Games Lost
Forest 3 - 4 Blackpool (4 - 6 agg.)
13/05/10 11:17 Category: Championship | Play-offs
We didn’t learn anything from the first leg and in typical Forest fashion fell apart in spectacular style. Having got ourselves level twice through MOTM Earnshaw, we contrived to conceded 3 quick goals as our challenge fell apart in the second half.
It was pretty obvious that McKenna and Cohen would struggle to last the 90 mins and it was too much to expect Majewski to deal with their midfield on his own. As with Saturday, the longer the game continued the greater the influence of the Blackpool midfield. It’s a sign of the recent progress made by Moussi that his absence affected us more than anything over the two legs.
Perch defensive failings were there for all to see on Saturday and bizarrely, we decided to make things even harder for him by exposing him at left back. As we’ve been preparing for the play-offs for weeks then surely it would have made sense to give him some games in this position beforehand. Yet again found out when it mattered with mistakes that cost us dearly.
Tyson’s recent performances have been poor and today was no exception. His preference to Anderson was another selection that didn’t make much sense. Yet again, Boyd wasn’t given the opportunity to put his obvious talents to any use and his loan spell ended up being a massive disappointment.
Other things went against us, with a couple of close offside calls, a crucial deflection for their second and Camp’s one error of the season for the opener. All that would detract from Blackpool’s all action performance that we had no answer to.
However, it’s been obvious for a while now that the likes of Tyson, Perch and Adebola just aren’t good enough to be part of a squad challenging in this league. McGugan and McGoldrick have also struggled to make any impression whilst Garner, McCleary and Lynch have generally been unable to get on the bench.
The chairman has indicated that up to three new faces were likely to arrive but realistically it should be up to double that to add both quality and depth to the squad. We were lucky with injuries until the closing stages and it would be unrealistic to expect the same next time around.
We also have to find a massive improvement on our travels. Four wins from 23 games is a pitiful return and one that has been masked by the incredible home form. Getting the most from the obvious talents of Earnshaw and Majewksi whilst retaining enough steel in midfield would be a start.
There's still plenty to be positive after a season that exceeded everyone's expectations. There are so many memorable moments to take away and with some minor improvements there’s no reason that we can’t enjoy a similar run next time around.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
0 Comments
Blackpool 2 - 1 Forest
08/05/10 12:45 Category: Championship | Play-offs
A third defeat to Blackpool proved to be a familiar story for Forest on our travels this season. Having established ourselves in the first half, we lacked that clinical finish to take advantage of a number of decent chances that came our way. Blackpool improved after the break and we were slightly fortunate to only find ourselves a single goal down going into the second leg. The returns of McKenna and Cohen were a timely boost but the loss of Moussi through injury was to cost us through the second half.
After an even opening spell, it was Forest who took an early through an outstanding curling effort from Cohen. There looked to be nothing on but the keeper could only watch it fly into the top corner. Morgan almost doubled the lead, narrowly missing Cohen’s curling free kick before some slack defending gifted them an equaliser.
Their full back carried the ball across the penalty area before finding an unmarked player wide left to cross for another left all alone to score with a scuffed shot. Really poor defending when we needed to be at our best. Question marks over Anderson’s marking of the full back, Perch going missing at right back and no one marking in the centre.
Forest responded well and should have been back in front before half time. Anderson skipped down the left, crossed for Blackstock’s looping header off the bar and Tyson’s rebound over. Morgan was unlucky not to score with another effort cleared via the post.
Half-time came at the wrong time with Forest looking dangerous on the break, especially with Anderson down the left hand side. However, it was a different story in the second half as Blackpool took advantage of a weary Forest midfield to cause us numerous problems.
With Cohen and McKenna lacking fitness and Moussi out injured, we struggled to contain their movement from midfield. Finally their pressure counted with Perch committed a needless clumsy foul when there where others better placed to clear. Camp was sent the wrong way from Adam’s spot kick.
Perch was nowhere to be seen as Campbell was clean through but fortunately his effort cleared the bar. We had another escape when Wilson’s perfect tackle on the edge of the area was harshly judged to be a foul. The resulting kick from Adam could only hit the wall. Another bobbling shot towards the end crept just past the post with the Forest defence only watching on.
Cohen, yet again, continued to be the one most likely to equalise for us. One free kick from the edge of the area narrowly over whilst another long range injury effort needed a great low save from their keeper.
MOTM Wilson was one of the few to perform as expected for the full game. Cohen looked very good in patches but understandably tired in the closing stage. Anderson always seemed the most likely to create something in the first half but contributed little after the break.
Both Perch and Tyson continued their recent indifferent form and should find their places in doubt from Chambers and Earnshaw to provide greater attacking threat. McGoldrick and Earnshaw didn’t really make much impact as second half replacements after the workrate that Blackstock displayed. It looked a perfect chance for Garner to continue his recent form.
Despite finding ourselves behind, we’re still right in the contention for the tie overall. Back amongst familiar surroundings with a decent surface and a more favourable referee, there’s no reason why we can’t get the opening goal and take it from there.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Newcastle 2 - 0 Forest
29/03/10 19:45 Category: Championship
No real complaints over the result, Newcastle probably just edged the game but we contributed to a decent game which turned on the opening goal. If we’d nicked a goal at the start of the second half, we might have seen a repeat of the West Brom performance but we failed to score when playing well and suffered as a result.
Having looked pretty comfortable for an hour, we conceded a really unlucky goal and the game slipped away from us. Cohen’s square pass hit Majewski’s heal and fell nicely for Ameobi to score with a scuffed shot through Perch’s legs into the bottom corner.
Tiredness and injury saw the withdrawal of Tyson, Majewski and Blackstock and we looked half the team as McCleary, Earnshaw and McGoldrick barely contributed.
Unfortunately, once the opening goal had been conceded we never looked like getting back into the game and it was no surprise when they killed off the game in injury time with another classy finish. Credit to our travelling fans - very few left after the second goal, despite the long journey home, to applaud the team off after a creditable performance.
This left us with a very similar feeling to most of the other recent away defeats. We didn’t make the most of the opportunities came our way, gave away goals that could have been prevented and lacked a little bit of support from the officials. A couple of over the top challenges didn’t receive the punishment they deserved whilst we had more reasonable penalty shouts turned down.
Defensively we looked pretty solid with MOTM Perch having an outstanding first half and another decent performance after the break. The current setup with him at right back and Gunter at left back looks like our best option despite losing the obvious attacking prowess of the latter on his natural side.
In midfield, we found space going forwards and looked dangerous on the break, however too often we lacked that clinical pass when we looked like threatening. We contained them pretty well for the first half and then had a real go after the break. Blackstock swung and missed and then lacked a little composure with another chance. Tyson’s free header was probably the best chance and he should have done much better than tamely find their keeper.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Barnsley 2 - 1 Forest
16/03/10 19:45 Category: Championship
Another away trip to mediocre opposition but yet another defeat. The belief that flowed through the side a couple of months ago is a distant memory as we stutter through away games and struggle to exert any impression on the opposition.
It was far from our worst performance of the season but still not really good enough for a side challenging at the top of the Championship. The defence looks fragile when placed under the slightest pressure, whilst the midfield struggles to keep possession for long enough to create enough for the forwards in front of them.
In a scrappy first half, Adebola missed a couple of decent chances when through on goal with the game goal-less. At the other end, Barnsley won most of the ‘second balls’ but weren’t good enough to seriously threaten apart from the one chance that came their way.
A free kick on the half way line was lumped into the area where Morgan didn’t challenge properly, they kept the ball alive and scored with a looping header from about 14 yards. We should easily have defended this but yet another sloppy goal to concede.
Adebola missed one chance on his right foot and then hit an even better, with his stronger left, wide again. The rest was a frustrating experience with the side never really looking like hitting any form.
Similar story in the second half and eventually the frustration got too much for Earnshaw with a laughable challenge on one of their players to concede a needless penalty.
Things only really improved when Blackstock replaced Adebola and started to show some real attacking threat. One header destined for the top corner was well saved but he was unable to hold onto another effort and Blackstock was first to score from the rebound.
We had plenty of possession and crosses into the box but it felt like it wasn’t going to be our night until yet another terrible refereeing decision against us. After recent penalty shouts denied in most away games, this time Earnshaw pounced on a goal keeping mistake to ‘equalise’ but an alleged foul on their keeper soon saw it ruled out. The frustrations of our players was there for all to see after another one of those games where form, luck and rubbish officials went against us.
No real players stood out but MOTM Moussi had a reasonable game in midfield and did most the scruffy things pretty well. Perch looked an obvious weak-link in defence, whilst Wilson and Morgan never really dominated their forwards as they are easily capable of. Majewksi struggled to show his talents in midfield whilst Adebola led the line well but his first half misses cost us badly.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Preston 3 - 2 Forest
13/03/10 15:00 Category: Championship
The improvement in the second half doesn’t mask the fact that we still look very weak on our travels and have done for a number of weeks now. Despite showing how capable we are going forwards at home, we display very little attacking intent away from the City Ground. Too often we let the opposition dictate the pattern of the game and we struggle to get going until it’s too late.
Following the West Brom game, we get very little time on the ball in midfield with teams adopting a more physical approach to prevent us passing through them. We have to adapt our approach away from home to stand up for ourselves and win the midfield battles on bobbly pitches that don't suit our natural style of play.
During the unbeaten run, we benefitted from a number of generous decisions but favours from referees have deserted us with, amongst other things, a number of recent penalty appeals being ignored.
Preston started the scoring as we were attacking with one of our own corners. The ball was cleared to the half-way line where we lost possession and found ourselves out-numbered down our right. Wallace beat Camp with ease with a calm low shot after a couple of simple passes opened up the defence.
The second arrived from a messy challenge from Cohen defending a corner. It looked like both players grappling with each other but the referee decided in their favour – Cohen really shouldn’t have got involved. Davidson hit the penalty down the middle to double the lead. Shortly after, it became three as we didn’t close down their players in midfield and James struck one from 25 yards out of nothing, straight into the top corner – Camp again with no chance.
There weren’t many to come through the first half with any credit. Boyd and Moussi won a few challenges in midfield but there was very little to get excited about. We looked a mess throughout. McGugan had our best chance with a long range curling effort that dipped narrowly wide. He paid the price for a laboured half and was replaced by Chambers – who became yet another stand-in left back for this season.
Boos followed the half-time whistle and there were plenty of travelling reds who didn’t bother coming back for the second half. Despite their three goal lead, there wasn’t much to fear from Preston and an early goal could make things interesting.
We got our first decision of the afternoon when Chambers lifted the ball over the top for Cohen to run into the area where he was brought down – Blackstock coolly converted the penalty.
From this point onwards, there was only one team in the game and Forest attacked at every opportunity. We started playing much more direct and got the ball forward quickly and with purpose. Blackstock suddenly had supporting players around him as finally McGoldrick and Cohen got into the game in an attacking sense.
Earnshaw joined the action and took advantage of Blackstock’s excellent control and pass to make a difficult chance look very easy. The remainder was all Forest but despite throwing everything at Preston we couldn’t find the equaliser. Having given the early penalty for our opener, the referee decided that one was enough for the afternoon and turned down a number of decent shouts.
Getting MOTM Cohen into midfield sparked the difference in performance and yet again illustrates the shambolic situation at a club without a recognised first team left back. His fight and energy turned what could have easily been another 5-0 Burnley defeat into nearly a valuable point.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Leicester 3 - 0 Forest
27/02/10 15:00 Category: Championship
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.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Doncaster Rovers 1 - 0 Forest
13/02/10 15:00 Category: Championship
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.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Coventry 1 - 0 Forest
09/02/10 19:45 Category: Championship
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.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Derby County 1 - 0 Forest
03/01/10 13:00 Category: Championship
Despite the feeling of invincibility that’s surrounded the club post-West Brom, the unbeaten run was always going to end at some stage. Just a shame that it had to be our neighbours who enjoy the pleasure but there would have been more damage done had we lost to one of our promotion rivals. We’ll quickly write this one off and get back to business next Saturday.
No complaints over the result, they just about deserved the points despite the unsavoury feeling that now accompanies these matches. Non-league Nigel didn’t do himself any favours with an afternoon spent on the touch-line arm-waving and moaning at the slightest decision.
This was one of those very rare occasions this season where we didn’t perform anywhere near our potential. The team selection didn’t help and it still feels like Billy got it wrong. Having dominated the midfield at West Brom, it seemed obvious to rest Earnshaw and get Moussi in there but we chose to retain an unchanged team. Having demolished QPR in mid-week you can see the logic but we badly missed the extra man deeper.
As the game proceeded, we were out-fought in midfield and could only bring on Moussi and Adebola as we chased the game. We should have tried to out-number them in midfield and increase our attacking options in the second half, not reduce them.
We were unable to get any control of the midfield to get our quick passing on the break working and struggled to create and chances. Earnshaw’s early low shot almost squeezed through the legs on the line whilst Blackstock and then Anderson failed to fully capitalised on Gunter’s perfect right wing cross.
Majewski produced the one moment of quality, beating two men, but the pull back was fired at Anderson when more precision was required. We should have had the chance to equalised from the spot after Blackstock was hauled down in the area having turned their defender and through on goal. Amazingly the decision went the other way when a penalty and red card looked the only possible outcome. This summed up the frustrating afternoon nicely.
At the other end, their lack of style was there for all to see. With the midfield almost ignored, every set piece was launched towards our area even from within their own half. Missing Shorey’s calming influence, we conceded too many free kicks and corners and eventually got caught out. Commons free-kick saw Hulse beat Perch in the air leaving Camp with no chance.
Hulse can consider himself lucky to have still been on the pitch, after one poor challenge saw a yellow card, he then went studs first into Wilson – definite foul and second yellow but nothing given. With stronger officials, this would have been clamped down earlier in the game.
MOTM Camp was solid throughout and was one of the few who played to their potential. Defensively we looked pretty solid from the numerous set pieces but lacked the qualities of Shorey to prevent them in the first place. Perch played well on Tuesday night but wasn’t really tested. We got found out here and shows exactly why a dedicated left back is required. Morgan and Wilson won plenty in the air but it was only a matter of time before someone escaped from their attention.
We lacked numbers in midfield due to the decent job they did in stopping us playing and as a result the forwards struggled to make any real impact. Their work-rate was impressive and hassled us well throughout as we struggled to make many telling contributions going forwards.
Credit to Billy for lifting the spirits of the travelling fans at the end. Obviously we’re disappointed with the result, but full of beans he wanders over pointing to his chest and pointing upwards (presumably to the Premier League) – the club is in good hands and has a lot to look forward this season, unlike our neighbours...
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Forest 0 - 1 Blackpool
19/09/09 15:00 Category: Championship
by Simon Hough... our very own Roving Reporter!
A dismal afternoon from start to finish, we were always going to be in trouble from the minute that the team sheet was revealed. We badly lacked some quality and composure in midfield and resorted to long spells of aimless play more in desperation than expectation of scoring.
The decision to drop in-form Anderson for Moussi and sticking Cohen on the right hand side of midfield defies belief. I thought we'd moved away from those days as soon as Calderwood left the club. Cohen looks a shadow of last season's top man being asked to play all over the pitch. If Moussi needs games to gain match fitness that Tuesday’s game in the Carling Cup would have been perfect to give McKenna the night off. If Majewski is not available then surely McGugan is next in line not Moussi. On the evidence of his Forest career so far, Moussi should be considered as McKenna’s backup and no more. As usual, we seem to worry too much about stopping the opposition and not getting on with our own game. Davies’s post-match comments that we picked a team to combat Blackpool’s strengths were just laughable. We should be worrying about the problems that we can cause the opposition and not the other way around. Typically for this season, just as we started to cause Blackpool some problems, we gifted them a goal. McGoldrick gave Moussi no chance in midfield, leaving Adam to run straight past our midfield and defence and score with ease past Camp. We created a few half chances but the final efforts on goal left a lot to be desired. Too often their keeper made a routine save without having to exert himself. Whenever we got the ball wide and caused them problems, we lacked bodies in the box to take advantage. Camp had no chance with the goal due to the failings of the defence and midfield in front of him. One quality save early in the second half prevented things from getting even worse when the defence failed to clear again. The defence weren’t that bad but were rarely threatened. MOTM |
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here
Forest 2 - 4 Watford
18/08/09 19:45 Category: Championship
No complaints with the starting line-up with Earnshaw and Blackstock up front and McGugan back into midfield. After a tough start, this looked a decent chance to get the season up and running but things weren’t going to turn out that way. We never really looked like a settled side and allowed a disciplined but average Watford side to turn out worthy winners.
The early stages were end to end with both sides very close to scoring. Anderson took advantage of some dodgy defending but couldn’t beat their keeper and then Tyson created a decent chance for Blackstock but off target. At the other end Camp produced a decent low save and then found himself nowhere from a right wing cross that should have been converted.
After a promising start, we started to lose our way after McGugan’s unfortunate collision with their keeper. Another one of those incidents that didn’t go our way on the night. The resulting rebound didn’t fall for one of our players with their keeper stranded.
The game was going nowhere when they scored from nowhere. Cohen and Lynch got in each others way and Morgan lost out at the far post with Camp stranded. Poor defending all round.
We looked pretty hopeless for the most of the half, resorting to aimless long balls with little build-up play. The referee missed a blatant hand-ball to prevent Earnshaw getting through on goal but nothing much to get excited about. The equaliser,on half time, was a surprise. McKenna’s ball found Blackstock with a good first touch and calm finish.
Suddenly we started playing again and we didn’t want the half to end but couldn’t find that finish. It looked as though we had to improve in the second half and still looked set for three points.
Having got away with patched up defence, we got caught out time and again in the second half and deservedly got a hammering. When we played properly, we created chances but these were very rare and no complaints on the final result. Too often, we lacked any purpose with no real ideas of how to break down a resolute defence. Their centre backs were more than capable of dealing with a succession of long balls and we didn’t possess the quality to change the game in our favour.
One right wing throw in wasn’t lacked that dominant clearance and they took advantage. Shortly after, they took advantage of a non-existent midfield to score from the edge of the area.
Substitutes McGoldrick and Adebola looked lively and they combined for the latter to score with a steady finish. Normal service was resumed with more poor defending allowed them to kill the game off.
Camp didn’t have much chance with the goals due to the woeful defending in front of him. Cohen in particular found himself exposed on a regular basis and all the goals originated from that side of the pitch. The sooner he finds himself back into centre midfield, the better. Morgan, Lynch and Gunter all had poor nights.
McGugan had looked okay in the early stages but now finds himself out for weeks with a fractured cheekbone. Replacement Majewski looks okay in patches but not yet capable of a central midfield role on a long term basis. MOTM McKenna found himself over-run in midfield with no obvious support around him. Anderson and Tyson showed promise in patches but neither made the most of decent openings that presented themselves. We badly lack Cohen’s energy and presence in midfield as displayed all through last season. Regardless of the effect on the defence, he has to play in his best position.
With Earnshaw you have to accept that he won’t contribute much during the ninety minutes but he has the ability to score goals from nothing. Unfortunately, with him lacking sharpness in front of goal and that clinical finish, you’re carrying a passenger already. Blackstock looked reasonable in patches, took his goal well but the service was pretty poor.
Adebola was lucky not to get sent off for a blatant elbow but produced a neat finish for his goal. McGoldrick also looked lively on the right wing and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see these two leading the line in Billy’s next random front line generator at QPR.
Forest 0 - 1 West Bromwich Albion
15/08/09 15:00 Category: Championship
We didn’t really deserve that result and did more than enough to warrant (at least) a point against an unadventurous and ordinary West Brom side.
Albion barely showed any attacking intent throughout the game. Apart from the early free kick and the freak own goal they showed very little ambition. Greening displayed a few moments of quality but the rest of the side resorted to cynical fouls, time wasting and the pathetic diving of Craig Beattie.
Despite our obvious defensive absences, our problems were at the other end. We missed a series of chances including an Earnshaw penalty whilst Albion accepted the gift own goal and couldn’t wait for the game to end. Adebola missed a couple of relatively straight-forward chances and had another ‘goal’ harshly ruled out.
Camp was barely involved throughout. One impressive save from an early free kick and apart that that, very quiet. In front of him, no obvious weak links as the back four and midfield restricted West Brom to very rare attacks.
MOTM McKenna continued his form from Reading, controlling everything in midfield and even finding team to burst forward and get a couple of efforts on goal. He’ll form the heartbeat of the team in midfield and will be vital to our season. He provided a barrier in front of the defence, whilst still finding time to drive the team forward and get shots on goal.
Majewski started brightly but faded in the second half when we badly needed someone to compliment McKenna’s presence. McGugan looked to have a point to prove when he joined the action and looked a better option overall. One definite change that we should be considering for Tuesday’s game.
Anderson also started very brightly with a series of dangerous runs down the right but again faded in the second half and it wasn’t a surprise when he was replaced. His presence gives us a much better balance and never fails to get back and help out the defence.
Tyson looked a threat throughout and caused numerous problems down the left despite the heavy challenge in mid-week. The standard of his final crosses was pretty good and too often the quality of his runs wasn’t matches by the finishing of his team-mates. It’s definitely worth persevering with him down the left.
Garner struggled to make any real impression on the game and it was hard to work out exactly where he was playing. Too often he’d drifted back into midfield when he needed to be much closer to his striking partner. He’s not doing enough to justify a starting place so far – admittedly only two games in.
Adebola worked tirelessly for the side and caused constant problems throughout, even up against their physical centre backs. Should have finished at least one of two rebounds that fell his way and had another goal harshly ruled out. The only slight downside of Adebola’s inclusion is that we tended to become a little predicable, looking to find him at the edge of the penalty area regardless of where we’re in possession.
Blackstock joined the party for the closing stages and looked sharp. One towering header looked to be heading for the top corner until Carson produced a smart save.
Whilst Earnshaw will rightly be criticised for losing the mind games with Carson, it was his direct incisive run that caused produced the rash challenge. Carson messed around on his line; Earnshaw started, stopped, stuttered to the ball and then scooped it wide. Pretty poor for someone of his experience when all he should be concentrating on is hitting the target.
The choice of the front two continues to cause debate. Adebola caused problems throughout with an impressive first touch and ability to bring others into the game. However, Garner never really got close enough to make the most of Adebola’s build-up play and for long spells we looked a little disjointed, almost playing 451. Blackstock also looked a real threat when he joined up with Earnshaw for the latter stages and deserves to be given an extended spell inthe side.
I’d like to see Earnshaw and Blackstock given a chance on Tuesday with McGugan also getting a start. Earnshaw’s quality in front of goal (penalty apart) should make him first choice up front.
There was still plenty to be positive about from the performances of our make-shift defence, to McKenna in midfield and Tyson / Adebola up front. At least Tuesday’s game against Watford an early chance to get this out of our system.
Don’t forget to place your Forest bets with our sponsor Victor Chandler... [Click Here