Millwall - Nottingham Forest

[Strawberry Avenger]

Sometimes, you guys are unbelievable. Had Forest managed to hold on for just 3 more minutes all would have been good. Instead it is all starting to fall apart - again.

Please keep in mind that Semedo is just coming back from an injury and will need time to settle in again. He would most likely not have played if Yates or Sow had been available. Mir probably needs more time but as things stands I don't believe Forest have any more time to give him. We urgently need at least one more striker who can compete with Grabs. 

Both goals should have been avoided. The first one was an unchallenged header where either Semedo or Mir lost their marking. As for the second one, I believe the shot got a slight deflection and Samba did good in making the save but the Millwall player should not have been allowed to shot in the first place. Either Watson or Silva should have been closing him down.

As for the formation in first half. I don't believe it was the wrong formation as such but more a case of the players not being able to execute. I haven't been able to see the replay yet but my basic impression was that we didn't play with wing backs in the first half. Both Cash and Robinson played as conventional full backs resulting in Forest having 5 players in defense and too few in midfield. Even though Forest had 3 CBs both FB went narrow in defense leaving too much room on the flanks as we didn't have any wingers to help them out there (as is the case when we play 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-4-1). 

So my theory would be that if Forest had managed to deploy Cash and Robinson as true wing backs combined with a bit more urgency in midfield Forest would have managed to push Millwall back and Millwall would have been forced to go route one which our CBs would have managed to deal with quite easily. I believe it was a valuable lesson for SL.

Yates back, Sow back soon so things  not falling apart although it is December so let's wait and see.

Semedo was struggling before he got injured. We have some games coming up against footballing sides, which should suit us more. 

"You guys" is a bit of a generalisation. No team can live up to Maltareds expectations. If we win 5-1 he would be saying if we can't keep a clean sheet we don't deserve promotion. But that's football. Opinions are like ar$eholes, we all have one. Our first XI of
Samba
Cash
Riberio
Dawson
Worrall
Watson
Sow or Yates
Silva or Carvalho
Lolley 
Ameobi or Albert
Grabban.

Is good enough to win any game in this league. The "or" players depends on form.
Figs and Robinson are ok but down grades. Semedo has something someimes going forward. Not sure about Jenkinson  but a down grade on cash. 

So, like Norwich last year, we need untold luck with injuries and stupid suspensions (so far not happening...) or investment in Jan. 

Hopefully December doesn't derail our challenge.........yet again.

Yes.

SA.  :cool: