Another away game without victory but, even with a reserve side, there were plenty of positives to take from the first half in particular. With most of the first team regulars missing, there were chances for some of the squad members to confirm their places on the bench for the play-offs to come.

After a slow start we soon found some form and should have scored more than that two we managed. Boyd found Garner on the edge of the area, to beat one defender and then thread an effort into the bottom corner. Just before half-time, a well worked build up down the right saw us move the ball across the area for Boyd to fire across the keeper and into the far corner. A fantastic team effort and it was comparable to Cohen’s goal at West Brom.

McGoldrick and McGugan both had good chances to extend the lead but we had to settle for a two goal advantage at half-time.

The hosts were much improved after the break and started to put some pressure on the Forest goal. After Anderson’s early volleyed chance we struggled to create too many chances. Boyd messed up two corners whilst a couple of crosses didn’t bounce favourably for us.

At the other end, Smith made a couple of smart low saves but we failed to clear one scramble which they took advantage of to make a game of it.

It looked like we’d survived the best that Scunthorpe could manage until McCleary carelessly lost the ball in midfield right at the end. Their player carried the ball forward and found the top corner from outside the area, leaving Smith with no chance.

In terms of those with something to prove, MOTM Joe Garner was the one who made the most of his chance. Finally playing as a centre forward, he caused problems throughout and scored a well-taken and deserved goal. Should find himself on the bench, especially if we’re battling away from home.

Alongside him, McGoldrick continues to frustrate, sometimes combining well with those around him but never looking like scoring and often giving the ball away cheaply from promising positions. On current form, Garner looks like the best option as a reserve striker but McGoldrick should still be on the bench.

McCleary’s pace and skill would be a great asset to have in reserve but the late error cost us the game and we couldn’t afford to risk a repeat in the coming weeks. He’s unlikely to be involved in the away leg and a small chance of being on the bench for the home game.

Boyd showed a few moments of promise and was certainly improved on his performance at Doncaster. However, compared to Anderson, we should still expect more from him in terms of work-rate. Too often he’s happy to let others take his share of tracking back and backs out of challenges. Would be a useful option to have on the bench and this goal itself should see him in front of McCleary.

McGugan missed a very good chance with only the keeper to beat but barely featured in the rest of the game. Could have won the game right at the end with a free kick narrowly wide but this has to go down as another wasted opportunity in a red shirt. If everyone’s fit, he could be struggling to be involved if McKenna makes a return and Moussi’s recent form continues.

Lynch didn’t look 100% fit in the opening stages but improved as the game progressed and didn’t let anyone down. Away from home he’d bring more height to the defence and allow Gunter back to the right but still unlikely to be involved in the coming weeks. Gunter and Chambers still remain as the best full back pairing on current form, especially with the latter’s ability to score from set pieces.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Joe Garner

Whilst it was slightly disappointing to end the home winning streak without breaking the record, there was plenty of encouraging signs against one of our play-off rivals. If we’d managed to produce one of the clinical finishes that have been a trademark of the previous home games, the result might have been different. We were still able to show that we’re more than capable of providing Cardiff with a tough test.

Despite being under pressure in the opening stages, we missed the best chance of the game. Their defence failed to deal with a routine ball over the top and left Earnshaw running in on goal with only the keeper to beat. Unusually, he lacked a calm finish and hit the keeper instead.

Tyson produced one moment of class, of an otherwise disappointing afternoon, with a right wing and cross but Cohen missed the ball with an empty goal in front of him. Moussi produced another decent cross than just evaded Tyson in the middle.

At the other end, Cardiff relied on set pieces for the dangers posed and we escaped a couple of nervy moments. However, credit to our defence as the longer the game proceeded, the less likely they looked to score.

After the break, we continued to improve and cause more problems whilst the visitors lost all interest in winning the game and concentrated on stopping us playing instead.

Blackstock had the best chance of the half, winning the ball from a defender and finding himself through on goal. Similar to Earnshaw, he couldn’t find the clinical finish to beat their keeper.

McCleary showed a number of neat touches down the right and produced better service than Tyson had generally been capable of. Based on recent performances, Tyson should be considered as backup for Earnshaw instead of being stuck out on the left wing.

Defensively we looked very solid with the back five remaining as reliable and consistent as ever. Camp had a relatively quiet afternoon due to the performances of those in front of him. Gunter’s move to the left has eased our previous concerns about a lack of left back. Chambers continues to look settled at right back and poses a real threat from every set piece. Wilson and Morgan stood up for themselves well in spite of facing the obvious threat of their forwards.

Majewski’s form is the one worry from those genuine first teamers within the squad. After the purple patch earlier, he’s really struggling to have any real impact at the moment. Better news in the format of MOTM Moussi who seems to be finding some form just at the right time, one of the better players on Saturday and put in another impressive performance. His normally wayward passing wasn’t evident and he’s having an impact at both ends of the pitch.

Earnshaw and Blackstock looked a threat throughout and both should have found themselves on the score sheet. They are rightfully the number one forward pairing for us and ideally we’ll see them rested in the coming weeks to allow Garner and Tyson to show some form down the middle.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Guy Moussi

Finally we leave an away game without another defeat to our name. We had the worst possible start by conceding in the first couple of minutes but fought back well, equalised and should really have pinched the three points after the break.

We found ourselves behind before the game really got started. A long range effort following a cleared corner was deflected past Camp, leaving the keeper with no real chance.

We stumbled along in a state of shock for a while until Moussi produced a rocket from nowhere to equalise. Taking the ball from the defence, no one closed him down and he found the top corner from 30 yards.

City nearly took the lead again out of nothing. An over head kick from another corner was heading for the top corner until Camp got back brilliantly to tip over.

Things continued disappointingly until MOTM Garner joined the game and, along with Moussi, was the real highlight of the afternoon. In contrast to the disappointing Adebola, he looked full of movement and energy playing at centre forward. Their defence suddenly had very little time on the ball as Garner hassled and then dropped deep to provide the link between midfield and attack.

Tyson found himself through on goal from sub McGoldrick’s pass but their keeper smothered the shot. Garner then should have scored with a header from Chambers’ great cross but the keeper saved and was then alive to stop Tyson’s rebound.

Gunter looked very lively down the left hand side, making the most of the space in front of him when the ball came his way. Unfortunately, Boyd had another disappointing game and it wasn’t a surprise when he was replaced early into the second half. He seems to be struggling to get into the game at the moment and show off his obvious talents.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Joe Garner

We managed to preserve our unbeaten record but only just as Watford provided one of our tougher challenges this season. On a difficult surface, we played some decent football in the first half in contrast to the direct approach of the hosts. However, lacking a clinical strike force, we didn’t make the most of our possession. After the break they improved, caused us a lot more problems and we escaped with a point.

With one eye on the Coventry home game, Majewski, Tyson, Earnshaw and Blackstock were all on the bench. As a general rule, draw the aways, win the homes and we won’t be too far away from the top six. It would have been nice to have challenged their defence a bit more, but this approach has served us well so far this season so no real complaints.

Blackstock’s looping header required a finger tip save whilst McGugan and Shorey saw curling efforts narrowly wide. Anderson hit another effort straight at the keeper.

At the other end, we needed three goal line clearances, including one dubious one via Shorey’s arm/chest to keep us level. Another effort curled narrowly wide whilst another bounced off the post to safety.

Camp had one of his busiest afternoons this season with Watford’s direct style of play and had to produce a number of smart interventions to keep us in the game. On the few occasions he was beaten, there was always a defender on the line providing that all important clearance. Gunter, Wilson and finally Shorey all made critical interceptions to keep us level.

With Watford resorting to launching balls from deep areas, Gunter and MOTM Shorey were able to contribute plenty going forward. Shorey, in particular, was responsible for many of our attacks with a series of accurate balls to feet and was never afraid to follow that up with another positive run forward. To round off an impressive performance, he very nearly scored with a long range curling effort narrowly wide and then kept us level via chest/arm in injury time with a goal line clearance.

He’s made such a big difference since his arrival and either his or another left back’s signing will be key during January. He’s probably too good for this division but the benefits of having a genuine left back have been obvious. Having to revert to Cohen or Lynch there again would be a disappointing step backwards.

Wilson and Chambers looked comfortable in the first half as we enjoyed the majority of possession and passed the ball around patiently. Not quite as dominant after the break but neither let the side down as they favoured the aerial approach.

Cohen couldn’t be faulted for effort but struggled to find much quality on the tricky surface. Too often, a simple pass failed to find the target or he just didn’t anticipate the ball coming his way. On the other side, Anderson was pretty ineffective on the bobbling pitch and could only hit a tame shot straight at their keeper from one nice passing move.

McGugan deserved his chance and contributed in parts but we struggled to get the ball to him often enough. He caused them plenty of problems with neat footwork around the area and was only just off target with one curling effort. McKenna did what was required, as always. He was loving every minute of the midfield scrap, organising, arguing our case with the officials, all good stuff.

McGoldrick should really have been replaced earlier in the game as the partnership with Adebola wasn’t really working. Too often he didn’t get close enough to take advantage of Adebola’s strength to hold the ball up. It was another slightly disappointing performance in terms of work rate especially considering the energy expended by his strike partner. He only really started playing in the latter stages when moved back into midfield and then onto the left hand side.

Adebola did his bit for the team, hassling the Watford defence and competing for everything that came his way. We just didn’t make the most of his efforts.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Nicky Shorey

A battling display at Bramall Lane saw us escape with a point, but only just. Even though we struggled for long spells and tired badly in the second half we defended well enough to escape with a clean sheet and our unbeaten record intact. If we’re going to have an off day, as long as we keep a clean sheet we’ll come away with some reward.
 
We started the better of the sides with good movement off the ball and quick passing but too often failed to find the right pass in the final third or gave the ball away cheaply. The game soon descended into a dull affair with Sheff Utd’s aimless hoofing and Forest struggling to find the quality going forward from recent matches. They really looked a mess in the first half but were much improved after the break when the crowd finally woke up.
The change in formation to accommodate Chambers at right back (and push Gunter into midfield) was working defensively but left us lacking in options going forwards. McKenna curled one straight at the keeper and Morgan’s charge up-field almost found a way though but not much to get excited about.
 
The home side were much improved in the second half especially when the lively Camara entered the game. Forest continued to defend well from most of United’s attacks but when they got their way past Wilson and Morgan, Camp was there time and again to keep us level. One low save from a diving header, another full length save from a low shot, a double save were all badly needed as we found ourselves on the back foot. There were other saves but those ones stood out.
 
At the other end, Earnshaw found space to curl one narrowly wide whilst another well struck effort was heading towards goal until blocked. These were only rare attacks though as it was all pressure from the home side. Blackstock struggled to hold the ball up well enough against Morgan and Kilgannon whilst we lacked someone in midfield to get the ball onto the floor. Too often we got dragged down to United’s level and lumped it. Having got into the last twenty minutes, we got ourselves in a position to change the game from the bench but we didn’t use the options well enough. Adebola was needed to add strength up front but McGugan would have been ideal pushing Cohen wide.
 
With the final whistle approaching, Forest briefly raised their game with a couple of decent crosses without ever looking like threatening their keeper. We’ll take the point and move onto another tough trip to Swansea.
 
MOTM Camp has been barely troubled in the majority of games this season due to the quality of Wilson and Morgan (amongst others). This was a different story as United pressed hard in the second half and without his contribution we’d have lost easily. Chambers slotted into the back four nicely and his aerial presence was definitely needed in the second half when we came under more pressure. Shorey showed his class away from home and never looked rattled despite a lot of attacks coming down their right. Wilson and Morgan did a decent job against Cresswell and Evans but struggled more with the movement of Camara.
 
Cohen was reasonable in the first half with some decent interceptions but looked dead on his feet in the middle of the second. We should have either moved him wide or replaced with McGugan to get us playing again. Having come back from a ban, he’s already picked up 2 more yellow cards. McKenna did what was needed and this was never going to be pretty performance from him. Anderson started lively down the left but disappeared after the opening stages. Didn’t really looked fit and barely lasted an hour. Gunter got into a few decent positions and did a reasonable job down the right but he was there for his defensive qualities which he did fine.
 
Blackstock didn’t really do enough for the team in terms of holding the ball up and bringing others into the game. No surprise when he was replaced. As a result, Earnshaw struggled and had to make chances for himself out of almost nothing, nearly found something but not really his night.
 

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Lee Camp

Despite conceeding the late equaliser, there's plenty to be positive about at the moment. We enter the international break in 8th place, with the play-offs within touching distance - this remains a very positive start to the season. The general lack of goals remains a slight concern, we've only scored 2+ goals twice in the last 12 games, but with the striker injuries clearing, we'll be in much better shape after the break.

For long spells, this game failed to live up to the dramatic events of last season with Forest and an unadventerous City side cancelling each other out. For the first half, we lacked ideas going forward with McGoldrick and Garner failing to take advantage of injuries to Blackstock and Tyson.

We looked very one sided with any reasonable attacks originating through Anderson and Cohen down the left with Garner badly lacking down the other side. Things improved in the closing stages with Garner moved into the middle, finally we had someone capable of holding the ball up and giving their defence something to worry about. City's intention was to defend and take turns to commit endless fouls without sufficient protection from the officials.

Unfortunately, we reverted back to the original formation after the break and things went back to normal. It took the introduction of McCleary on the hour to liven up proceedings and provide the pace and movement that had been badly lacking earlier. Time and again, City couldn't deal with his pairing with Gunter down the right. One run and pull back from the bye-line should have resulted in an easy tap-in for Anderson but their defender came from nowhere to clear off the line.

Davies got the substitutions spot-on again and they provided the basis for a second half improvement. Playing only one up front for an hour, enabled us to contain the opposition and then really go for them in the closing stages and it nearly paid off for us.

As full time approached, a goal-less draw still remained the most likely when we scored following a left wing free kick. Cohen's ball bounced around the area until Morgan caught it with a sweet right foot effort into the top corner. Earnshaw had also joined the fun and should have done better with a couple of late efforts as City had to stop kicking us and finally had to push forward.

As we entered injury time, it looked as though we might just squeeze out another narrow win but paid the penalty for sitting back too deep. We gave City the freedom of midfield, failed to win a header from the resulting cross and left their forward free to nick the ball past Camp. A disappointing end but still plenty to be positive about.

Morgan and MOTM Wilson formed an impressive barrier in defensive with the latter continuing to find the form he displayed upon originally joining the club. At first, the decision to drop Chambers looked a bit harsh but Wilson fully deserves his place in the centre of defence. He cruised through this game despite the obvious attacking threat that City possess. Morgan had another entertaining afternoon, solid at the back, finding the time to score his first of the season and even getting booked for diving.

Gunter provide very useful pace and energy down especially with Garner providing very little support. City struggled to keep up with him and McCleary. Cohen on the other side continues to look more like a natural left back especially when in posession.

Garner really shouldn't be playing down the right hand side for home games as he doesn't provide enough in a creative sense. To his credit, he did make a difference when he got a chance in the middle. In contrast, Anderson looked very dangerous and just lacked enough of the ball when we needed him in early stages of the second half. McCleary has done enough recently to warrant a starting place and it would be nice to see him get a chance in the next home game.

McGoldrick still hasn't been convincing this season and there's a lot more to come from him. With Blackstock hopefully back soon, we'll hopefully see a greater physical presence and retain the ball long enough to bring Majewski into the game.

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Tags: MOTM Kelvin Wilson, Games Drawn

For anyone who watched the draw with Cardiff, the progress we’ve made this season under Billy Davies is becoming very apparent. Too often in the past we’ve travelled back from Wales after a depressing one-sided defeat but on this occasion we fought as a side for the whole game and thoroughly deserved at least a point.
 
Considering the attacking talent currently injured (Blackstock, Earnshaw, Tyson all out), it was another impressive away performance and keeps us nicely in contention. There’s still plenty to work on in terms of final balls and concentration at the back but the improvement since last season is impressive. We continue to look very organised and tough to break down. The change in formation to 451 to accommodate Moussi alongside McKenna with Majewski getting forward seems to suit us very well when up against top opposition.
 
We started the game very brightly and should have been awarded a penalty when Anderson was tripped from behind. Anderson was a threat throughout and caused numerous problems down the left, the only problem was getting the ball to him often enough. Majewski and McGoldrick also looking prominent Cardiff struggled to cope with our passing through midfield as we looked easily the better side but too often we lacked composure in the final third and wasted the chance.
 
Anderson hit one narrowly wide when it was easier to score, Majewski’s free kick wasn’t too far wide and McGoldrick also should have done better with a couple of attempts. Garner won most things in the air but wasn’t really on the same wavelength as the others.
 
The hosts came back into the game using their direct approach to good effect. They didn’t enjoy the same amount of possession as us but caused us a few problems getting the ball forward quickly. MOTM Camp made a number of outstanding saves to keep us level especially one double save as Cardiff ran at the heart of our defence.
 
Despite one of two lapses in concentration, Morgan and Wilson did a great job of keeping their danger men quiet whilst Cohen continues to look much more assured at left back. Due to the form of our midfield, he might be struggling to get into the side elsewhere.
 
We were still re-organising from Majewski getting taken off when they enjoyed the benefit of another crucial decision again us - a borderline offside call. We got caught out and look disjointed at that moment and they took full advantage. This set-back didn’t stop us attacking and the game continued in the same pattern.
 
McGoldrick and Wilson should both have done better with chances in the closing stages as Cardiff sat back and let us dominate in midfield. McCleary had joined the action by this time and started to cause more problems running into space.
 
Cardiff sat back and thought they’d cruise through the closing stages and we made them pay for it. McGugan took advantage of some lucky deflections to hit a sweet left foot half volley past the keeper.

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Tags: MOTM Lee Camp, Games Drawn

No real complaints over the result, a point was probably about right after another battling away performance. The build-up play was pretty decent but too often the resulting cross wasn't good enough for us to take advantage.
 
The only time we provided any real service for the forwards, McGugan produced a fantastic low cross that was begging to be converted - McGoldrick duly obliged. There weren't too many other chances to get excited about as we often took the wrong option or failed to produce any quality service.
 
At the other end, Palace struggled to play much football but still ended up creating the better chances. We weren't helped by the performance of the referee who seemed intent on giving Palace as many shooting attempts from free kicks as possible. Almost every Forest challenge resulted in a whistle and it was only a matter of time before Ambrose found his range and the top corner. Fortunately, we re-grouped at half time and came out to force the deserved equaliser.
 
MOTM Camp has been more involved in the past couple of games as we've had to work much harder to preserve the unbeaten run. On this occasion, he kept us in the game with a series of decent saves and combined with some wayward Palace finishing left us with the draw.
 
Since his return to the side, Wilson has looked much more like the assured defender we know from a few years ago. The burden of the captancy seemed to set him back but allowed to concentrate on defending, there's no doubting that he's easily good enough for this division.
 
McKenna showed a return to the impressive form at the start of the season with a commanding display in front of the defence. Time and again he was the one making that all-important last ditch challenge.
 
Following Anderson's withdrawal following a clumsy aerial challenge, McCleary had plenty of possession down the right hand side but didn't make the most of his opportunity. The story of the game for our wide players. With Adebola in the side, we have to make sure that we play to his strengths.
 
Chambers showed his versatility in the closing stages, replacing McGugan in midfield, and doing a decent job of protecting the hard-earned point. A series of challenging headers to compliment McKenna's tackles.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Lee Camp

Bit disappointing last night to be honest. Another away game where we seemed intent on stopping the opposition playing rather than trying to cause them problems ourselves. Given the choice of "another valuable away point" or "chance missed to beat another mediorce opposition", I'm tending towards the latter camp, especially after seeing similar on Saturday. However, it does show signs of improvement that we can go away from home get a point and still have expected more. It's frustrating to know that we have the squad capable of winning at these places but not giving ourselves the best chance of doing so.

For the first hour we contained Ipswich but never really held onto the ball for long enough to worry them. Every time Camp got the ball, it went straight downfield for Blackstock and McGoldrick to scrap for. Their centre halves had an easy time, heading away clearances as we struggled to build up enough play to get Anderson or Garner into dangerous areas. McKenna was a shadow of the early season force in midfield and proceeded to give the ball away time and again. The midfielders roles seemed to consist of spoiling the home side and then pushing the ball forward as quickly as possible.

Defensively, we looked pretty good. Camp was very rarely threaten. MOTM Chambers and Morgan continue to develop an understanding and dominate the opposition. Gunter frustrated Martin throughout, even though Lynch did okay, he always looks the most vulnerable. One lapse early in the game, allowed a cross from their right to find their unmarked player who looked to score with yet another deflection. The closest we came to scoring was a cross/shot from Garner that hit the bar and bounced to safety. Cohen put a dangerous free kick over the bar.

We started the second half much better but it was Earnshaw's arrival that got us going. Having picked the ball up in midfield, he found Adebola on the edge of the area, took the lay-off beat a defender and scored with ease.

They had one effort cleared off the line but we looked the most lively to sneak the win. Suddenly the midfield starting looking for passes with a front two willing to drop deep to help out. The extra experience of Earnshaw and Adebola was making a big difference and we looked a different side from the earlier rubbish, especially with the extra pace which they couldn't cope with.

It was Adebola's strength that nearly won the game in the last minute. He hassled their lumbering centre back into giving the ball away and was through on goal. Their player tried to bring him down a few times before eventually getting there just as our man entered the area. Deserved red card but Earnshaw could only hit the wall with the freekick.

Getting Tyson back down the left, allowing Anderson on the right will make a difference. Garner is no right midfielder and Ipswich seemed to play on his dodgy temperament throughout. Adebola and Earnshaw both did more than enough to justify a start place on Saturday. Out of all the striking combinations we've used this season, their's looked the more dangerous and well suited last night.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Luke Chambers

Whilst the result looks pretty decent, we really didn’t make the most of another promising performance and this season continues to frustrate. Defensively we looked solid and restricted Wednesday to very limited chances but we failed to take control of the game and should have made more of the chances that came our way. There are signs that we’re not far away from being a decent side but we’ve yet to properly click as a team.

We started fantastically and should have scored in the first minute. Anderson’s run was not matched by Garner’s scuffed shot saved by their keeper. We kept attacking and were rewarded when Anderson crossed for Blackstock’s unmarked header shortly afterwards.  The pair combined again after Anderson’s left wing run but Blackstock sliced the effort wide when it looked easier to score.

Camp hadn’t been really involved in the game but found himself beaten with yet another deflected goal after we failed to clear. Having looked comfortable in the lead, we never really recovered.

Unfortunately we couldn’t find a similar start to the second half and found ourselves on the back foot straight away. We got lucky from one goalmouth scramble that we were unable to clear but Wedensday seldom came close to scoring. We scrapped and fought in midfield but struggled to retain possession for long enough to consistently threaten at the other end.

We still created enough decent chances through Anderson down the left to have won the game. McGoldrick didn’t expect one cross along the six yard box whilst Blackstock didn’t react to another chance that bobbled to the keeper.

We lacked a clinical edge up front and it was disappointing to see Earnshaw remain on the bench whilst the few chances on the break continued to pass us by.

Camp was his usual dependable self with numerous claims from their set pieces to take pressure off the defence. Very rarely threatened and no chance with their deflected goal.

After some below-par games this season, Gunter looked like he was finding his form again. Despite playing recent internationals he was still charging forwards in injury time trying to make that important contribution. In a decent defensive display, Lynch was the one weak link and the one area that they might have capitalised on. With Wilson’s recovery, this position still remains a priority.

Chambers and MOTM Morgan looked a dominant combination throughout apart from one scramble early in the second half. Their centre forwards barely got a kick and hardly figured in the game. With players returning from injury, a new centre half is looking less of a concern.

No complaints on the effort from McKenna and Cohen in central midfield but they struggled to find much quality moving forwards. In Majewski’s absence, we missed that ability to pick out an incisive pass.  

Anderson had one of his best games for the club with a series of direct runs on the break. Time and again, we didn’t make the most of his dangerous counter attacks. Unfortunately, he found himself out of the game for long spells in the second half when he should have been giving the ball at every opportunity. With more quality and anticipation from those around him, he would have been the architect of three points for us.

Garner got booked again and didn’t really contribute much after the early miss and was replaced by McCleary at half-time. McCleary did nothing to suggest he’s a better long term option with a poor half’s display when everything went wrong for him.
Blackstock and McGoldrick looked dangerous in short spells but they missed the key chances that came our way. We’re still waiting for the forwards to click and an obvious front pairing to develop.


 

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Wes Morgan

There were certainly positives to be taken from the game. We restricted them to very few chances with Chambers, McKenna and Majewski all prominent. As with most opponents this season, QPR were nothing special and we didn’t make the most of the game.

At times we looked bright and incisive but these were all too infrequent with us often drifting into aimless hoof ball. We have to keep the ball on the floor and play more football, the players are clearly capable of doing this. Instead, we launch aimless balls to Adebola and expect him to compete against a defence full of 6 foot plus defenders.

I don’t think there’s too much wrong with the side. We’ve lacked a little bit of luck or benefitted from a refereeing decision, an early goal would do wonders for our confidence. The deficiencies in defence are obvious and Lynch’s new injury just compounded this. In midfield, we badly miss Cohen’s consistency, effort and enthusiasm and his presence would benefit the side. Up front, the selection of the strikers seems pretty random at the moment and some stability would be nice.

During the opening spell, there was only team in the game and we should have taken advantage from a string of chances. Majewski, carried the ball forward to the edge of the area, the shot was well saved and the rebound fell to Garner whose bottom corner effort was turned around for a corner.

Garner missed the next chance that came our way. Cohen’s perfect cross from the left only required the slightest touch from six yards but an air shot resulted in the chance wasted. Shortly after, McGoldrick cut inside from the right and put his left foot shot wide of the far post.

Predictably, QPR came back into the game but the opening goal came from nowhere, a long range effort destined for the top corner with no chance for Camp.

We started to put some pressure on the QPR defence after the break and eventually our direct approach paid off. The move was started by Camp’s long ball, Adebola’s flick on, with McGoldrick applying a smart finish.

After we equalised, we stopped pressing them and barely threatened. For the closing stages we even reverted back to 451 instead of believing we could win the game.

Camp didn’t have much to do, one full length save from a free kick stands out, plus one late incident where he found himself without the ball in midfield. Fortunately, the offside flag came to his rescue.

MOTM Chambers was outstanding at centre half as he eased himself back into the side after suspension. He cruised through the game, looking calm in possession and a steadying influence. He was ably assisted by Morgan who didn’t do much wrong alongside him and kept the QPR forwards very quiet.

We looked a bit weak at full back where Gunter, Lynch and then McCleary struggled to prevent crosses and didn’t make things hard enough for their opposing wingers.

It was a similar story with the wide midfielders in front of them. Neither Garner nor Cohen look settled in this positions and it seems a weird choice with the likes of Anderson waiting in reserve.

McKenna protected the back four as well as ever and competed with their midfield all afternoon. Numerous last minute tackles and interceptions, standing up to their midfield. Majewski showed some very nice touches in patches, unlucky not to score but struggles to contribute for the whole game. If we’re going to persist with someone out of position down the left, then I’d like to see him out there and get Cohen back in the centre where he belongs.

Up front, Adebola worked tirelessly for the team and ran himself into the ground in the end. Too often, the service he received was poor or his team mates didn’t get close enough to him to take advantage of his good play. McGoldrick took his goal very well but drifted in and out of the game too often.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Luke Chambers

A determined defensive display earned a valuable away point against a side who’ll be challenging again this season. We’ve carried on the improvements from last season and look much more resilient as a result. With a little more quality from wide midfield areas, we might have even taken the three points.

Surprisingly, Davies kept faith with Garner on the right hand side of midfield and McGoldrick up front meaning the likes of Earnshaw, Anderson and Blackstock were left on the bench.

There was nothing between the sides in the first half. McKenna and Adebola presented McGoldrick with a decent chance that he could only drag wide. Majewski also failed to hit the target from another promising situation. Another long range effort from McGoldrick at least forced a save from their keeper.

At the other end, we looked comfortable with McKenna providing stability in midfield. Time and again, he was there to break up their attacks and get us moving forwards. Gunter and Morgan provided other noticeable defensive performances but Camp was rarely involved.

Our best spell of the game arrived for the twenty minutes after half time. We started to take advantage of some decent service to Adebola, getting players around him in support.

Garner found himself in a promising position on the edge of the six yard box but should have put the ball across the goal instead of the near post. Gunter ran at their defence, cut inside onto his left foot but the half-scuffed effort didn’t really trouble their keeper.

Despite some dubious defending, Lynch remained a threat further forward and created our best chance of the game. Earnshaw read the cross before any of their defence but his effort hit their keeper and bounced to safety.

As we made further positive changes, bringing on McCleary and Tyson, Reading came back into the game and started to push us back. Things looked even worse following Chambers’ red card, completely out of the blue. A cross from their right wing was headed over the bar; there were no appeals or obvious fouls committed but the linesman thought otherwise. 

Too often, Reading found space down our left hand side but decent defending and poor finishing kept us in the game.

Camp looked in command throughout and wasn’t slow to hand out well deserved abuse to those in front of him. A series of comfortable catches took the pressure off the defence especially in the closing stages.

Gunter continued his form from the end of last season. He looked assured in possession and comfortable defensively. He showed clever play to ‘earn’ free kicks to relieve the pressure when required. We were very rarely threatened down our right hand side and he got forward well to support Garner.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said of Lynch down the left. Time and again Reading took advantage of some poor marking and we had to defend pretty well from a succession of dangerous crosses. Still manages to produce moments of quality going forwards but too often gives away too much space to opposition wingers.

Morgan looked in decent shape and put in a typically battling performance. Chambers wasn’t as bad as some other reports might suggest. He’s produced enough decent performances at centre back to suggest that he’s worthy of a place in the side in that position. Unfortunately, it looks like he could become this season’s scapegoat after only one game.

Garner worked hard for the team, as you would expect, but too often looked like a forward making up the numbers in midfield. It was a similar story with Cohen who barely figured in the game and looked to be suffering from recent injury and lack of pre-season. We’ll need a bit more quality from wide areas to make the most of Adebola’s obvious aerial threat.

MOTM McKenna brought a calming influence in midfield with drive and passion that been sadly lacking in our recent midfields. Too often last season we lacked a combative presence in midfield but it looks like we’ve addressed that now. He’s a very positive signing and one player who’ll be key for us this season.

Majewski looked assured in possession but faded in the second half when Reading came back into the game. We should get the best out of his range of passes when there’s more pace in the side. A promising start to his Forest career.

Adebola played much better than I’d expected and justified his starting place. His first touch and instant control brought other players into the game but too often we didn’t take advantage.

McGoldrick’s inclusion in preference to Earnshaw was a surprise and he didn’t really make the most of it. Too often he didn’t seem sharp enough and looked a bit off the pace.
 

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Paul McKenna