Official Matchday 18 - Forest v Bournemouth - 3pm Saturday 23rd December

[Gyros Peter]

Getting in there early - I'm long overdue a lucky matchday thread, and this is the one when Cooper gets back to winning ways, assuming of course Lopetegui has turns us down this weekend.

Next up Bournemouth, who have been in a bit of a reverse forest run since their very poor start.
My in depth analysis says we have nothing fear here, while secretly liking both Billing and Solanke as players.

Here's where Callum Hudson Odoi reannounces himself, playing in a fluid three with MGW and Elanga to add the quality to our recent upturn in work rate.

Cometh the hour... Come on you reds!

 

[Alf-engelos Mindminackers]

Lopetegui turns us down....Gerrard accepts

Whoever's in charge, I don't fancy us to get much from this unless someone else is in net who hasn't played there this season yet.

 

[Gyros Peter]

Lopetegui turns us down....Gerrard accepts

Whoever's in charge, I don't fancy us to get much from this unless someone else is in net who hasn't played there this season yet.

Nooooo!

My hope is that Vlachademos finds his pliers, and creates a literal wall of steel (mesh) in front of the goal. Or something.

f*** it, I'll take a keeper who can kick.

Its more of the same from me, huffing and puffing but with added zest from the CHOmeister and MGW bromance. Kinky.

 

[Captain Sinister]

Yet another depressing match, with lots of huffing and puffing, but very little quality and Forest finish up with no goals for, but several against.
Players' committment cannot be questioned, but the lack of a decent goalkeeper, or anyone who can put the ball in the net for us makes the end result almost inevitable.
Yes, I am being my usual doom-mongering self, but we have lost the ability to win.

 

[Captain Sinister]

Lopetegui turns us down....Gerrard accepts

Whoever's in charge, I don't fancy us to get much from this unless someone else is in net who hasn't played there this season yet.

A return for Joe Worral as net-minder?

 

[Gyros Peter]

Given how f***ing miserable I've been of late I'm going full on optimist for this one. Cooper in charge, we go two up, they come back and go three two up, but low and behold, the ghost of Christmas past (yeah, it wasn't, but this one is) is laid to rest with a 5:3 win, following the arrival of Chris wood who nets a hattrick, including a rare halfway line headergoal.

You reds we all shout, while Marianakis and cooper hug it out on the half way line at full time, ripping up the divorce papers shortly after.

 

[Rzar]

It's a must win game for Cooper, no doubt about that.

But look at the form Bournemouth were in a month ago, a lot can change very quickly, we need a bit of luck on our side.

 

[Omar Devone Little]

On paper this looks to be the last winnable game for a while.

I fully expect us to crumble though. They've been pretty good recently, one of the form teams in the league in fact (although ironically losing as I post). They'll come to the CG and look like the home team I'm sure while we'll look like a lower league side thats drawn City away in the cup.

 

[Omar Devone Little]

It's a must win game for Cooper, no doubt about that.

But look at the form Bournemouth were in a month ago, a lot can change very quickly, we need a bit of luck on our side.

Bournemouth's business was well-thought out in the summer. They identified areas of need and went and filled the gaps with young, hungry players. Now they've got used to Iraola's methods they'll do alright.

 

[Rzar]

Yeah you can't argue with their incredible recruitment. For example, a total of 1 of their 11 signings played last week when they beat Man United and a total of 2 goals between them. The joined up and well thought out recruitment has completely changed their fortunes.

They are no different to us, they are incredibly reliant on Solanke staying fit.

 

[Alf-engelos Mindminackers]

How AI sees the game going...

 

[Gyros Peter]

How AI sees the game going...

They on the shisha?

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

How AI sees the game going...

This isn't an AI generated image of next weeks game, it's an AI generated image of the unfancied members of our squad wanting to be in the first 11.

 

[dr_horse]

How AI sees the game going...

Forest win 3-1, Noygeson hattrick.

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[Gyros Peter]

Its good that they complete the stadium in a week too. Bonus.

 

[Captain Sinister]

Forest win 3-1, Noygeson hattrick.

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This Noygeson: can he play in goal?

 

[Jimmy]

Nooooo!

My hope is that Vlachademos finds his pliers, and creates a literal wall of steel (mesh) in front of the goal. Or something.

f*** it, I'll take a keeper who can kick.

Its more of the same from me, huffing and puffing but with added zest from the CHOmeister and MGW bromance. Kinky.

Right now, I'd even take Warwick Davis.

 

[Jimmy]

Given how f***ing miserable I've been of late I'm going full on optimist for this one. Cooper in charge, we go two up, they come back and go three two up, but low and behold, the ghost of Christmas past (yeah, it wasn't, but this one is) is laid to rest with a 5:3 win, following the arrival of Chris wood who nets a hattrick, including a rare halfway line headergoal.

You reds we all shout, while Marianakis and cooper hug it out on the half way line at full time, ripping up the divorce papers shortly after.

I can't fault your optimism but I can your grasp on reality.

 

[Dirk Furtull]

On paper this looks to be the last winnable game for a while.

I fully expect us to crumble though. They've been pretty good recently, one of the form teams in the league in fact (although ironically losing as I post). They'll come to the CG and look like the home team I'm sure while we'll look like a lower league side thats drawn City away in the cup.

What a surprise.

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[T.B.T.]

It’ll be two days before Christmas and everyone (with a few exceptions) will be full of festive joy. The atmosphere will be rocking and the crowd will be 100% behind Cooper and the lads.

It won’t be an easy game but we will win it.

 

[Gyros Peter]

I can't fault your optimism but I can your grasp on reality.

You think Origi gets the hattrick?

 

[Monkman]

Who would you all pick in goal? I think I'd have to stick with Turner, just about. Just tell the defenders to avoid back passes as much as possible.

 

[witneyred]

Clash between top of the form league and the bottom ...have a guess which one we are?

1-1

 

[Gyros Peter]

Who would you all pick in goal? I think I'd have to stick with Turner, just about. Just tell the defenders to avoid back passes as much as possible.

Its the classic shot or stabbed debate all over again. For what it's worth I'd go with Vlach, for no reason other than second chances.

 

[tomw94]

I’d keep Turner in goal. Been shakey with his feet but fact is he controls his box and stops shots far better than the Greek.
With the Greek we lose 4-0 to Spurs.

I would also drop Yates & Kouyate for this one, I want Cooper to go out and try win this one with quality. I know Yates has been awesome with his battling but I want more quality on the ball for this.

Turner
Williams Niakhate Murillo Toffolo
Sangare Mangala Dominguez
Danilo
MGW Elanga

More than enough there to control a match vs Bournemouth.
I would hate for us to play a low block in this one with a back 5, not win, and that be our last memory of Cooper in charge.

This is the perfect time to deliver our most convincing performance of the season, it will essentially create a free hit for the Newcastle game and then we will come roaring again to get Ten Hag the sack.
COYR!