Nottingham Forest - Luton Town

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Totally disagree on Knockaert, would have him back in a heartbeat if the price is reasonable. He is the one player who can make things happen. He would have had a bag full of assists if we had strikers who could hit a barn door from 2 yards or who weren’t constantly offside.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Have we only scored 20 goals all season?

SA.

What I would give for the Grabban of last season - or the Lolley of two seasons ago. 

Isn't Taylor our top scorer with four on the league. I think og is our second top scorer.

Players have their 'moment' in  time with clubs.  I feel that Grabban and Lolley are now past their mercurial best.

It's time to 'shake the bag' this Summer.

But I agree.  To have Grabs and Lolley from two seasons ago.

As frustrating as it is.  We are only a couple of wins...a back to back win from making up some ground to the top of the middle 8.

I'd be tempted to bring back the Talismanic Sow (when fit) and energetic Yates to add some steel and combative energy to our CM and put Krov' ahead of them.  And rest Garner and Cafu for the next game.  

We have the CMs to do it. 

SA.

I think playing Garner on Saturday will see him at his very best as he will have a point to prove to Watford. Hopefully the same will apply to Murray

You make a good point about Watford and Garner (and possibly Murray!), Tricky.

SA.

[Strawberry Avenger]

In defence of the players and the manager, i did think we looked a bit leggy. Knockheart died in the second and Murray too. Both full back stopped bombing forward too.

No suprise the sheep lost tonight too. The derby games take a lot out of the players I always think.

Sat/Tues schedule catching up.


SA.

Sorry SA but I’m not buying that.

The schedule is the same for everyone - and our budget is bigger than probably 75% of clubs in this division.

Our squad is as deep as just about all of our competitors.

The programme is - I agree - a tough one but not one that we can hide behind.

Muscle injuries are up across the board.  Playing a compressed schedule is having an effect on all teams.  Yates.  A young fit lad?  Calf.  Arter?  Older?  Calf.  More games.  More dice rolls.  More injuries.  Sow and Ameobi.  Both sidelined.  Grabban?  Sidelined.

Our squad is a patchwork of chopping and changing managers.  Our club consistency in terms of building year upon year with a good manager at our base isn't as deep as many of our competitors.  Hughton has only been here since?  October?  Yeah.  We changed managers after bringing in 14 players... *Looks skyward.

He's had about half a year.  That's nothing.  We only finally got around to getting a genuinely 'fit' ACM in during January.  And when he went off last night?  Surprise.  Our 2nd half performance reverted to what it was like pre-January.

And an inflight pre-season (because somebody thought it was a great idea to bring the players back late) and recruiting players who haven't played football in over a year, have 3x30+ year old strikers...coupled with soft fullbacks are constantly targeted by the opposition and a flawed CH (who seems to be home sick.)

The track wreck start to the season is just playing out as expected.  We've done well to get to just '3' losses in 15 games.  I suppose to be about 'level' with Blackburn and Preston (give or take) suggests Hughton's done a decent job considering the track wreck convergence of disasters that started this season for Forest.

The Silver lining?

If we could manage a couple of back to back wins from Sat' onwards we'd manage to scramble to the middle of 'mid-table.'  Within reach of a top 10-ish place.

With respect.  It's not the 'same.'

Money isn't everything.  Clearly.  Or Forest would be top 6.

SA.

[ThePromisedLand]

Not disagreeing SA - and I’ve been banging on about our lack of pre season since the date was announced of the players return from their Summer jollies.

But I’m guessing that if you asked fans from around the Championship they would all have a litany of reasons as to why their particular clubs are not performing. Not sure that we are any different.

I remain confident in CH - predict 5 points from the next 5 game run against the top teams - and a mid table finish.

[wassy04]

Totally disagree on Knockaert, would have him back in a heartbeat if the price is reasonable. He is the one player who can make things happen. He would have had a bag full of assists if we had strikers who could hit a barn door from 2 yards or who weren’t constantly offside.

Completely agree, add in the fact his relationship and previous success with the manager. I would be keen to see us re-sign him

[Strawberry Avenger]

Totally disagree on Knockaert, would have him back in a heartbeat if the price is reasonable. He is the one player who can make things happen. He would have had a bag full of assists if we had strikers who could hit a barn door from 2 yards or who weren’t constantly offside.

Completely agree, add in the fact his relationship and previous success with the manager. I would be keen to see us re-sign him

I agree with the agree.

SA.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Not disagreeing SA - and I’ve been banging on about our lack of pre season since the date was announced of the players return from their Summer jollies.

But I’m guessing that if you asked fans from around the Championship they would all have a litany of reasons as to why their particular clubs are not performing. Not sure that we are any different.

I remain confident in CH - predict 5 points from the next 5 game run against the top teams - and a mid table finish.

(Completely agree on the reason 'in chief' for why we are where we are.  It was insanity.  Pure and simple.)

We'd be in 12th had we picked up the '5' points on offer from Derby and Luton.  The frustrating 'what might have beens?'

As you say.  If we pick up 5 points from the next 3 games or so we'd be about mid-mid table.

Despite the results.  The performances from the recent run of games has been miles better.  Encouraging.  And clearly playing to the manager's brief.  And that instills confidence, TPL.  We're getting there.  But we're not there.  Luton stick out a leg and we lose '1 nil' cuz we can't score.  As we know.  Look at the top 7.  What can they do?  Score goals.  Lots of them.  They're another 20 goals or so ahead of Forest.

The better performances soothe the sting of Forest's pre-season capitulation and dart board transfer policy and self inflicted timing of sacking the previous 'manager.'

I just hope we stick with Hughton over a couple more seasons and see a project through (for a change.)

SA.