Nottingham Forest - Fulham

[Strawberry Avenger]

Thought Zinc has been quite poor last 2 games, given the ball away lots. Brennan quiet too. I would maybe give those 2 a rest and start Lolley and Mighten against QPR.

Zinc Man.  Well, perhaps the opposition are starting to target him.  He was up against much better opposition last night.

SA.

[Username]

Well that didn't quite go to plan!

To be honest I think we showed them too much respect and, barring Colback, we seemed to stand off them too much when it really needed us to bring them down to our level.

I haven't watched the goals back but I thought Samba should have done better with the third.

There seemed to be an obsession with attacking down the right hand side at times with Lowe having acres of space down the left but being generally ignored - you could see the frustration on his face, we were just too lethargic on the ball, failing to get it out wide quick enough.

Given the number of goals scored under SC I was really surprised how little we tested Rodak. The chance for Brennan in the first half where he swung and missed with the ball hitting his standing leg was bad and Grabban's lob wedge effort in the second half was even worse.

None of the centre halves came away with any real credit and the calamity in the way we conceded the second was surprising and felt likes days of yore. One aspect that particularly came to the fore was McKenna's lack of mobility when they broke from midfield, it was surprisingly easy to turn him and he was always second best.

I agree with SM regarding Zinc. I would be surprised if he starts at QPR although I have yet to see Lolley play anywhere near the level good enough to come in and replace him. It would be nice if we could provide Mighten with the same delivery of ball into feet that we do for the likes of Zinc and Lolley, at least then he would have a chance of creating something positive rather than chasing lost causes.

Anyway, we were bound to lose at some point and there's no shame in losing to Fulham who I think will finish in the Top Two. Its games like the one on Friday where we need to be competitive and should, if we apply ourselves correctly, come away with at least one point, and hopefully three.

We've made cracking strides so far and there's plenty of reasons to be positive.

Onwards and upwards

COYR

[Strawberry Avenger]

Well that didn't quite go to plan!

To be honest I think we showed them too much respect and, barring Colback, we seemed to stand off them too much when it really needed us to bring them down to our level.

I haven't watched the goals back but I thought Samba should have done better with the third.

There seemed to be an obsession with attacking down the right hand side at times with Lowe having acres of space down the left but being generally ignored - you could see the frustration on his face, we were just too lethargic on the ball, failing to get it out wide quick enough.

Given the number of goals scored under SC I was really surprised how little we tested Rodak. The chance for Brennan in the first half where he swung and missed with the ball hitting his standing leg was bad and Grabban's lob wedge effort in the second half was even worse.

None of the centre halves came away with any real credit and the calamity in the way we conceded the second was surprising and felt likes days of yore. One aspect that particularly came to the fore was McKenna's lack of mobility when they broke from midfield, it was surprisingly easy to turn him and he was always second best.

I agree with SM regarding Zinc. I would be surprised if he starts at QPR although I have yet to see Lolley play anywhere near the level good enough to come in and replace him. It would be nice if we could provide Mighten with the same delivery of ball into feet that we do for the likes of Zinc and Lolley, at least then he would have a chance of creating something positive rather than chasing lost causes.

Anyway, we were bound to lose at some point and there's no shame in losing to Fulham who I think will finish in the Top Two. Its games like the one on Friday where we need to be competitive and should, if we apply ourselves correctly, come away with at least one point, and hopefully three.

We've made cracking strides so far and there's plenty of reasons to be positive.

Onwards and upwards

COYR

I think that's a fair post.  Nothing to say except 'I agree completely.'

SA.

[wassy04]

Well that didn't quite go to plan!

To be honest I think we showed them too much respect and, barring Colback, we seemed to stand off them too much when it really needed us to bring them down to our level.

I haven't watched the goals back but I thought Samba should have done better with the third.

There seemed to be an obsession with attacking down the right hand side at times with Lowe having acres of space down the left but being generally ignored - you could see the frustration on his face, we were just too lethargic on the ball, failing to get it out wide quick enough.

Given the number of goals scored under SC I was really surprised how little we tested Rodak. The chance for Brennan in the first half where he swung and missed with the ball hitting his standing leg was bad and Grabban's lob wedge effort in the second half was even worse.

None of the centre halves came away with any real credit and the calamity in the way we conceded the second was surprising and felt likes days of yore. One aspect that particularly came to the fore was McKenna's lack of mobility when they broke from midfield, it was surprisingly easy to turn him and he was always second best.

I agree with SM regarding Zinc. I would be surprised if he starts at QPR although I have yet to see Lolley play anywhere near the level good enough to come in and replace him. It would be nice if we could provide Mighten with the same delivery of ball into feet that we do for the likes of Zinc and Lolley, at least then he would have a chance of creating something positive rather than chasing lost causes.

Anyway, we were bound to lose at some point and there's no shame in losing to Fulham who I think will finish in the Top Two. Its games like the one on Friday where we need to be competitive and should, if we apply ourselves correctly, come away with at least one point, and hopefully three.

We've made cracking strides so far and there's plenty of reasons to be positive.

Onwards and upwards

COYR

Lob wedge effort is an excellent way of describing it, properly opened the face up there!  :D

[Paplane]

It sounds like I'm on my own here but I've got to say, I'm really worried about us now. Most people seem to think we can just brush this defeat off, forget it and go rolling on down to QPR to smash them. Is no one concerned our levels have dropped off and we're making really calamitous errors? I can see us getting beaten again by QPR and then have a really tough game to follow v Sheff. We could be looking at 3 defeats on the bounce if things don't go our way.

I thought yesterday early on we showed some real nerves, gave them too much respect etc etc but above all we didn't play very well. Every time Fulham broke away they looked dangerous. When Colback went off we had no bite in midfield, Garner offered nothing but there were no stand out performances from any of the others. Both full backs were prevented from bombing on which has been our main weapon in our revival. Fulham stopped it happening. The full backs only started to do that when the game had gone and Fulham were playing without jeopardy.

We nearly messed up last week against Blackpool, let's face it we got lucky at Bristol and now we've been thumped 0-4 at home. I'm worried.

[optimistic_red]

Well that didn't quite go to plan!

To be honest I think we showed them too much respect and, barring Colback, we seemed to stand off them too much when it really needed us to bring them down to our level.

I haven't watched the goals back but I thought Samba should have done better with the third.

There seemed to be an obsession with attacking down the right hand side at times with Lowe having acres of space down the left but being generally ignored - you could see the frustration on his face, we were just too lethargic on the ball, failing to get it out wide quick enough.

Given the number of goals scored under SC I was really surprised how little we tested Rodak. The chance for Brennan in the first half where he swung and missed with the ball hitting his standing leg was bad and Grabban's lob wedge effort in the second half was even worse.

None of the centre halves came away with any real credit and the calamity in the way we conceded the second was surprising and felt likes days of yore. One aspect that particularly came to the fore was McKenna's lack of mobility when they broke from midfield, it was surprisingly easy to turn him and he was always second best.

I agree with SM regarding Zinc. I would be surprised if he starts at QPR although I have yet to see Lolley play anywhere near the level good enough to come in and replace him. It would be nice if we could provide Mighten with the same delivery of ball into feet that we do for the likes of Zinc and Lolley, at least then he would have a chance of creating something positive rather than chasing lost causes.

Anyway, we were bound to lose at some point and there's no shame in losing to Fulham who I think will finish in the Top Two. Its games like the one on Friday where we need to be competitive and should, if we apply ourselves correctly, come away with at least one point, and hopefully three.

We've made cracking strides so far and there's plenty of reasons to be positive.

Onwards and upwards

COYR

With Zinc playing in behind as a number 10, Lowe often had no support on LHS.

[wassy04]

It sounds like I'm on my own here but I've got to say, I'm really worried about us now. Most people seem to think we can just brush this defeat off, forget it and go rolling on down to QPR to smash them. Is no one concerned our levels have dropped off and we're making really calamitous errors? I can see us getting beaten again by QPR and then have a really tough game to follow v Sheff. We could be looking at 3 defeats on the bounce if things don't go our way.

I thought yesterday early on we showed some real nerves, gave them too much respect etc etc but above all we didn't play very well. Every time Fulham broke away they looked dangerous. When Colback went off we had no bite in midfield, Garner offered nothing but there were no stand out performances from any of the others. Both full backs were prevented from bombing on which has been our main weapon in our revival. Fulham stopped it happening. The full backs only started to do that when the game had gone and Fulham were playing without jeopardy. 

We nearly messed up last week against Blackpool, let's face it we got lucky at Bristol and now we've been thumped 0-4 at home. I'm worried.

As I said last week, we didn't suddenly go from being relegation certainties to promotion candidates overnight. We had a good run of fixtures, combined with a positive change in tactics and better use of the strengths of the squad, plus a healthy dose of luck. That ran out at Fulham massively but I'm not overly concerned in the same way I didn't think we were suddenly top six material. 

I do believe there is definitely room to grow into the new system too so room for improvement in the defence. I think QPR should be an exciting and open game against a good team that could go either way. Lets just enjoy the excitement

[Strawberry Avenger]

It sounds like I'm on my own here but I've got to say, I'm really worried about us now. Most people seem to think we can just brush this defeat off, forget it and go rolling on down to QPR to smash them. Is no one concerned our levels have dropped off and we're making really calamitous errors? I can see us getting beaten again by QPR and then have a really tough game to follow v Sheff. We could be looking at 3 defeats on the bounce if things don't go our way.

I thought yesterday early on we showed some real nerves, gave them too much respect etc etc but above all we didn't play very well. Every time Fulham broke away they looked dangerous. When Colback went off we had no bite in midfield, Garner offered nothing but there were no stand out performances from any of the others. Both full backs were prevented from bombing on which has been our main weapon in our revival. Fulham stopped it happening. The full backs only started to do that when the game had gone and Fulham were playing without jeopardy. 

We nearly messed up last week against Blackpool, let's face it we got lucky at Bristol and now we've been thumped 0-4 at home. I'm worried.

You're not on your own.

The 'test' is whether we can get any kind of result vs QPR away.  They are much further down the road with Warburton than Forest are with Steve.  We 'crash landed' hard with that result with all the hallmarks of previous brittleness back, middle and up front.

The fault-lines of conceding soft goals is still there.  And the defence was looking ropy and riding its luck for the last several games.

If that can't be coached out.  It will have to be recruited out.  

It's been happening pretty much all season long under, now, two different managers. It's cost alot of points. We're talking about silly, self inflicted gaffs.

SA.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

It sounds like I'm on my own here but I've got to say, I'm really worried about us now. Most people seem to think we can just brush this defeat off, forget it and go rolling on down to QPR to smash them. Is no one concerned our levels have dropped off and we're making really calamitous errors? I can see us getting beaten again by QPR and then have a really tough game to follow v Sheff. We could be looking at 3 defeats on the bounce if things don't go our way.

I thought yesterday early on we showed some real nerves, gave them too much respect etc etc but above all we didn't play very well. Every time Fulham broke away they looked dangerous. When Colback went off we had no bite in midfield, Garner offered nothing but there were no stand out performances from any of the others. Both full backs were prevented from bombing on which has been our main weapon in our revival. Fulham stopped it happening. The full backs only started to do that when the game had gone and Fulham were playing without jeopardy.

We nearly messed up last week against Blackpool, let's face it we got lucky at Bristol and now we've been thumped 0-4 at home. I'm worried.

Think you are over reacting a bit Pap. Truth is its the Championship.
5 points separate 5th down to 18th. There are 7 teams on 21 points.
What that means is that the majority are much of a much. The top 3 were decided before a ball was kicked, 4th to 6th is up for grabs by anyone. Just needs a decent manager, team spirit or way of playing to make the difference, Thats the way I hope we are going. Most games will be decided as Warburton would have said by fine margins or the odd mistake.

[Username]

It sounds like I'm on my own here but I've got to say, I'm really worried about us now. Most people seem to think we can just brush this defeat off, forget it and go rolling on down to QPR to smash them. Is no one concerned our levels have dropped off and we're making really calamitous errors? I can see us getting beaten again by QPR and then have a really tough game to follow v Sheff. We could be looking at 3 defeats on the bounce if things don't go our way.

I thought yesterday early on we showed some real nerves, gave them too much respect etc etc but above all we didn't play very well. Every time Fulham broke away they looked dangerous. When Colback went off we had no bite in midfield, Garner offered nothing but there were no stand out performances from any of the others. Both full backs were prevented from bombing on which has been our main weapon in our revival. Fulham stopped it happening. The full backs only started to do that when the game had gone and Fulham were playing without jeopardy. 

We nearly messed up last week against Blackpool, let's face it we got lucky at Bristol and now we've been thumped 0-4 at home. I'm worried.

“Worried” as in get relegated?

On the next six games thread you predicted 9-10 points which included a draw against Fulham so we’re only one point worse off so far.

[Paplane]

It sounds like I'm on my own here but I've got to say, I'm really worried about us now. Most people seem to think we can just brush this defeat off, forget it and go rolling on down to QPR to smash them. Is no one concerned our levels have dropped off and we're making really calamitous errors? I can see us getting beaten again by QPR and then have a really tough game to follow v Sheff. We could be looking at 3 defeats on the bounce if things don't go our way.

I thought yesterday early on we showed some real nerves, gave them too much respect etc etc but above all we didn't play very well. Every time Fulham broke away they looked dangerous. When Colback went off we had no bite in midfield, Garner offered nothing but there were no stand out performances from any of the others. Both full backs were prevented from bombing on which has been our main weapon in our revival. Fulham stopped it happening. The full backs only started to do that when the game had gone and Fulham were playing without jeopardy. 

We nearly messed up last week against Blackpool, let's face it we got lucky at Bristol and now we've been thumped 0-4 at home. I'm worried.

“Worried” as in get relegated?

On the next six games thread you predicted 9-10 points which included a draw against Fulham so we’re only one point worse off so far.

I'm worried by the scale off the defeat and im also suprised how pretty much eveyone is brushing it off as just one of those things. 

My overriding worry though is that we've just had a new manager bounce and now weve been easily beaten, even found out, we'll return to the patchy form of the last 18 months. I suppose I'm seeking reassurance that we're still a decent side!

[Username]

It sounds like I'm on my own here but I've got to say, I'm really worried about us now. Most people seem to think we can just brush this defeat off, forget it and go rolling on down to QPR to smash them. Is no one concerned our levels have dropped off and we're making really calamitous errors? I can see us getting beaten again by QPR and then have a really tough game to follow v Sheff. We could be looking at 3 defeats on the bounce if things don't go our way.

I thought yesterday early on we showed some real nerves, gave them too much respect etc etc but above all we didn't play very well. Every time Fulham broke away they looked dangerous. When Colback went off we had no bite in midfield, Garner offered nothing but there were no stand out performances from any of the others. Both full backs were prevented from bombing on which has been our main weapon in our revival. Fulham stopped it happening. The full backs only started to do that when the game had gone and Fulham were playing without jeopardy. 

We nearly messed up last week against Blackpool, let's face it we got lucky at Bristol and now we've been thumped 0-4 at home. I'm worried.

“Worried” as in get relegated?

On the next six games thread you predicted 9-10 points which included a draw against Fulham so we’re only one point worse off so far.

I'm worried by the scale off the defeat and im also suprised how pretty much eveyone is brushing it off as just one of those things. 

My overriding worry though is that we've just had a new manager bounce and now weve been easily beaten, even found out, we'll return to the patchy form of the last 18 months. I suppose I'm seeking reassurance that we're still a decent side!

I can only speak for myself but I thought I raised a number of valid criticisms above and wasn’t brushing off the result. Equally I don’t think we can dwell on it too much, the games come thick and fast and negativity breeds negativity. 

I think SC will have learned more about us from Sunday’s match than any other game he’s taken charge of with us so far. 

I’ve referenced our soft underbelly for a number of games now. I’m pretty sure that’s one of the drivers for him to go three at the back, I don’t think he quite trusts any two from those three to keep a clean sheet at present and had probably seen plenty of us under his predecessor to know that. It will be interesting to see what Rodrigo is about and whether he will bring something that we appear to be missing. 

It’s not going to be a quick fix. I just think that I have seen enough to show that we will pick up enough points until 31 December to ensure that relegation isn’t going to be on our mind this season and, hopefully with sufficient support in the January transfer window, we could be competitive in the upper third of the league. 

That said his main priority when he arrived was to get us out of the position we were in. I’d say he’s achieved that. 

The next issue is to make us competitive on a regular basis. It’s too soon to know if he’s capable of delivering that but I do feel that we have seen enough to suggest that he will. 

I thought it was telling how many fans were still in the ground at full time and gave the manager and players a standing ovation having just lost four nil. 

I’m looking forward to Friday, we’ve a near sellout allocation and will be up for it. If we lose four nil again then I might be leaning in your direction but I’ll wait until 10pm on Friday and look forward to seeing our reaction.