The Championship

[Strawberry Avenger]

Just need a point today to go 5th at least temporarily.

Yep.

At least a point from this game.

If we can hold Boro' today, we can break the play offs.  Transfer window to come.

SA.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

Millwall are set to include 15 year old Zak Lovelace on the bench at Coventry tonight, with only 14 senior players - including 2 goalkeepers available. Lovelace is travelling to the Midlands this afternoon after the club received permission from his parents & his school.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Blackburn astonishingly equal on points with Fulham now. Thought they would sell Brereton, they would be mad to in the position they are in. Boro looking strong and in the market for a striker, they would have buried us first half had they a clinical finisher. Think the same situation with West Brom.

That being the case those are the top 5 places sorted out. Leaves Forest, Stoke, QPR and probably Sheff Utd for the last spot. Think others will fall by the wayside.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Blackburn astonishingly equal on points with Fulham now. Thought they would sell Brereton, they would be mad to in the position they are in. Boro looking strong and in the market for a striker, they would have buried us first half had they a clinical finisher. Think the same situation with West Brom.

That being the case those are the top 5 places sorted out. Leaves Forest, Stoke, QPR and probably Sheff Utd for the last spot. Think others will fall by the wayside.

I think you're about right there.  Brereton has done well for Blackburn.  Mo' has finally gotten the perennial mid-tablers ticking.  It's taken a while.  Talismanic Brereton has been at the heart of that surge up the table (and credit Mo's long term thinking with that buy, I guess.)  Incredible run to be equal with Fulham now.  Are they on their way back to the Promised Land?  

(Boro' had wingbacks and an enthusiastic CM plus a head start.). Wilder's Boro' will put pressure on the top 4.

Forest will have to strengthen significantly to break that top 5.  We need several quality players in to make a fair fist of it.  A four way shoot out tween Forest and the teams you mention.

SA.

[GaribaldiRED]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

[wassy04]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

Disagree, I think it shows an acknowledgement that we're above where expected and also that we've done well despite the limitations of the squad. Plus the fact that we've no depth in wing back/striker/centre back. Also, we played a lot of top teams before CH left which is skewing that stat (not the discredit the team since then) just to point out that stat does not take into account strength of schedule.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

Disagree, I think it shows an acknowledgement that we're above where expected and also that we've done well despite the limitations of the squad. Plus the fact that we've no depth in wing back (and the ones we have are borrowed)/striker/centre back. Also, we played a lot of top teams before CH left which is skewing that stat (not the discredit the team since then) just to point out that stat does not take into account strength of schedule.

:cool:

SA.

[GaribaldiRED]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

Disagree, I think it shows an acknowledgement that we're above where expected and also that we've done well despite the limitations of the squad. Plus the fact that we've no depth in wing back/striker/centre back. Also, we played a lot of top teams before CH left which is skewing that stat (not the discredit the team since then) just to point out that stat does not take into account strength of schedule.

You can twist and turn it every way you want but the facts remain the same.

[wassy04]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

Disagree, I think it shows an acknowledgement that we're above where expected and also that we've done well despite the limitations of the squad. Plus the fact that we've no depth in wing back/striker/centre back. Also, we played a lot of top teams before CH left which is skewing that stat (not the discredit the team since then) just to point out that stat does not take into account strength of schedule.

You can twist and turn it every way you want but the facts remain the same.

The facts being we had a tough start where we played Blackburn, Bournemouth, Cov, Stoke, Boro plus Cardiff & Derby. Therefore, we have had comparatively easier matches up until the last game against Boro.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

Disagree, I think it shows an acknowledgement that we're above where expected and also that we've done well despite the limitations of the squad. Plus the fact that we've no depth in wing back/striker/centre back. Also, we played a lot of top teams before CH left which is skewing that stat (not the discredit the team since then) just to point out that stat does not take into account strength of schedule.

You can twist and turn it every way you want but the facts remain the same.

The facts being we had a tough start where we played Blackburn, Bournemouth, Cov, Stoke, Boro plus Cardiff & Derby. Therefore, we have had comparatively easier matches up until the last game against Boro.

I think our start to the season shows that against the top/play off teams Forest struggled with the limited squad depth or fielding a side without wingbacks/fullbacks.  The games were close but Forest were pummelled in terms of results.

For once we've done very well(!) against the 'easier' teams picking up points relentlessly until the last match, where, against a true play off contender, Forest looked short in wb, CH and CM.

Against Huddersfield tonight, Forest will against have the chance to prove themselves against a play off contender.  Spence is back.  (I wish Lowe was!)

SA.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

And that IS a positive stat'.  Positive talk is, of course, welcome! :)

And all things being equal (which Forest's squad isn't at the moment) then I'd be very bullish about 'doin' Huddersfield tonight. I always expect 3 points. But I'm realistic to know what happens to Forest teams that have injury crisis whether under Davis, under recruited ones under Hughton or whether Cooper's tactical know how can defy gravity tonight.

Indeed 'current form' run, yep, that is truly a great stat.  Incredible. One of the best things Forest have done in the last 20 odd years. From irreconcilable doom to radiant hope.

But no. It's not odd. Not at all. From the ashes of yet another manager, Forest have, somehow, got to within an elusive grasp of the play offs.

Not so 'odd' when it comes to facing the top 6 (and we'll have to, at some point, to break into the play offs) Forest need to be able to beat those 'difficult' teams and, in my view, have the resources to do so. Sheff U. Draw. Cov'. Loss. Bourney. Loss. WBA. Draw. Blackburn. Loss. QPR. Loss. Draw. Boro. Loss x2. Stoke. Loss. Fulham. Loss. Huddersfield are the only ones we've beaten in the top 6? With current play staff, it suggests we have a glass ceiling and will just fall short.

2 injured fullbacks/wingsbacks, 1 past their sell by date and one who has yet to play and is currently injured, 2 wingers injured, a lack of experienced CH for 'the 3' at the back and a dearth of experienced and dominating CM ball players and one injury to Grabban de-railing our season (who is going to score the goals then?) is significant.

Forest recruitment need to look at the players who are making meaningful contributions.  Lots of apparent 'depth' overloading areas where players aren't getting games for a variety of reasons.

I feel phase '2' (building on phase 1's Summer transfer work) is just as 'significant.' January IS significant. The additions we make WILL be significant. Will they be significant in numbers? That's up to Cooper and the recruitment team to decide. We're not talking a squad or 1st team overhaul. 2-3 looks like the minimum we'll need coming in. I'd be happier with 4-5. I'm not Cooper. :D

Distorting the picture even is the potential for upto 4 loans to be recalled. And two possible exits in Worrall and BJ. That's the potential for 6 players to leave. We wouldn't, of course(?), just bring in a LB and a striker in that scenario? If Spence, for example, is recalled? Forest either play Fin or have to step into the transfer market as I doubt Tutu is going to be fit for a while. If Lowe is recalled. Forest must bring in a LB as just to replace their 1st choice (which they don't even own) and play their best CM out of position weakening the CM birth. And one injury to Lowe puts Forest back to square one again. Disruption to two positions because Bong is too old and Jack's best form at CM is going begging until Forest address this. Even with Colback returning to the CM. Some might suggest we need a genuine ball playing CM if one becomes available to Forest's budget.

It's been a while since I've been this intrigued by a transfer window with Cooper yet to put his Stamp on the Forest squad.

Forest are poised with an amazing opportunity to get into the play offs.  I don't think just adding a LB and a Striker will be enough.

If Cooper can rub his genie and beat Huddersfield tonight and go on another 3 match winning run, he'll only go higher in my estimation.

I think Cooper has the more difficulty job to do out of he and Wilder's Boro'.  As an example of context.

SA.

[wassy04]

Forest are still top of the league after CH left and the only team that have lost only twice in that period. Talk of having to strengthen significantly to be able to break into top 5 seems a bit odd taking that into consideration.

Disagree, I think it shows an acknowledgement that we're above where expected and also that we've done well despite the limitations of the squad. Plus the fact that we've no depth in wing back/striker/centre back. Also, we played a lot of top teams before CH left which is skewing that stat (not the discredit the team since then) just to point out that stat does not take into account strength of schedule.

You can twist and turn it every way you want but the facts remain the same.

The facts being we had a tough start where we played Blackburn, Bournemouth, Cov, Stoke, Boro plus Cardiff & Derby. Therefore, we have had comparatively easier matches up until the last game against Boro.

Two games against two now top 6 teams and we lost. There's no need to panic just accept we will get less points against better teams.