29-04-2021, 02:24 PM
(This post was last modified: 29-04-2021, 02:27 PM by Strawberry Avenger.)
My thoughts on Chris Hughton?
Done a good job of restoring 'some' level of confidence to a shattered squad following the 'later than planned' removal of last year's 'Coach.'
An inflight pre-season upped the volume of training because Forest weren't fit enough following a late 'pre-season' (*waves to Promise.)
Returns to the side of injury hit Worrall and Sow restored steel to Forest's performances with Hughton setting up the team to concede less (understandable given Forest were rock bottom following a 6 game losing streak and conceding goals easily with simple counter attacks and no hope of return.)
Incisive moves (rather than using a dart board or bingo cards) were used to bring in targeted reformation of Forest's toothless attack with Knocker for an injection of quality on the wings, a deep play maker in Garner and a link man no.10 in Krov'. All have had various degrees of success which have scored goals and put points on the board along with the target man, Murray who has played his part. Clearly 'defensive' minded Hughton has shrewdly assessed that Forest were lacking in goals and attack and made 4 attack minded signings. 5 if you include Cafu who was made permanent (himself, playing in an attacking role...)
Hughton has (despite the alternative view/universe of 'some fans') brought in youthful players into the mix. Garner and Mighten. Who have added some energy and promise to Forest's ability to turn defence into attack. Though we may not have Garner next year, Hughton is clear. If you're good enough? You must are old enough. He's flown the flag for the Academy with Worrall, Yates (two players every side needs, especially in the Championship) and carefully managed the introduction of young Mighten into the fray. He's also had the occasion to play and have a look at Smith.
The restoring of confidence has, understandably been a slow and patience progress with a 'late sub' and consistent team selection. The thorny issue of certain positions such as fullback (both LB and RB) receiving extensive criticism and constantly exploited by the opposition all season long has reared its head. Forest have gone from having a 'Player of the Season' RB to 'soft fullbacks' prone to defensive lapses, out of position and not provided assists or goals either. You can't help but feel Hughton, who likes his fullbacks to work with his wingers will be biding his time to address this issue. With 3 players rotated at LB. Clearly it's an issue for Hughton. And the team.
Attacking wise. The over use of Lolley and Grabban in the last two seasons (with both having little in the way of real competition) meant that their form not only collapsed but did so through injury. With both players suffering several injuries which inhibited their assists and goal tally. Freeman, a player with a pre-existing and ill-treated hernia problem hadn't been playing for the Blades for over a year. And? It showed. An inadequate recruit made prior to Hughton. Whilst Knocker? Added plenty of promise, some quality and even fewer assists and goals. But did point the way in terms of quality the Forest attacking line was missing if it had any dreams of being top 6.
Another area, so 'well' recruited was the CM area. With Arter, the Talismanic Sow (who helped Sabri's team to such lofty heights last season before his final injury torpedo'd any chance of Forest holding the top 6 place...), Colback And 'Fred' (to his friends...) all likely to keep their place ahead of the developing Yates, right? Wrong. Colback hadn't played in a year off a very nasty injury. Seemed unfit and clumsy, consistent with giving away free kicks. Clearly off the pace. Sow had a history of injuries to his knee which seemed to plague him. But his restoration to the side alongside young Yates did forge a very promising duo and adding much steel to that position in the team. Before? Injury took out Sow, again. And even Yates. It's the same for everyone. But fixture put paid to both of them, regardless. Fred. Also injured and used. Once. Or twice. And Arter? Injured. Alot. Only the 'will to win' Yates flew the flag there until Cafu, in part due to the injury crisis, was tried in his 'natural' position and proved to be something of a revelation vs The Swans. An incisive move for Garner, added a revelation to our DCM. A deep playing footballer! And both Cafu and Garner started to play some football(!) with? An actual link man in Krov' being part of this insightful little triangle of 'passers.' It restored attacking promise to Forest's side.
Up front? Lewis always did need managed, latterly with his longstanding injury issues from prior seasons along with 3 serious ones this season which have plagued him. Time catches up with all strikers. But Grabban always did take several chances to score the goals. And with parched service from the wings and half the season without an actual no.10, it only magnified this characteristic of our last season 20 goal man. Murray bought some time for Lewis to get fit. Tyler? Put away 'some' tidy goals but given as many chances as he has? Is it him not suited to the lone man striker role? A lack of service? Or perhaps he just isn't good enough? There is every chance of a shake up in the striking department this Summer, you feel.
Finally. The goal keeper. Samba's position isn't the only one that has made individual errors and lost goals and points. And the Championship is very unforgiving. Samba's good. But there are flaws to his game. The lack of 'fantastic' saves are conspicuous by their absence along with lapses in judgement. And they have been exposed with a lack of competition to push him for that no.1 jersey. I expect Hughton to bring competition in this area.
It's ironic when you're best player (of the 'half season') hasn't played a full set of games but still gets Player of the 'Season' compounded by the fact that he's a CH. But Worrall has been Captain. Leader. Quality. Collossal at CH. Also, at times caught trying to do the fullbacks job for them, left and right. We wanted the mouth watering partnership with Mckenna and for the most part, it's delivered. But will Hughton be able to hang onto Worrall with the Premiership vultures circling.
Hughton has added defensive steel to Forest in a back line that is occasionally prone to individual mistakes with question marks over the fullback area. The midfield feels half assembled with goals and assists difficult to come by, lacking pace, penetration and quality service to the front men. The needed for a more dynamic, pacey and incisive side with qualities beyond a lower mid-table finish are done to proven veteran, Hughton. He's got a massive job to do with 5 loans going back, 7 players out of contract and the demands for a higher position next season playing more 'attack minded' football worthy of top 6.
Hughton had admitted himself. He expected the side to finish higher. Many of the 15 draws could have been defeats? Or could they have been victories? If you don't score goals you don't win football games. That suggests this squad of players has gone as far as can following the catastrophic end to last season. Significant injections of quality are required in defence, midfield and up front.
I guess Hughton was being diplomatic. You get the league position you deserve. Mission accomplished for Hughton. Forest are safe from relegation. Stability. Not for the impatient 'some fans' who want it right now (despite all the evidence of a lack of preparation or mundane recruitment pointing to anything but a top 6 finish.
The hard part comes next. But we're well placed with 'outstanding' candidate Hughton who has saved and reforged teams like Brighton in the Championship and successfully led two compaigns with them near the top with the last one getting them promoted and retaining Premiership status.
SA.
Done a good job of restoring 'some' level of confidence to a shattered squad following the 'later than planned' removal of last year's 'Coach.'
An inflight pre-season upped the volume of training because Forest weren't fit enough following a late 'pre-season' (*waves to Promise.)
Returns to the side of injury hit Worrall and Sow restored steel to Forest's performances with Hughton setting up the team to concede less (understandable given Forest were rock bottom following a 6 game losing streak and conceding goals easily with simple counter attacks and no hope of return.)
Incisive moves (rather than using a dart board or bingo cards) were used to bring in targeted reformation of Forest's toothless attack with Knocker for an injection of quality on the wings, a deep play maker in Garner and a link man no.10 in Krov'. All have had various degrees of success which have scored goals and put points on the board along with the target man, Murray who has played his part. Clearly 'defensive' minded Hughton has shrewdly assessed that Forest were lacking in goals and attack and made 4 attack minded signings. 5 if you include Cafu who was made permanent (himself, playing in an attacking role...)
Hughton has (despite the alternative view/universe of 'some fans') brought in youthful players into the mix. Garner and Mighten. Who have added some energy and promise to Forest's ability to turn defence into attack. Though we may not have Garner next year, Hughton is clear. If you're good enough? You must are old enough. He's flown the flag for the Academy with Worrall, Yates (two players every side needs, especially in the Championship) and carefully managed the introduction of young Mighten into the fray. He's also had the occasion to play and have a look at Smith.
The restoring of confidence has, understandably been a slow and patience progress with a 'late sub' and consistent team selection. The thorny issue of certain positions such as fullback (both LB and RB) receiving extensive criticism and constantly exploited by the opposition all season long has reared its head. Forest have gone from having a 'Player of the Season' RB to 'soft fullbacks' prone to defensive lapses, out of position and not provided assists or goals either. You can't help but feel Hughton, who likes his fullbacks to work with his wingers will be biding his time to address this issue. With 3 players rotated at LB. Clearly it's an issue for Hughton. And the team.
Attacking wise. The over use of Lolley and Grabban in the last two seasons (with both having little in the way of real competition) meant that their form not only collapsed but did so through injury. With both players suffering several injuries which inhibited their assists and goal tally. Freeman, a player with a pre-existing and ill-treated hernia problem hadn't been playing for the Blades for over a year. And? It showed. An inadequate recruit made prior to Hughton. Whilst Knocker? Added plenty of promise, some quality and even fewer assists and goals. But did point the way in terms of quality the Forest attacking line was missing if it had any dreams of being top 6.
Another area, so 'well' recruited was the CM area. With Arter, the Talismanic Sow (who helped Sabri's team to such lofty heights last season before his final injury torpedo'd any chance of Forest holding the top 6 place...), Colback And 'Fred' (to his friends...) all likely to keep their place ahead of the developing Yates, right? Wrong. Colback hadn't played in a year off a very nasty injury. Seemed unfit and clumsy, consistent with giving away free kicks. Clearly off the pace. Sow had a history of injuries to his knee which seemed to plague him. But his restoration to the side alongside young Yates did forge a very promising duo and adding much steel to that position in the team. Before? Injury took out Sow, again. And even Yates. It's the same for everyone. But fixture put paid to both of them, regardless. Fred. Also injured and used. Once. Or twice. And Arter? Injured. Alot. Only the 'will to win' Yates flew the flag there until Cafu, in part due to the injury crisis, was tried in his 'natural' position and proved to be something of a revelation vs The Swans. An incisive move for Garner, added a revelation to our DCM. A deep playing footballer! And both Cafu and Garner started to play some football(!) with? An actual link man in Krov' being part of this insightful little triangle of 'passers.' It restored attacking promise to Forest's side.
Up front? Lewis always did need managed, latterly with his longstanding injury issues from prior seasons along with 3 serious ones this season which have plagued him. Time catches up with all strikers. But Grabban always did take several chances to score the goals. And with parched service from the wings and half the season without an actual no.10, it only magnified this characteristic of our last season 20 goal man. Murray bought some time for Lewis to get fit. Tyler? Put away 'some' tidy goals but given as many chances as he has? Is it him not suited to the lone man striker role? A lack of service? Or perhaps he just isn't good enough? There is every chance of a shake up in the striking department this Summer, you feel.
Finally. The goal keeper. Samba's position isn't the only one that has made individual errors and lost goals and points. And the Championship is very unforgiving. Samba's good. But there are flaws to his game. The lack of 'fantastic' saves are conspicuous by their absence along with lapses in judgement. And they have been exposed with a lack of competition to push him for that no.1 jersey. I expect Hughton to bring competition in this area.
It's ironic when you're best player (of the 'half season') hasn't played a full set of games but still gets Player of the 'Season' compounded by the fact that he's a CH. But Worrall has been Captain. Leader. Quality. Collossal at CH. Also, at times caught trying to do the fullbacks job for them, left and right. We wanted the mouth watering partnership with Mckenna and for the most part, it's delivered. But will Hughton be able to hang onto Worrall with the Premiership vultures circling.
Hughton has added defensive steel to Forest in a back line that is occasionally prone to individual mistakes with question marks over the fullback area. The midfield feels half assembled with goals and assists difficult to come by, lacking pace, penetration and quality service to the front men. The needed for a more dynamic, pacey and incisive side with qualities beyond a lower mid-table finish are done to proven veteran, Hughton. He's got a massive job to do with 5 loans going back, 7 players out of contract and the demands for a higher position next season playing more 'attack minded' football worthy of top 6.
Hughton had admitted himself. He expected the side to finish higher. Many of the 15 draws could have been defeats? Or could they have been victories? If you don't score goals you don't win football games. That suggests this squad of players has gone as far as can following the catastrophic end to last season. Significant injections of quality are required in defence, midfield and up front.
I guess Hughton was being diplomatic. You get the league position you deserve. Mission accomplished for Hughton. Forest are safe from relegation. Stability. Not for the impatient 'some fans' who want it right now (despite all the evidence of a lack of preparation or mundane recruitment pointing to anything but a top 6 finish.
The hard part comes next. But we're well placed with 'outstanding' candidate Hughton who has saved and reforged teams like Brighton in the Championship and successfully led two compaigns with them near the top with the last one getting them promoted and retaining Premiership status.
SA.
