United – Last year I came to Forest and we played really well. Duffy was sensational and we outplayed them most of the game. Somehow, we lost 2-1 in a game we bossed throughout save for two sloppy goals. We looked a really good side. We played great football and it was swashbuckling stuff all afternoon. I think despite the defeat even we shocked Forest that day how good we were. Today was nothing like that. We were pedestrian, poor in possession, gave the ball away and never looked like scoring. It was a really average-poor performance. We had no decent attempts on goal all game and the keeper did not make a save. The only saving grace is Forest were poor too. It was a rotten game with no quality really at all save for the cross for the goal. Outside of this I cannot think of many good moments either way. We need to do much more in such games if we want to stay in the top 6 by the end of the season as games likes that will happen quite a bit. We need to be able to raise our game, play higher up the pitch and try to dictate to teams. Today that simply did not happen. We were very passive and almost sluggish. Defensively we kept our shape and limited to them of course but it was like we were happy with the game being level. We needed to push onto them and turn them round but it never happened and we lacked belief that we could really hurt them.
It was a 0-0 game and like Bristol City and Derby we needed to just get the point and get out. As with those games we did not do that as other teams have produced that bit of quality to get three excellent crosses in to score and win games. So, games we should have got three draws from; we have lost all three. We were poor but deserved a draw but did not get it. After they scored we huffed and puffed but other than a scramble never really looked like scoring and there was no quality or composure all game. We never got behind them; the wing backs did not advance and the midfield was so fixed with no movement or penetration all game. We tried to pass it through all game and were three fixed compartments and with the passing poor; it meant we never had the ball for a decent spell all game. It was really disappointing. We did not press or harry and at times seemed to be just going through the motions. For a top of the table side; I felt as many Forest fans have said; we looked crap to be honest. We looked a side that would be mid table at best.
Worrying that we have played some of the better teams recently in Forest and Derby and both have not been that great but have beaten us still. We have to do much better. Both games were winnable but individually and collectively we were found lacking. We were desperately missing someone getting on the ball and taking the game by the scruff of the neck but it was all so passive. No one wanted to make a difference and seize the initiative. I actually felt we lacked belief today. We were top of the league and confidence should have been high but we looked like we did not believe we would create much or score a goal which is bizarre. Is it all down to Basham and Duffy not playing? We will have times when players miss and it was not like Coutts and Cranie were awful but we did not look the same team and miss the threats they give us. With McGoldrick on the bench our attacking threat was nil. I did not think we were ever going to score today at all. I did not see us conceding either but when it did come; we had a long time to get back into it but never looked like even getting a clear chance.
So, on we go to Friday. Wednesday are in a bit of a mess and both teams managers will want a reaction. We have to put in a 90 minute performance which we have not done since the international break and even though we are still 2nd; it is one win, two defeats and a draw since and sadly as we have started to play some of the better teams at least table wise; results have dropped off and indeed performances (Stoke for 70 mins and Derby for 45 apart) have not been that great. Still it is a weird division and we are still 2nd and can go back top with a win on Friday. There are so many odd results at this level so anything could happen Friday night. We need to make sure we are bang at it. If we can start well and get that first goal I feel we will win but the longer the game goes on; they do have some quality that can still score goals out of nothing (Reach, Joao etc) but if we play like we can do then I feel we will win.
Forest – The annoying thing is they were not great. I never felt they threatened to rip us open. They had a few breaks as we chased the game at 1-0 but they were quite cautious for the most part for a team with some talented players. They almost seemed to be settling for a draw and I felt the goal came out of nothing. They will say that the keeper did not have a save of note to make but then neither did ours. It was a really poor game and one that was for the taking if Unite had played anything like. Forest did not offer half the threats Derby did or even Wigan the previous week but ultimately did not have to do too much to get the win. One decent ball and poachers’ flick and the game was over. Forest defended really comfortably after we conceded and like Derby I never felt we looked like scoring save for a bit of a scramble from a corner in each respective game that I suppose could have gone in.
I really did expect more from Forest. They showed a few decent bits of play at times but gave it away a lot and did not really have much of an attacking thrust at all. I did not see a team that I feel will rip teams apart and seemed more workmanlike despite having spent a lot of money and having a much bigger wage bill than us. However, they will see us as being top of the league and think the league is wide open. Both teams looked miles off promotion sides on todays evidence and then you look at the table and wonder how both would be so high up based on what we saw but it was one game. On that one game you would expect both of us to be around mid-way at the end of the season as there was very little quality on show.
Opponent man of the match – They gave Dawson man of the match for simply heading a few balls away and dealing with the easiest opponent he will have all year in what Clarke offered up against him. Carvalho showed some decent touches and made the goal. The lad I was probably most impressed by was Guedioura. He was better than anything we had in midfield and controlled play for long spells. Our midfield never had control of the match at all and gave it away. He was the player who kept the ball the best for me. They had one of key men out injured in Colback but still controlled midfield. Shows that others have more depth than us sadly as when we lost key men we struggled.
Weak link – Just as there was no real stand outs; not sure there were any weak links. They were just all very average. I expected more from the likes of Lolley and Cash but they were not in the game that much either as attacking forces. Not sure the lad Robinson is any better than we have – know we chased him a lot last summer. Pantilimon always has a mistake in him and nearly shoved a corner into his own net but we never really tested him at all – in fact we did not test him at all.