21-07-2018, 07:23 PM
I went to the match today at Oldham. Karanka was correct in his post-match interview. The warm-up was dire. Took forever for someone to score in shooting drills. The Oldham mascot did better.
Forest started brightly though & when they scored after a few minutes i thought we’d get a hatful. Unfortunately, we wasted some good positions & Oldham seemed to sort themselves out a bit. Nevertheless we were solid & deserved the lead going into half time. Couldn’t really see the goal as it was down the wrong end. In fact all bar Grabban’s goal were down the wrong end so I didn’t really see them. Undone from set pieces start of 2nd half - same old problem, but we had Lam at Centre half, so... we were then poor until the raft of subs & then we looked bright. If there’d been 5-10 more mins we would have won it. We looked dangerous every time we attacked down the right once the Portuguese lads came on & Yates was solid in the Centre.
Pantilimon - did what was required 1st half. Inspired confidence. Couldn’t see him 2nd half so don’t know if he could’ve done anything with goals - suspect not
Dawson looked assured & it must be him and a.n. Other at centre half. Great on the ball, good in the air. Solid. Great to have him back.
Worrall did ok but stupid short back pass nearly gave a goal away. Otherwise solid
Gabriel - did ok at rb but don’t think he’s ready for champ. football. Darikwa looked miles better when he came on.
Robinson- did ok. Reasonably solid. Didn’t set the world alight. 7/10 performance.
Bridcutt - well up for it. All action 1st half. Was everywhere, winning the ball & some nice passing. Slightly concerned with his discipline still. Think he would’ve been booked in the league.
Watson - woeful. Slow. Wanted way too much time on the ball. Dispossessed easily. Poor passing. Was hoping he’d be taken off at half time. Hopefully he’s ring rusty, because the alternative is that time’s caught up with him
Lolley- worked hard. Don’t think much came off for him today. His shooting practice in the warm up set the tone for his performance. Didn’t think he did too badly until shown up by his replacement.
Cash - worked hard, won the ball well, busy & scored. Just not 100% sure about his final ball yet, but must be a pain to play against.
Soudani - good skills & movement. Some nice running with the ball. Could’ve shot a couple of times & opted not to. Not quite on same wavelength with those around him yet, but impressive. Looking forward to seeing him against champ. Defenders. Has a bit of bite about him. Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets sent off or gets others sent off depending how much protection he gets from refs.
Grabban - really impressed with his movement, work rate & finishing. He’ll score goals for us if we feed him - but don’t listen to paul taylor. His free kick was poor really & never troubled the keeper.
Subs
Lam - thought there was a player in there & he deserved another chance. This game should be that chance & he should now be let go. Not a coincidence they scored twice after he came on. Can’t honestly say goals were his fault as I couldn’t see them, but I’m going to blame him for them anyway. at least one came from where he was defending. he looked nervous & ill at ease. Didn’t look like he handled the physical battle well & he was nervous on the ball. Plus his hair is now too stupid & girly for a Centre half. Not good enough for where we want to be.
Yates - brilliant! Did simple things well, plus noticeable how he was talking all the time & telling experienced pro’s where to stand. He seems like a leader. Added some steel in midfield. Would rather him than Watson on this evidence. Plus he was obviously having time of his life - joking with ref during game & massive grin at the end, like he’d won a cup. My new favourite player.
Darikwa - confirmed that Gabriel wasn’t ready with a positive, attacking performance at rb. Deserves a chance this season either as 1st choice or 1st back-up.
3 Portugueses- sorry but I could not tell which was which. There was no team sheet with numbers so it was a case of recognising people & I didn’t have a clue with them. They all played well though. Would be tempted to play them all in same team
Smith - didn’t put a foot wrong. Some great quick throws to set up counter attacks. Must have given Karanka food for thought. Too good to sit on bench. Think he should go out on loan for the season if he’s not going to be 1st choice.
If we get them in the fa cup 3rd round don’t bother going to Oldham though. It’ll Be -10. The ground is cold even in summer & we’ll probably lose. Looking forward to seeing how we get on in the league now.
Forest started brightly though & when they scored after a few minutes i thought we’d get a hatful. Unfortunately, we wasted some good positions & Oldham seemed to sort themselves out a bit. Nevertheless we were solid & deserved the lead going into half time. Couldn’t really see the goal as it was down the wrong end. In fact all bar Grabban’s goal were down the wrong end so I didn’t really see them. Undone from set pieces start of 2nd half - same old problem, but we had Lam at Centre half, so... we were then poor until the raft of subs & then we looked bright. If there’d been 5-10 more mins we would have won it. We looked dangerous every time we attacked down the right once the Portuguese lads came on & Yates was solid in the Centre.
Pantilimon - did what was required 1st half. Inspired confidence. Couldn’t see him 2nd half so don’t know if he could’ve done anything with goals - suspect not
Dawson looked assured & it must be him and a.n. Other at centre half. Great on the ball, good in the air. Solid. Great to have him back.
Worrall did ok but stupid short back pass nearly gave a goal away. Otherwise solid
Gabriel - did ok at rb but don’t think he’s ready for champ. football. Darikwa looked miles better when he came on.
Robinson- did ok. Reasonably solid. Didn’t set the world alight. 7/10 performance.
Bridcutt - well up for it. All action 1st half. Was everywhere, winning the ball & some nice passing. Slightly concerned with his discipline still. Think he would’ve been booked in the league.
Watson - woeful. Slow. Wanted way too much time on the ball. Dispossessed easily. Poor passing. Was hoping he’d be taken off at half time. Hopefully he’s ring rusty, because the alternative is that time’s caught up with him
Lolley- worked hard. Don’t think much came off for him today. His shooting practice in the warm up set the tone for his performance. Didn’t think he did too badly until shown up by his replacement.
Cash - worked hard, won the ball well, busy & scored. Just not 100% sure about his final ball yet, but must be a pain to play against.
Soudani - good skills & movement. Some nice running with the ball. Could’ve shot a couple of times & opted not to. Not quite on same wavelength with those around him yet, but impressive. Looking forward to seeing him against champ. Defenders. Has a bit of bite about him. Wouldn’t be surprised if he gets sent off or gets others sent off depending how much protection he gets from refs.
Grabban - really impressed with his movement, work rate & finishing. He’ll score goals for us if we feed him - but don’t listen to paul taylor. His free kick was poor really & never troubled the keeper.
Subs
Lam - thought there was a player in there & he deserved another chance. This game should be that chance & he should now be let go. Not a coincidence they scored twice after he came on. Can’t honestly say goals were his fault as I couldn’t see them, but I’m going to blame him for them anyway. at least one came from where he was defending. he looked nervous & ill at ease. Didn’t look like he handled the physical battle well & he was nervous on the ball. Plus his hair is now too stupid & girly for a Centre half. Not good enough for where we want to be.
Yates - brilliant! Did simple things well, plus noticeable how he was talking all the time & telling experienced pro’s where to stand. He seems like a leader. Added some steel in midfield. Would rather him than Watson on this evidence. Plus he was obviously having time of his life - joking with ref during game & massive grin at the end, like he’d won a cup. My new favourite player.
Darikwa - confirmed that Gabriel wasn’t ready with a positive, attacking performance at rb. Deserves a chance this season either as 1st choice or 1st back-up.
3 Portugueses- sorry but I could not tell which was which. There was no team sheet with numbers so it was a case of recognising people & I didn’t have a clue with them. They all played well though. Would be tempted to play them all in same team
Smith - didn’t put a foot wrong. Some great quick throws to set up counter attacks. Must have given Karanka food for thought. Too good to sit on bench. Think he should go out on loan for the season if he’s not going to be 1st choice.
If we get them in the fa cup 3rd round don’t bother going to Oldham though. It’ll Be -10. The ground is cold even in summer & we’ll probably lose. Looking forward to seeing how we get on in the league now.