The scoreline implies that we took a battering but there were never three goals between the sides. We looked comfortable until the first goal but a crazy 15 minutes later the game was well and truly lost. By the end we looked ragged and we had to be grateful that our indiscipline didn’t result in us losing any players to suspension.

For the fifth successive away game, we left without scoring. We haven’t beaten an opposition keeper on our travels since Cohen beat Carson at West Brom. On that occasion we stifled and outnumbered their midfield with Moussi, allowing us to hit them on the break. It’s quite surprising that we’ve changed formations and players since without reverting back to this approach.

After destroy them in the corresponding home game, you can see the logic in starting Earnshaw but too often he was a passenger in the side when we were desperate for someone like Moussi adding fight into the midfield. In the closing stages, we should be able to introduce him against tiring defences.

After a scrappy opening to the game, it was Forest who started to look like a footballing team and exert some pressure on the home side. A series of long range efforts were blocked by their defence and the closest we came was Earnshaw’s flicked header off the bar. Half time arrived at just the wrong time for us.

At the other end, there was nothing to fear from a team built around endless long balls from back to front. They had a few set pieces but Wilson and MOTM Morgan looked in commanding form.

It was a similar story at the start of the second until poor defending from a set piece cost us badly. We had chances to clear the ball from our area but they kept the ball alive and found themselves with an easy chance. Even if they hadn’t scored there was plenty of dubious shirt pulling that may have resulted in us conceding a penalty.

The turning point of the afternoon started with our own attack. Earnshaw crossed from the right for McGoldrick to square for Perch, his goal-bound shot hit a defender on the line and was cleared. With their next attack, they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. The finish was unstoppable into the top corner and left Camp with no chance.

We looked a mess at this point and it was no surprise when they added another. A low cross shot from the left, with Wilson playing them onside to score from close range with a neat finish. One of those afternoons were everything went right for them in front of goal and Perch’s miss costs us badly.

This looked like a game too far for some of the squad with the midfield in particular struggling to impose themselves on the game. Blackstock did everything you could expect but lacked support around him as Earnshaw never really stayed close to him. Tyson and McGoldrick joined the game in the second half but neither did anything to suggest that they were going to turn the game in our favour.

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Tags: Games Lost, MOTM Wes Morgan

A tight game with two decent sides cancelling each other out. Boro's side contained plenty of quality and should be higher in the league but we just had enough about us to sneak the win. For long spells it looked like nil-nil was the only likely result but Cohen provided the only moment of genuine class to win the game after good work from Blackstock and Majewski.
 
After getting ourselves in front, we looked quite comfortable and eased to victory for an amazing ninth straight home win. With a better standard of opposition and a bumpy pitch, we never really reproduced the high paced, fluid passing from earlier in the season but results are the only thing that matters.
 
Our centre-backs were in impressive form yet again. MOTM Wilson alongside Morgan form a barrier that most strikers at this level struggle to pass. Boro made very little impression apart from an occasional threat from Lita in the closing stages. With their performances Camp had a couple of long range efforts to deal with plus a number of set pieces.
 
Perch did a reasonable job at left back but lacks confidence with his left foot to bring the best out of Anderson in front of him. Too often, the time taken to cut inside onto his preferred side prevents us from breaking with the speed that has become our trademark this season. Gunter has shown his quality all season and remains one of the most consistent performers at the club.
 
McKenna was much improved, especially in the second half as Boro pressed forward. A number of timely interventions from nowhere to steal the ball and get us moving forwards again. Cohen looked rusty at times, with a uncharacteristic dodgy first touch and wayward passes. However, he was never going to hide, stuck with it and provided the one moment of class to win the game. A brilliant, cool finish to beat the rushing keeper after Blackstock and Majewski combined to open up their defence. Makewski showed moments of promise, normally from set pieces but Boro get men around him to stop him finding space. Unlucky to see one free kick beat the keeper but hit the bar. Anderson continues to provide the only genuine width to the side but suffers from the lack of a full-time left back behind him. Provides a great out-let when attacking on the break, running at their defenders at speed.
 
Earnshaw struggled to make much of an impression and missed the one clear chance of the first half when he got behind their defence but missed the target. The most important contribution was the intelligent run to draw two defenders away from Cohen leading up to the winner. Blackstock continued his impressive recent form and battled well against the powerful Wheater all afternoon. The creation of the goal was all down to him and underlines the quality that he brings to the side.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Kelvin Wilson

Our disappointing run of away games continues with another narrow defeat, this time at Doncaster. We don’t concede or score too many on our travels so a one nil score-line in either direction is always going to be a likely result. For the second time in a week, we suffered some poor officials with a blatant early penalty shout being turned down and it taking 42 minutes to receive a single decision in our favour.


Davies rested some key players and gave opportunities to Adebola, Tyson and McGugan to make a case for being included more regularly. Unfortunately, none of them did anything to suggest that they are capable of figuring with the new-improved Forest. Missing the likes of Earnshaw, Blackstock and Anderson was never going to give us the best chance of three points.


The continuity of team selections seems to have disappeared in recent games with players appearing and then vanishing again unexpectedly. A few weeks ago, we appeared to have a settled pattern for away games but we find ourselves back to the early season problems. Amongst all of this, the unwillingness to give Lynch an opportunity at left back remains questionable.


After a scrappy start, we should have been given the opportunity to take an early lead from the penalty spot. Majewski’s bit of quality found Gunter charging into the area only to be caught from behind with a blatant foul. An unpunished tackle from behind on Adebola plus Majewski’s booking for ‘diving’ also went against us.


We got caught out with one left wing cross that Camp tried to anticipate but Sharp nipped in to score with ease. For long spells, the performance resembled away trips under Calderwood rather than the quality of this season.


In the second half, we created another couple of chances but neither Adebola or McCleary could hit the target when well placed. McCleary made a slight improvement with the extra pace and potential of creating something from nothing. However, one over-ran ball and reckless lunge saw him dismissed. The reaction of their players didn’t help, with all off them surrounded the referee as soon as the tackle occurred.


Camp had a rare poor afternoon with some rushed clearances and got caught out for the goal trying to second guess the flight of the ball. Wilson had his worst game for a while and struggled to live with the pace and movement of the lively Sharp. Despite being up front on his own, he caused problems for us all afternoon.


MOTM Morgan was often the spare defender tracking the runners from deep and clearing up any knock downs. One of the few players to perform anywhere near their potential on the day. Gunter was okay but struggled to contribute much going forward and Perch’s insistence on bring the ball back onto his stronger right foot ended all pace to left wing attacks and will never get the best from Tyson.


McGugan barely figured for the time he was on the pitch and was lucky to come back out for the second half. Compared to the running and effort of Majewski and Cohen, his work-rate wasn’t good enough and, yet again, didn’t make the most of his opportunity. McKenna is suffering a dip in form and badly could do with a break, but with our limited options, there’s no way we can do without him. Lacking composure on the ball, too often he chose a first time pass without looking to give the ball away.


Majewski was unlucky to get booked for the alleged dive but it was disappointing to see our creative player leave the game when we needed him the most. That still doesn’t condone the needless boos that accompanied the change. His replacement, McGoldrick, continues to seem more interested in fancy flicks without showing any real goal threat or work ethic that’s been installed into most of the side. It’s still very early to write him off in a red shirt though.


Tyson struggled to contribute anything of note apart and missed the one clear chance we created all afternoon. Majewski again found him charging through on goal, only to shoot tamely straight at their keeper. Cohen struggled to find any form in the first half but was the one driving the side forward after the break with any real quality.


The game was setup for Adebola to cause the home defence real problems. Both starting centre-backs had to be replaced but he struggled to win anything of note in the air. On the few occasions, he found himself with the ball at his feet, it was soon given away. With the style of football we play on the break away from home, it’s essential that the lone forwards competes for everything and is capable of bringing others into the game. Had one chance when through on goal, with a bouncing ball, but could only ‘shin’ it into the crowd. Blackstock added a little bit of quality to the game but the sending off of McCleary set us back and the game drifted.


Playing on the break away from home will always require us to make the most of any opportunities that come our way. With our reserve forwards on the pitch, it was too much to ask on this occasion.


We badly need two good home results, against tough opposition, this week to relieve the increasing pressure from the chasing pack behind us. Our home form remains key to how the rest of the season will unfold.

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Tags: Games Lost, MOTM Wes Morgan

This was a thoroughly frustrating evening where nothing went right for us in the final third. Most of the game was played in the Coventry half with the hosts unable to make any impression. We dominated for long spells in midfield but couldn’t find a way through, conceded a poor goal and lost our way in the closing stages following a number of changes.

Due to the lack of recent signings, Cohen had to be pushed into left back duty, meaning a recall for Garner on the right hand side of midfield.

Both halves followed a similar pattern, all of the play in their half but unable to capitalise on all of the possession. Then about half way in, we lost our way and the game drifted.

In the first half, the goal came from nowhere and we lost our momentum. We should have been ahead when McKenna’s quick free kick got Garner clean though but he hit the keeper’s legs. Before half time he saw a looping header drop just wide.

Second half, we really came out and got at them. Blackstock missed a sitter from a yard and the ball didn't fall for us in the area when we needed it to. The rest of the half was very stop/start with loads of ‘injuries’ to their players and the referee who was replaced.

I don't think that Billy's changes worked and we lost all structure to the side which stopped us playing football. No problems with Earnshaw for Garner but taking Anderson off lost us all width down the left hand side. The subs combined with the ref change and Coventry's delaying tactics saw the game drift in the closing stages as we ran out of ideas. When we passed the ball, we looked impressive but we got increasingly desperate and ended up with too many long balls to Earnshaw when previously we'd been passing our way through their midfield.

Losing Cohen from midfield was a huge loss even though he looked decent at both ends. His combination with Anderson at the start of the second half looked the most likely source of any goals. We just didn’t have the same effect with Garner and Gunter down the right. Moussi looked better with both McKenna and Majewski around him as we generally controlled the midfield.

Without Tyson or McCleary we lacked wide options in reserve and the introduction of McGoldrick and McGugan (along with the ineffective Earnshaw) took us backwards instead of building on our good start.

When we were playing well MOTM Majewski was at the heart of everything and Coventry couldn't handle his movement.

A lift for the club, in terms of a new face in the squad, would do wonders.

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Tags: Games Lost, MOTM Radoslaw Majewski

After a week to forget with defeat last Saturday, no signings and our rivals continuing to pick up points, there was plenty of pressure on us to perform. We struggled for long spells against tough opposition but still had just enough quality to snatch a priceless three points. A couple of unexpected changes in midfield saw Moussi return in place of Majewski whilst Anderson was rested in favour of Tyson.
 
The footballing Wednesday side are a thing of the past under Irvine’s short reign. Similar to Coventry, they came to battle, hassle and relied solely on set pieces and especially long throw-ins to create any chances. Credit to our side for standing up to them and finding the resolve to respond to their equaliser and get ourselves in front soon after. If other sides think that we’re suspect from this approach then we’ll need many more of these performances to stay in touch.
 
We struggled to create many clear chances, with Earnshaw’s curling free kick and Tyson’s long range effort requiring decent saves. We needed a  generous decision for the penalty that Blackstock smashed in the top corner and then we looked comfortable until half time. Wednesday improved after the break but still needed a lucky rebound to find a way past our defence. We responded well and Cohen’s free kick found Blackstock to score from close range at the second attempt. Camp’s kicking might have been slightly suspect but his handling from the constant long balls into the area was almost perfect. Every time they lined up another long throw in, he made his decision early and stuck to it. Gunter and Perch didn’t get many opportunities to shine going forwards but did a decent job defensively. Perch was rightly criticised last weekend but made a number of blocks and won most things in the air, especially in the second half. The contrast between him and Shorey when in possession are obvious though and it almost negates any real threat down the left hand side. Morgan and Wilson did what was required with a number of clearing headers and blocks as Wednesday increased the pressure after the break.
 
Neither Moussi or Tyson made the most of their starting opportunities in the side. Moussi often looked bewildered in midfield, causing more problems for our own side that our opponents but his ungainly style is still capable of shielding the defence on the edge of our own area and making those scruffy challenges. McKenna’s performance seemed to suffer as a result with a number of rushed aimless clearances. Without Majewski providing the link between midfield and attack, too often we panicked and looked a much poorer team as a result.
 
Tyson struggled to get into the game and barely looked a threat all afternoon. He wasn’t helped by the lack of any real support from Perch behind him though who is obviously going to favour his right foot each time. Anderson made a real difference to the closing stages when he got the ball on the floor and starting taking the game to their defence. Cohen continues to show the form that makes it almost impossible to withdraw him from the midfield.
 
MOTM Blackstock was the difference between the sides with another well taken penalty and being in the right place for the winner. Earnshaw was unlucky to see his free kick saved from the top corner and should have done better from Perch’s pin-point pass that saw him clear eight yards out. Both forwards worked hard for the team but our midfield struggled to get going and support them well enough.
 

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Dexter Blackstock