Nottingham Forest - Southampton

[zicorice]

Well no one saw that coming!! We are still fighting.

Positives:
- Obviously 3 points
- Danilo. 1 goal 1 assist and 1 secondary assist. This boy is going to be the real deal.
- Jonno looked dangerous all night, great assist for 1st goal and won a penalty with his sharpness.
- Taiwo....this is the finisher we thought we were getting. So pleased for him.
- MGW: You have to take the rough with the smooth with a mercurial talent, who is still so young. Contributed in giving away a goal and nearly another 2nd half, but balls of steel for pen and what an assist.
- Navas: I always feel opposition target him with crosses into box and Ward Prowse delivery was exquisite. He got something on everything he should. Defence let him down quite alot though. His kicking was 12 inches from being perfect, but instead gave away throw ins on half way a few times.
- Yates is back. Took a while to get up to speed, but no coincidence that Mangala looked a very good player tonight.Just does what he does and allows those around him to play better.
- Boly is back. I'd 100% start him on Saturday.
- Worrall: Dropped I think 5 or 6 times now, the last 3 to accommodate Niakhate (once McKenna came in and Worrall may not have been well enough to start). But since selection against Villa he has not put a foot wrong when called upon. Last night he looked like he'd played RB all his life.
- Felipe: This guy! Seems odd to praise a CB after conceding 3 at home but he is immense. Carries Niakhate somewhat at present. So wish his goal had been onside.
- Kouyate: Arguably cost us 3 points last week (we will never know) but came on and was excellent. Played a key part in 4th goal.
- Cooper: Got everything right last Night Selection  tactics  subs.

Negatives:
- Another set piece goal (though Yates indicated he was elbowed before corner came in).
- Stupid individual errors again. When will these stop?
- I am increasingly worried about Niakhate. The basics of head it and kick it seem to go wrong too often (throw it seems OK though). Felipe seems to cover his little mistakes so often. He backs off and for all his alledged pace it always seems his man gets away from him. For a supposed "beast" he loses too many physical confrontations and slides on his backside too often when no need. Perhaps he will adjust, but if we go down on GD, that f#(King stupid penalty against Newcastle is the costliest of many costly mistakes individuals have made this season. That's all a bit harsh as he can have spells in games where he looks very solid and is good at getting a foot in front of opposition receiving ball. Hopefully, he will iron out these things to become a very good player-he clearly cares.

All to play for then. Hopefully no more knocks last night and we can get something at Chelsea other than a hard luck story or what might have been but for stupid individual errors

You reckon Boly comes in for Niakhate then? We'd miss those long throws.

Too soon for Boly, surely? Niakhate's been up and down but its too soon for Boly.

If he is going to start, he'd better start warming up now to keep those hamstrings loose!

If he's fit enough then he starts for me. I love Felipe  but in terms of results equating with performance, Boly has been our best CB when playing!. Felipe AND Boly...surely that helps stem the leakage at the back?

Boly for Niakhate? Short answer....yes.  But I trust Cooper and suspect all 3 will start down there.