Nottingham Forest - Luton Town

[Strawberry Avenger]

Ribeiro  was poor last match. Chema deserves his place

Ribeiro (like Dawson who had his 'off' match) was coming back from no small injury and no surprise he did'n't perform well at Chelsea or the last match played out of position.  I suspect Rib' will be on the bench along with Dawson.

Chema deserves his place.  He's quite robust in the tackle.  We would do well to keep him if we can.

ThePromisedLand

I would like to believe we’ll be on the front foot.
Chema offers nothing going forward.
Hence Ribeiro to reclaim his place.

Whilst he offers 'nothing' going forwards, what's the point of offering 'something' going forwards if you leak goals by being out of position?  When you're 2-0 down offering 'something' going forwards is not enough.  Better Chema than either Jack or Rib' in that context.  I believe our fullbacks are quite 'soft', particularly on the left side and we're operating with a converted RB on the other for 'practical' reasons.  It's cost points by players being unable to 'stop the cross', being out of position or unable to defend their position or ball watching.  Right now, I think Cash has been the best of our fullbacks.  But he's serving his apprenticeship there and has done reasonably well.  I think having some robust experience on the left back position balances the youth of Cash on the other side.  Given Chema or Cash.  You'd think they'd more likely target Cash vs a bone crunching tackle from Chema.

Our left side has been consistently targeted with Robinson playing at LB.  And, I'm quite sure, the opposition will be aware Rib' is coming back from injury and the opposition always 'gets at' players who've been out of injured.  Why?  Because they're not fully match fit.

Better to start out with 0-0, keep 0-0 and then 'pinch' the result.

That makes even more sense against teams like Reading or Luton who are...well, 2 dimensional to put it politely.  And using Huddersfield as example, they rattled Forest by using tactics and playing style 'worthy' of the Championship.  Forest have to be street wise.  it's already cost them 9 points tossing 'last minute' points away by being green around the ears instead of using their street smarts.

If that is what it takes with the current playing staff.  So be it.

SA.

Team News....

That team shouldn't be 1-0 down to Luton.  But it's the old 'should' word.  Forest have started half asleep.  Lots of fussing defensive work in the RB area.  Fussy ref'.  Forest need to get into Luton's faces and start playing some football.

Luton keeper makes a good save with Worrall hovering.  Forest corner.

SA.