heart of the defence. The only header that
Breckin missed led to the goal for the rest of the game he was
outstanding and led by example. Every corner and free kick saw him
rising highest to clear. Alongside him, Morgan supported him at every
opportunity to keep Kuqi quiet and we didn't miss the injured Wilson at
all.
Chambers looked slightly suspect at times but better than previously in
the season especially with someone playing directly in front of him to
help out. Lynch also dealt well with the Palace threat down their right
hand side and made numerous sliding blocks to prevent crosses reaching
their target.
In midfield, Cohen was back to his normal self, looking full of running
and contributing at both ends of the pitch. I wouldn't necessarily play
him on the right hand side but he just seemed to be everywhere. McCleary
started nervously down the left but as the game progressed he just gets
better and better as each game passes. Never lacking in confidence or a
willingness to work harder even if things weren't going his way. Time
and again he found space to provide a decent cross from the left but
without anyone on the end to take advantage. Even Perch looked
comfortable in midfield showing the form that he started this season
with. Winning numerous headers and keeping things simple on the floor.
McGugan always looked capable of creating chances and the one to take
really advantage of the movement around him.
Garner showed his obviously qualities switching between partnering
Earnshaw and then dropping deep to support the midfield. He looks a
proper footballer, decent first touch, good awareness and able to pick
out a pass. Earnshaw worked himself into the ground, missed a couple of
chances but the sharpness is coming back.
Assuming we continue to play four in midfield, regardless of personnel,
things will improve. This gives extra protection to the full-backs and
provides options wide when were are in possession. There is enough pace
in this side from Tyson, McCleary and Anderson in particular to break
from deep positions without having to leave three up field constantly.
If we continue in this vein for the forthcoming games then the doubts
surrounding Calderwood position should quickly be dispelled. It's only
one game but there were enough positives to take from an all round team
performance to suggest that we still have a chance this season.
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