Originally Posted by
MadAmster
Totally underwhelming. Both sides really. They nicked a very early one and then set up to contain and counter. That allied to a very physical approach from them was always going to make it difficult for us to get back into the game and so it proved. 64% possession, 80% of which was our back 5 making pretty patterns in a slow kind of keepball that only served to give Forest time. Not a good game for the fervent fan never mind the neutral ones. There were but 4 shots (2 each) on target the whole game including their goal......... Them because they were content to sit back and be awkward to beat. Us because...... well, we didn't do what was needed to beat them. In contrast to the 2 previous games where there was absolutely no movement to give the man in possession passing options we saw Wilson, Cole, Waghorn, Marriott and Holmes making some good runs. However, all too often, the man in possession, rather than make the killing pass, chose to check back the other way and play a less adventurous but safer pass. When the pass was hit, it was poor. Especially the normally so reliable Hudds was way off the mark and seriously needs ro recalibrate his radar. Corners and free kicks were poor, more hit and hope than any intention.
Roos - Not at fault for the goal and did nothing wrong the rest of the time. One 25 yard dash out of his area to intercept a long ball intended for Lolley (Carson would never have attempted the run) and did nothing wrong. Should IMO keep the shirt for the Villa game.
Bogle - not his best game. We are, IMO, seeing more of the winger he used to be and less of the full back he is now supposed to be. It was his mis-hit header that set up their goal but I don't blame him for it. At 5' 10 he was contesting for the ball against 6 foot plus opponents and at least managed to get something on it and at least he jumpes for the ball which is more than we can say for some of his teammates when play is up the other end of the pitch...... more of that later.
Keogh - Defensively sound but too many poor passes
Tomori - Read Keogh. One of the players on the park from both sides who was lucky not to get a 2nd yellow
Cole - Had a decent first half. 2nd half, for some reason he kept getting caught in possession. It looked very much like the cause was a refusal to use his right foot, making it easy for them to put him under pressure and in trouble.
Holmes - ran himself ragged but most of his work was within 10 yards of the middle line. You don't hurt the opponents there
King - Has been a very good player, I don't think he is that player anymore. Unlucky to get injured. Even more unlucky that it was in one of the very few challenges that they put in that wasn't intended to take the man......
Hudds - Needs to recalibrate his radar.
Wilson - Made a lot of good runs that were ignored by his teammates. For the rest. I am still convinced that, depsite the skill he has, he is just too lightweight..... for this division at any rate. Gets clattered all game, no wonder he was injured again. Conversely, if he looks too hard at an opponent he gets booked.....
Marriott - put himself about but got very little decent ball to use. When he did get the ball he had a man all over him like a rash. I understand that he is only 5' 8 but when a high ball is hit towards him, I wish he would at least jump for it and put his opponent under some kind of pressure.
Waghorn - Read Marriott. Not much decent ball and needs to jump for high balls. Got our one 100% chance and put it wide but that was, IMO, down to Pantilimon getting his positioning absolutely spot on leaving him no option but to risk a chip towards that post that drifted just wide. had it been between the sticks Pantilimon would have stopped it.
Subs:
Jozezoon - Looked lively for 15 minutes and then seemed to disappear
Johnson - Had a good cameo
Bennett - Put himself about and finally (Nuge doesn't do it either) we had someone up top who jumps for high balls.
Over the 90 minutes I feel that a final score of 0-0 would have reflected the game much better. Neither side, IMO, deserved the win.