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

This season just gets better and better. This was supposed to be one of the toughest away trips of the season but we turned it into a stroll. We have the capabilities within this squad to answer any questions posed by anyone in this league. More importantly, we have a manager capable of getting the best from the squad. The way we’re playing, there’s no limit to how much we can achieve this season.

If Di Matteo thought that our lone striker formation indicated a defensive attitude to the game, then he was sadly mistaken. His team had no answer to the desire, pace and movement of our midfield and Gunter raiding down the right hand side. Anyone watching our team knows that the last thing we are is defensive with the number of options we possess. In the end, we were just too good for them.

This was our standard line-up against the tougher teams, this sees Moussi and McKenna marshal the midfield, allowing Cohen, Anderson and Majewski to cause havoc on the break, ably supported by the full backs to provide the width. Blackstock holds everything together with his work rate, hold-up and inter-play.

It took ten minutes for us to get going after a scrappy opening, but once we found our passing range there was no stopping us. Majewski corner’s found Blackstock on the volley to score with ease, off the post.

The hosts very rarely troubled us with Moussi and McKenna bossing the midfield. Every 50-50 was won by a red shirt, with the talent to attack, with quality, on the break. Gunter raided down the right, got to the bye-line but Majewski couldn’t convert the pull back – no matter, their time would come.

We continued to make West Brom look just as average after the break. They couldn’t handle our midfield and we stifled any intentions they had of playing football. The dominance of our midfield was evident with the two quick-fire goals that killed off the game.

No one apart from Moussi was bothered about their aimless clearance, Cohen nicked the ball away and into Gunter’s path. He continued into the area and his perfect cross found Majewski past the far post to score with an unbelievable left foot volley in off the bar. Unstoppable.

We continued in the same pattern and rounded things off with as good a team goal as you’ll see. A number of first time passes down the right hand side resulted in Cohen cutting inside onto his left foot and finding the bottom corner. A sign of the confidence that’s running through the side and it’s hard to imagine any recent Forest side scoring a goal of that quality.

Three goals ahead, we handed them a consolation goal. Morgan should have cleaned up either man or ball on the half-way line but a neat through ball and calm finish finally saw Camp beaten. Once Moussi had tired himself out, we lacked that dominating presence in midfield until Perch’s late appearance added some extra steel to the midfield to see us over the finishing line.   

Camp cruised through the game, handling everything that West Brom could manage. Set pieces and crosses were handled with ease, their late rally resulting in decent saves from Olsson and Miller.

Gunter nullified the supposed threat of Thomas down the left and continued to show his obvious qualities at the other end. The perfect cross for Raddy’s goal was only one of a number of dangerous runs forward. Shorey didn’t have the same impact going forward but he’s there to defend and did that job comfortably.

Centre backs Wilson and Morgan continue to go from strength to strength. One lapse cost us their goal but dominant throughout despite all the changes they made.

The game was won in midfield with everyone contributing. McKenna and Moussi were everywhere, never letting Albion settle. It was noticeable that Moussi’s departure led to a drop in the work-rate and allowed them more time on the ball. Things improved when Perch joined in for the closing stages to increase the number of challenges.

Anderson worked tirelessly at both ends and was really struggling in the latter stages. Looked lively with the ball and seems to be developing a more direct style now and taking men on. Should have earned the side a penalty after a blatant barge into his back. Cohen’s form has dipped in the past couple of games but he was looking back to his best here and looking much sharper. Rounded off a fantastic evenings work with a composed low finish for his first of the season.

This formation is reliant on MOTM Majewski’s movement, ability to find space and supporting Blackstock / tracking back when required. On this form, there’s no stopping him. Besides the obvious attacking threat his possesses, he still finds time to get back and do his share of defensive work. A finish out of this world for the second but one that he’s clearly capable of.
Blackstock hassled their defence throughout, never let them settle and forced them into numerous errors. Once the ball is under control, has the ability to make the most of it. On the rare occasions he gave the ball away, he’s always tracking back to make amends. A quality finish for the opener despite the cynical shirt pulling against him.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Radoslaw Majewski

Despite the windy conditions, we took advantage of a replacement keeper for the second time in a week to take nine points from six days. It wasn’t a great performance but still enough to justify the win. Their sub keeper struggled with every cross that came his way and it was only a matter of time before we took advantage. With a bit more luck, we’d have sealed the game earlier with three efforts hitting the woodwork before a couple of late scares.

Our performances over the past week show the benefit from seeing the return of Majewski in midfield and having two wingers providing balance on both sides. We’ve played okay but results come before style every time. Despite the in-different start, we’ve sneaked into the top ten and find ourselves only a point after the play-offs.

Camp continued his run of faultless performances. Not often threatened but showed steady handling whenever required to take pressure off the defence. A couple of smart saves in the closing stages ensured that we held onto the 3 points.

The defence looked pretty solid despite the conditions but still had to rely on their keeper at vital times. Morgan in particular stood out with numerous interventions and Cohen is now settling into left back. We got punished from one corner where we left their player unmarked and his header left Camp with no chance.

In midfield, Anderson didn’t have the most effective games but at least gives better shape to the side and means that we don’t always look for Tyson down the left. Another slightly fortunate scuffed finish was one of a number of decent chances and we should be expecting him to contribute more goals this season. Tyson, didn’t make the most of numerous opportunities down the left where a little more composure was required. He caused enough problems so that they had to resort to illegal measures to stop him.

As we’ve seen previously, MOTM Majewski’s return continues to bring out the best in McKenna. Whilst his goal was probably a fluke, aided by the wind and the sub keeper, it was thoroughly deserved based on his recent form. It was noticeable that sub Moussi looked much more composed and less gangly than his recent performance against Blackpool.

Blackstock has performed pretty well in recent games and deserves to be considered as the first choice up front. McGoldrick had a frustrating afternoon getting wrongly penalised time and again.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Radoslaw Majewski