Nottingham Forest - Luton Town

[Paplane]

I really don't see why Bong cannot step in every now and then and do a job. Nobody is saying that he should be first choice and start every game but to fill in when our first choice is injured like tonight for example against Luton I can't see what the issue is.

Trouble is it looks like Lowe will out for a few weeks (we may never see him again), so Bong might have to be given a decent run of games if we're going to maintain the Colback/Yates partnership in the middle. That partnership has been excellent and I cant see Cooperman wanting to break it up to plug a hole elsewhere. And I don't see Colback being any better than Bong at LB over a run of say 4 or 5 games. So what's more disruptive to the side, playing Bong or breaking up our midfield? Garner's hardly been pulling up trees, Ojeda's untested, Fornah maybe considered not really ready. I say play Bong.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

The problem with that Pap is that it has become obvious we play far better in a 352 and Bong just doesn't suit that. That isnt saying he is useless or should never play for us again, simply that he doesnt have the pace or offer anything near enough going forward to be effective as a wing back. I agree with you, not convinced Colback should play there either.
For me swap Spence to LB and bring in Drager at RB and keep the formation that we know works best for Cooper.

[wassy04]

The problem with that Pap is that it has become obvious we play far better in a 352 and Bong just doesn't suit that. That isnt saying he is useless or should never play for us again, simply that he doesnt have the pace or offer anything near enough going forward to be effective as a wing back. I agree with you, not convinced Colback should play there either.
For me swap Spence to LB and bring in Drager at RB and keep the formation that we know works best for Cooper.

Think I'd do this too, although I'm interested to see if Lolley could play that role. Always been good defensively anyway, alternatively Mighten has the pace if fit, not sure if he's any good at the defensive side. I'd hope these options have been tested in training.

[Marinakis Red]

I really don't see why Bong cannot step in every now and then and do a job. Nobody is saying that he should be first choice and start every game but to fill in when our first choice is injured like tonight for example against Luton I can't see what the issue is.

Because he is a liability, and certainly in our new style of play. Why would anyone suggest starting a game with 10 men is beyond me.

Luton are a quick and energetic team that like to get in behind, bong will be exploited big time tonight.

If Cooper selects him then that is good enough for me as there are other options available.

So Cooper should get all the stick.

One thing is for sure though, if Bong does play and we don't get 3 points then at least you all have your scapegoat already lined up before a ball has been kicked.

I'm not one for making scapegoats at all, many made Grabban that on Saturday and repeatedly throughout his career here with us but I've not been one of those either. If Bong plays and has a good game I'll say so. No agenda here, just the guy has been a liability and so off the pace when representing forest previously.

[nffc93]

Suspect he will be blamed for it being cold tonight and if we run out of pies at half time too.

Come off it. He is dog awful. If he is in that starting 11 Luton will be rubbing those hands.

[Paplane]

The problem with that Pap is that it has become obvious we play far better in a 352 and Bong just doesn't suit that. That isnt saying he is useless or should never play for us again, simply that he doesnt have the pace or offer anything near enough going forward to be effective as a wing back. I agree with you, not convinced Colback should play there either.
For me swap Spence to LB and bring in Drager at RB and keep the formation that we know works best for Cooper.

Suppose that might work but Bong's the fullback that Cooper has chosen for the bench lately. That suggests to me that 1) Bong is chosen ahead of Drager, 2)Cooper thinks Bong can play as a wing back, and 3) Drager's failed to impress so far and/or cant play as a traditional full back in a 4.

And for the last 2 games Cooper has started with a back 4 anyway so if he does tonight too, Bong doesnt need to be flying forward.

[wassy04]

Suspect he will be blamed for it being cold tonight and if we run out of pies at half time too.

Come off it. He is dog awful. If he is in that starting 11 Luton will be rubbing those hands.

Yeah plus if he's starting then they really should put someone else in charge of heating the half time pies up, come on.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Suspect he will be blamed for it being cold tonight and if we run out of pies at half time too.

Come off it. He is dog awful. If he is in that starting 11 Luton will be rubbing those hands.

Yeah Cooper out if Bong starts (not).

[Derby My Arse]

Bong and Garner the logical choices to come in.

[Strawberry Avenger]

I really don't see why Bong cannot step in every now and then and do a job. Nobody is saying that he should be first choice and start every game but to fill in when our first choice is injured like tonight for example against Luton I can't see what the issue is.

Because he is a liability, and certainly in our new style of play. Why would anyone suggest starting a game with 10 men is beyond me.

Luton are a quick and energetic team that like to get in behind, bong will be exploited big time tonight.

SA.

[Joe Baker Legend]

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[Strawberry Avenger]

Thanks, Joe.

Oj' starts.

Garner. Starts.

Yates suspended for this one.

Colback at LB?

Grabban drops to the bench (for a rest?). Lyle starts.

Fig', Mighten, Bong, Cafu and Car' on the bench.

SA.