Forest 3 - 0 Preston North End

A great display against proven Championship opposition saw us maintain the unbeaten run and establish ourselves as genuine contenders for an automatic place. We have nothing to fear from anyone at the moment.

Preston never looked likely to cause many problems and we took the three points without exerting ourselves. We were even able to rest the likes of Majewski, Earnshaw and Anderson in the second half and leave Blackstock resting on the bench.

We continue to look sound defensively and clinical up front but this victory was all about the qualities in midfield. We nullified Preston’s threat and looked dangerous on the break with a shoot on sight policy with everyone contributing.

This was McKenna’s night and his impressive first for the club got us on the way. Adebola’s clinical finish saw the game end as a contest whilst McGugan’s last finale rounded off a great evening’s work. Watching Forest isn’t supposed to be this much fun!

Camp had another quiet afternoon due to the poor quality of Preston’s finishing. One routine save towards the end of the first half was his most notable contribution. Wilson was yet again the pick of the defence with another assured display. His partnership with Morgan resulted in Preston abandoning their football and reverted to long balls to lumps Parkin and Mellor. Shorey and Gunter spent most of their time supporting our attacks with the former setting up the last two goals.

MOTM McKenna continues to lead by example and forms the heart of our side. In terms of the playing staff, our recent revival is mainly down to his arrival at the club. His ability to break up attacks and get us moving forward was a feature of the game. Preston just could not handle our quality in midfield where we looked in a different class.

Majewski in particular found space in midfield time and again to cause problems. He was unlucky not to score with one curling effort narrowly wide and we didn’t make the most of some of his drives forward. Despite being in the side for his creativity, he didn’t hide from his defensive duties.

Complimenting the presence of McKenna and creativity of Majewski perfectly was the energy of Cohen and the pace of Anderson – they were everywhere. Everything looked so fluid in midfield with the ball moving with pace and precision. Occasionally we didn’t make the most of some impressive build-up play but you can’t really complain with such a routine victory.

McGugan’s late appearance provided the clinching goal with a neat feint and finish whilst McCleary continues to show that there might just be a footballer in there with his direct running.

Adebola is starting to silence those who question his presence in the side with a number of physical displays that bring out the best in our side. On numerous occasions, his instant control and strength allowed Earnshaw and Majewski to get involved.

Earnshaw had one of those days where nothing really went in his favour. One sharp turn and finish was harshly ruled out whilst their keeper produced a smart close range save to prevent another. Despite this, both forward’s work-rate could not be fault and they took turns to drop deep when needed to regain possession. Earlier in the season, his only contribution was goals but the effort is there and he looks a much better all round player now.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Paul McKenna