Matchday 33 - Nottingham Forest v Wolverhampton Wanderers. Saturday, 13th April KO 3:00pm

[Flaggers]

I’m afraid a home draw against an ordinary Wolves side doesn’t cut the mustard in
a desperate relegation battle.
I felt Forest were the better side overall but lacked the conviction to claim 3 vital points.
I feel it’s now 50/50 between us and Luton for the final place in the Championship next year.
Really disappointed tonight.

More points than the team we need to score as many points as, and an improvement on the goal difference too.

If we were a team that was going to win every home game we needed to, we wouldn't need to win every home game....

And neither are Luton.

The solution to our PSR issues is to pay players a basic wage and then performance and win bonuses that would bring them up to what they're on now.

 

[Malwood]

Well I realised I was watching the wrong game by mistake when the team in red scored from a corner and came back from a losing position, which obviously Forest never do. But then they conceded a set piece goal to throw the points away, and I realised I was watching the Forest game after all.

 

[Cloughie1975]

More points than the team we need to score as many points as, and an improvement on the goal difference too.

If we were a team that was going to win every home game we needed to, we wouldn't need to win every home game....

And neither are Luton.

The solution to our PSR issues is to pay players a basic wage and then performance and win bonuses that would bring them up to what they're on now.

Luton were always going to get Rogered at Manchester City.
As for your PSR point-that’s what Clough did in 1977 rather successfully-it’s surprising how
results improve when there’s a real incentive.
A different game (sadly) now though.

 

[Notcher]

Novel approach to our shit team in not picking eleven players.

Yeah I realised afterwards

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

Yeah I realised afterwards

To be fair I'd rather play with ten men than 11 with Origi at the moment.

 

[Notcher]

To be fair I'd rather play with ten men than 11 with Origi at the moment.

Baffling isn't it. I think I mentioned earlier I would rather Ribeiro had a bash at being the replacement sub on the right

 

[eyupmeduck]

Baffling isn't it. I think I mentioned earlier I would rather Ribeiro had a bash at being the replacement sub on the right

I'd like Origi to play much wider on the right than he does, either car park will be fine.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk

 

[andyd]

Another gut punch to fail to win that, but a point isn't a terrible result. For all the must win talk we weren’t guaranteed to stay up if we won today and we aren’t guaranteed to go down because we didn’t.

I don’t understand this talk about Luton having an easier run in than we do when we get to play 3 of the bottom 5. Calling that tough is just Forest goggles in light of our away struggles, objectively it’s a very kind run in, Man City apart, much better than Luton’s when looked at in light of the league table.

Even so, we know we are in a massive battle and we have to show we’re up for the scrap. They did that today in my opinion and all is not lost. But for the points deduction we’d basically be safe now, objectively we aren’t one of the three worst teams in this league irrespective of how poor we’ve been but our financial self harm has us in harm’s way.

We CAN do this, even though it’s going to be a nerve shredding five games. Luton are an even poorer team than we are as the season to this point proves, we just have to make sure the league table shows it 5 games from now as it has most of the year. I’ll be there at Goodison in full belief that we can get something whilst fully expecting Brentford to turn Luton over. Let’s stick with this team, there’s nothing to be gained from throwing the towel in now. COYR!

 

[PynchonForest]

Disappointing result. We were somewhat better than Wolves. Danilo, Murillo and MGW were fantastic. CHO was quite good, albeit just a bit off things. Reyna looked quite good--he's an elegant player. Williams and Aina both good. Obamadele so-so, and Yates was shit. Sels, a bit disappointed on their equalizer. Yates first. His horrible giveaway in our back third was saved by a Murillo miracle---that is one of the best thefts of a sure goal you will ever see. Their first goal, Obamadele was beaten BUT if Yates had closed Cunha down properly the shot would have never happened. So both Yates and Obama poor on that. Sels can't really be faulted, in my view. Second goal, Sels just wasn't good enough. Not certain who got beat for the free header, but whomever that person is, they are just as culpable as Sels on that one, and their rating goes down a notch. Another set piece cockup. Real f***ing poor. Pawson was good, we can have no complaints about the referee today.

 

[Alf-engelos Mindminackers]

I don’t understand this talk about Luton having an easier run in than we do when we get to play 3 of the bottom 5.

....away from home.

3 wins in 2 years suggests that, whomever we play against, playing away from home doesn't yield many wins for us.

 

[andyd]

....away from home.

3 wins in 2 years suggests that, whomever we play against, playing away from home doesn't yield many wins for us.

Which is why I said that it’s only Forest goggles that let you say that. It also chooses to ignore that we’ve looked a lot more competitive away this season than last even if wins have still been scarce, and we haven’t played 3 of the 5 worst teams yet; take into account our one away win last season was against the worst team in the league.

We weren’t lucky to beat Chelsea and Newcastle away this season and were then totally shafted at Man United and Brentford as well, we could and should have won both with competent officials. Using last season’s away form to make your argument stronger is pointless Alf. Our run in is favourable, we have to get the job done away from home and if we can’t we’ll deserve to tumble out of the league as this season’s Leeds.

 

[Statto]

Baffling isn't it. I think I mentioned earlier I would rather Ribeiro had a bash at being the replacement sub on the right

Agreed, at least we know Origi does absolutely fa so if the kid comes on and does that he can't do any worse.

Who knows, he might even come on with a point to prove and help get the ball in that white thing.

Origi's inclusion is at least logical as he is the third choice striker at the club behind Awoniyi and Wood, and the former is injured. Other than playing Elanga (also injured) or MGW (Not a striker) in those positions and not having an actual striker on the pitch, it makes sense why he's been getting minutes, even though asking him to be dangerous for us is like asking Richard Whitehead to beat Maurice Greene (the runner not the musician) in a flat 100m race.. and the unanswered question is whether in a first team environment, during a competitive game, the kid is any better. And can he be any worse?

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

....away from home.

3 wins in 2 years suggests that, whomever we play against, playing away from home doesn't yield many wins for us.

Sheff Utd and Burnley are worse than Southampton were last season and we beat them.

Treat every game individually. No reason to fear Jack Robinson and Arjinet Muric.

 

[Alf-engelos Mindminackers]

Which is why I said that it’s only Forest goggles that let you say that. It also chooses to ignore that we’ve looked a lot more competitive away this season than last even if wins have still been scarce, and we haven’t played 3 of the 5 worst teams yet; take into account our one away win last season was against the worst team in the league.

We weren’t lucky to beat Chelsea and Newcastle away this season and were then totally shafted at Man United and Brentford as well, we could and should have won both with competent officials. Using last season’s away form to make your argument stronger is pointless Alf. Our run in is favourable, we have to get the job done away from home and if we can’t we’ll deserve to tumble out of the league as this season’s Leeds.

What argument? I'm just explaining to you why people think that.

Time will tell if there's any stock in it.

 

[Rockabilly]

I fear our set piece defending.
I fear our inability to keep a clean sheet.
I fear we are too generous with our gifts to the opposition.

Cut the above out, we'd have a half decent team.

 

[Red Ray's Redlist]

What this game has shown me is that the midfield 2 definitely needs to be Danilo and Dominguez. Danilo simply because he's fought his way in and is there on Merit. Probably my MOTM today and as soon as Dominguez came on he showed how much more forward thinking he is. The ball moved quicker and it was more fluid.

I can't see it for Everton. We'll want as much height as we can get out there.

But I agree in general. Dominguez has been very harshly treated. He's quality.

 

[RedRich]

Well I realised I was watching the wrong game by mistake when the team in red scored from a corner and came back from a losing position, which obviously Forest never do. But then they conceded a set piece goal to throw the points away, and I realised I was watching the Forest game after all.

Similar happened to me years ago, watching us v swindon in a pub. Stood at a distance from the screen and the boys in red and white playing some nice football. All good.

Got a little closer to the screen after 'we' scored n then realised we were in out away kit. Should have gone specsavers...

 

[Notcher]

I can't see it for Everton. We'll want as much height as we can get out there.

But I agree in general. Dominguez has been very harshly treated. He's quality.

I fear you're probably right in terms of it being what Nuno selects Ray. Either way we're shit on set pieces whether Yates is on the pitch or not so we're probably going to have to outscore Everton and the better we can retain possession to stop balls being constantly shelled in the better.

Dominguez will turn the team quicker in possession and he plays one and two touch which makes us more dynamic on the transition. I'd 100% start him

 

[Redofheaven2]

....away from home.

3 wins in 2 years suggests that, whomever we play against, playing away from home doesn't yield many wins for us.

It doesn’t, and to add to your argument I think Sheff u have only lost 3 of their last 6 and Burnley just one of the last 6.

The other side of the coin is that every team we have played in that period are better that Sheff U and Burnley.

Proper glass half full or half empty territory.

 

[RedHelly]

Watching MOTD and I've decided I'd sooner be out of the Prem. Bent and not fun at all . Love you Reds.

 

[It's Baggio]

An okay performance but another missed opportunity. We played some decent football without ever reaching the type of fluency we displayed in the Fulham game. I thought we started well and with plenty of intent but sat off too much as the half went on & let Wolves have too much 'easy' possession. They didn't do too much with it but as ever, Forest are always there to help. First Yates lays a chance on a plate with a poorly hit pass on the edge of his own box, one which Murillo eventually clears off the line. Then Omobamidele lets Cunha in with a typical piece of weak one v one defending & he sticks it in the top corner.

Getting the equaliser before HT was a huge boost and it came from a likely source (!). Who'd have thought the bloke that's been on our mostly poor set-pieces was the only one capable of getting on the end of one? Anyway, it was a good header from MGW who as usual, was the best player on the park.

The second half started slowly but burst into life just before we got the 2nd. Danilo (BST) doing what he does best with a driving run forward and into the box where he finished nicely. He's a much better played when he's able to make runs forward but a bit like Yates, he makes too many sloppy passes in his own half. The euphoria lasted barely 5 minutes as Forest failed to defend a bog-standard corner, Wood mis-judged the flight of the initial ball & Sels for some reason decided to palm a pretty standard take into a crowded 6 yard box. Forest huffed & puffed but got worse as the last 20 minutes went on. Dominguez did okay but in general I thought the subs made us worse, especially Origi/Tavares who were both inept.

It was interesting to watch how we lined up today, quite often dropping into a back 3 with CHO filling in at LWB. Was that to match up with Wolves or an effort to get Reyna into a no.10 position alongisde MGW? It might have worked a little better but I thought Williams had a really poor game & was so wasteful whenever he received the ball in the attacking third. It also meant we struggled to get CHO on the ball in the attacking wide left position where he can be dangerous.

There's no doubt that Dominguez & Danilo are our most talented central midfielders right now but can Nuno trust those two as a defensive pair when we have a back 5 that struggles to defend any sort of pressure, especially aerially? Murillo in general had a good game, he was essentially our playmaker in possession and played some nice passes forward & into midfield. Omobamidele was pretty poor but I really don't know how we'll deal with the bombardment that will undoubtedly come from Everton next week.

 

[JohnnyCarey]

I can't be doing with this "we played great except for a few brain farts in defence" stuff. This is "other than that how did you enjoy the theatre Mrs Lincoln?" levels of denial. Defensive brain farts are not a bug for Forest -- they're a feature.
We have lost 50 points from winning positions this season. 50 points!!! There's no other team that does this shit so consistently. It's our brand, our MO, our USP.
And it's inexcusable. It's bad coaching, bad management, bad leadership.
Look at Wolves equalising goal, the one that cost us 2 points we desperately need. It's farcical. Nobody in a red shirt (or whatever colour shirt Sels was wearing) seems to have a clue what he's doing.
And yet this is no surprise -- we do this over and over and over again. WTF is this about? Nuno brought in a whole new backroom team of coaches. What do they do? Why did he effectively fire the setpiece coach? I haven't a clue but the problem is that nobody else at the club seems to have one either.
It really shouldn't be like this. We play a lot of good football. We have some wonderful young players. We showed that again today -- we were the better side. But yet again we pissed that superiority away. We can't make it count because there's a complete failure of basic defensive organisation.
It all leaves us in the humiliating position that we are dependent on Luton being worse than we are. It may well be that they are -- but we should be good enough to decide our own destiny.

 

[Red Echo]

I fear our set piece defending.
I fear our inability to keep a clean sheet.
I fear we are too generous with our gifts to the opposition.

Cut the above out, we'd have a half decent team.

Forest are just a bit too front-loaded this year, it seems.

Navas, Felipe, Aurier, Lodi - a step above in each respective position last year, in some cases significantly.

 

[Red Dog in a Forest]

Agree with most of the comments, which seem to highlight our lack of options in the squad.

Yates was poor, Sangare isn’t good enough currently, Dominguez should start.

A lack of options on the wing. We really missed Elanga today, without him we can’t stretch teams on the break. Origi was awful, Ribeiro looked a far better player in his short cameo.

Another set-piece error…we need to improve fast as Everton will target us all day long.

Reyna and Ribeiro look like they are settling in and should continue to get better. Elanga should be back next week and Awoniyi could feature before the end of the season.

No more Origi or Yates for the time being, although we will need more muscle against Everton.

Brentford are out of the mix now. I think Palace are back in it.

Luton have 5 winnable fixtures, but have the worst form and are plagued by injuries.

Forest have 4 winnable fixtures, have the best form over the last six and ten games. We always look like scoring.

Everton have 5 winnable fixtures, have worse form than us and like Luton are shipping goals.

Palace have 3 winnable fixtures. They should be ok, but are only 3-5 points away from trouble, which can change quickly.

I think we’ll be safe. Beat Everton and a point or two back from PSR and we’ll be in a good position.

Lose to Everton and it will go to the wire. Unless Everton beat Chelsea of course!

 

[Indored]

Disappointing result but think we were the better team overall. A lot of chances but scuffed the shots, on another day it’s a hatful of goals but thats football for you.
It’s not so easy for the top clubs to get through a team with 5 at the back and the rest defending and this is where we struggle a bit more than those.

Defensively need to do a bit more for wins but a point gets us further away from Luton which must be our main goal right now along with the goal difference improving, we may need this come the end of the season.

Onto Everton where if the decent Forest team turn up can give us something.
Going to be a tight finish to the season regardless of any PSR issues but I have hope that we can still do this as we just need that touch of luck to gain the required points.

Imagine how a win at Everton will change the league position and belief if Luton lose

For some weird reason I think we will get a point at City too, but don’t quote me on that one .