Opposition Fans Comments

[Paplane]

Forgive me please anyone from here from Sheffield but my experience is that people from that city have a chip on their shoulder for some reason. Everyone I've ever worked with from there has been the same. Always seem angry.

[Madforit]

We experienced it also, where we parked the cars we walked up the road to be greeted with the usual hard cases hurling abuse and "scab" comments, they really are pond life, it was funny though, because as we crossed the rd towards them they soon melted away and disappeared.

[Joe Baker Legend]

Blunts Fans 1st Half Comments........

I hate forest even more than leeds personally pigs forest leeds in that order

Hopefully Johnson is marked out of the game. Will take a scruffy 1-0 win with no injuries.

126 days since we last conceded a goal at Bramall Lane.

Considering the gap between the last goal conceded at home in 2019/20 (Palace) and first goal conceded at home this season (Brum) was only 92 days, it's a quite something even with the unusual circumstances.

I think forest will definitely score and I can't see us winning.

If I had to put money on a correct score I'd probably go for 1-1.

My gut feeling is Forest will sit back and try and catch us on the break. But we have Weekend at McBurnie's who is about to set the league on fire....hat trick is on the cards. Then again it could be my breakfast!

Its going to be fun to see how Forest take tonight's game after finding out yesterday evening if they beat the Terriers @ home on Monday night they will be playing LIVERPOOL @ the City Ground in QF of FA Cup. R Forest just going to be lazy and sit back tonight already thinking ahead of the big game on Monday. No Forest player wanting to get injured or sent off tonight and end up missing the BIG MONEY game on Monday

Florist have some serious pace in their team, so Norwood needs to be at his defensive best, Robinson needs to be switched on and RDN needs to be ready to cover for him if they get past. This will be a real test for our defence as their counter attack is lightning quick.

I'm expecting serious shithousery from Florist as they know we'll be physical in trying to contain them. So expect lots of diving and rolling on the floor and a crap referee as always. The fans need to get behind the team and not focus too much on moaning at the ref.

Forest shirts looks like the court jesters

Our defenders passing has been like the court jesters so far !

Shaky start

We seem nervous with some of passing making Forest look better than what they are but cmon blades.

Egan got his left and right boots mixed up

Could be a long night this. Hope I’m wrong.

High boot near B Davies missed by the ref (or ignored)

Frustrating so far been a bit sloppy

You don’t need to be mystic meg to see that was coming.
Penalty

Never a pen but hey ho we got champions league Wes

So theres the warning...we need to pull our finger out and quickly

EASY SAVE THAT Shocking penalty kick that was. WELL DONE FODERINGHAM

Wasn’t an easy save, it was an amazing save because every keeper would have dived, Wes read the situation and made a great save look very easy.

Struggling big time Norrington-Davies up against the youngster

Spence and Johnson need to move to Amsterdam, I hear they have jobs for people who like to go down easily.

Strugglig with the pace of johnson and spence.

f**k me that was a ballsy tackle on a yellow!

Keep hold of the ball ffs, we are putting it on a plate for them

Really missing quality in our wingback positions

Robinsons been good

HT 0-0

First half for me:

Very sloppy in possession

Florist's pace is causing big problems

Wes is a fuckin' hero

Seriki has done okay, going forward, a bit nervy at the back (shirt pull?!? Lucky escape)

Ref is a bit of a knob

Atmosphere is a bit meh,.I think everyone is a bit nervous

Very poor first half. Can’t cope with high press and passing woeful. Need something more upfront I’m afraid.

Poor 1st half from us, forest definitely the better team, Robinson has been quite solid, egan hasn't, berge needs to carry the ball more in the second half, they cant get it off him, and that will open things for sharp and mgw. Again if we get owt from this game weve got league 1 wes to thank

Is this where Jebbison becomes the young Billy Sharp. Left out until he leaves?

Foderingham, Fleck, Berge and Robinson get a pass mark.

Everyone else hang your head in shame, that was god damn awful.

Is Egan playing for Forest? Set them up for attack after attack

RND and Seriki both having a torrid time.

Sharp and mgw balls just bouncing off them.


Hoping that a bit of a chat at halftime will put us right. Would be worried if roles were reversed that dominated chances and not taken any. We have a few more gears to go.

That Egan first touch needs some work....

Very lucky to be going in level. Some terrible passing at the back. Looked okish going forward but not really on the same wavelength.

Highlight of the half was Norwood trying to take Davies out and getting absolutely no joy.

Absolutely f*****g woeful.

The glaring obvious is legs. We don't have it.
They are getting up and down the pitch and even though their midfield wouldn't be classed a skillfull they are dogged.
Egan having a mare.
RND not good enough.
Seriki too raw yet...poor first touch and poor to react in time to a forward pass.
Berge is back to his previous form. One or two nice things and then disappears.
Lucky to be nil all. Big improvement required if we are to get something out of this game.

Some of the worst ball retention of the season. Their high press and energy is scaring the shit out of our defence.

They look a really good team and have done a good job on us so far. Press press press, beating us at our own game of winning the ball high up the pitch

Wank half. Hope the team talk gets a reaction.

That first half made it look like they all don’t play together every week and didn’t play together in the last game.

Our defence look determined to give Forest the win

After this performance so far them injuries and rearranged fixtures are looking to bite us.

2nd Half to follow later.......

[Joe Baker Legend]

Blunts Fans 2nd Half Comments......

We're offering bugger all in the final 3rd. I'd actually stick McB on for a bit

If we get a draw tonight it will be an amazing result

It is just miss kicks and miss passes so far this evening. SORT IT OUT HECKY or Forest will nick it

f**k me this is hard to watch

f**k me we dont deserve it but GET THE f**k IN BILLY!!!
1-0

That sharp, gerrim off

Sharp detractors never learn do they!

Now we’re cooking with Gas, great finish Billy lad.

Fatman scores again..... who would have thunk it.

KING GET IN BIIILLLLLLLLY!

What a cross and fantastic FINISH BY BILLY THE BLADE

Still think we'll concede. Score a 2nd and it's over.

Substitutions have been inspiring!

Also great to see a striker closing down defenders and their keeper, at pace, not doing it half heartedly but really putting them under pressure, well done Jebbo.

Great to see Osborne back

Ive missed osborne! Great energy

They say goals change games, but wow not that much

Osborn coming on has changed the game

So good to have a play that can create a bit of something out of nothing in MGW again. Love it.

Bunch of divers

Those of us..including me...who have wondered why Hecky jasnt given Jebbo more of a chance got our answer there!

Brilliant from Osborn

Jebbison should of burred that pass by MGW to seal the win

Passes to Mcb and that's the points sealed

Ref is a wanker

Ffs

If you keep giving the ball back to the other team they will eventually score

I think at 1-1 we still robbed em of a point!

A draw was probably fair but ffs 90+4 can’t hold on.

Pathetic Blades, RND losing his man and letting him have a free header.

McDonkey comes on the pitch

Gets booked

f***s about with it in the corner flag loses it

Their goal not picking up anyone
Shite

Well with that number of corners ,they had to score from one

Conceding like that with a minute to go is poor but we were asking for it all match.

They were much better than us.

Absolutely gutted but suppose a fair result, don’t see how it’s mcburnie’s fault tho!

Criminal that osborne hasn't been playing for so long. Disappointing performance and result but forrest were the better team today

Fair result IMO, annoying to not hang on but I’d have taken the point before the match.

Honestly don’t think we will get in the play off, not without having a settled side playing every week. Disgraceful from Hecky tbh. At least they will still all be fresh and not injured in Las Vegas for end of season trip while the play offs are on.

I maybe being harsh but that goal all stemmed from mcburnie playing silly twat in their corner. Hes a f*****g liability.

No injuries, no cards really.. 5 mins standard for a lazy c**t ref.

Let’s face it, we didn’t deserve anything from that game but we should’ve nicked all 3 if it wasn’t for a lack of concentration from Mcburnie who was suffering with ADHD

Bollocks, McBurnie pissing around with their free kick in the corner, also Fodders needlessly moving ball to other side of his penalty area before a goal kick, you're asking for a huge amount of extra time with that nonsense

Utd have only got them themselves to blame for not taking those chances they missed and wasted in last 10 minutes but can't argue Forest were the better team tonight

Definitely play Osborn at right back as opposed to the youngster, looked much safer at the back and more dangerous going forward

It's all about brains
Footballing brains to be more precise

Sheffield United dont do footballing brains which is why things like tonight happen

2 on 1 with 2 minutes left, all it needs is a square ball and it's probably 2-0

Jebbo bangs it out for a goalkick

Probably due to it being hammered into him for the last 10 years to f*****g wallop it somewhere

Forest love in on sky.

Also on here by the look of things, sleeper cell pigs just f**k off.

Not a pig for just accepting a team was better than you on the day? I think it showed today that we missed a few big players, but we held our own & could have nicked all 3.


They are 1 of the better teams I’ve seen this season, no shame in admitting that

Thought it was a great match really. Ref was shocking Wes was brilliant again and considering our patch work team they did great. Pity about the goal at the end but still another point. We didn't lose. Happy with that.


We probably just about deserved a point but we were second best for much of the game. Caused ourselves all manner of difficulties with sloppy, stupid play. They were quicker and livelier but didn't create a vast amount. Our luck kind of ran out at the end. We should have been 2-up by then though.

Wes - 7.5 - Give the man a point for doing his homework. Kept us in it but flapped at a couple as well.
RND - 4 - Clumsy mess. Stupid penalty. Could easily have given them another and a daft freekick. Got taken apart by Spence first half. Better in the second but I'm really not convinced.
Robinson - 6.5 - Best defender. Made a number of really good interceptions/headers/tackles first half. A bit rougher in the second and a stupid booking for kicking the ball away.
Egan - 5 - The Egan heavy first touch is beginning to give me nightmares. Some terrible passing and not sure who was meant to be marking the lad for their goal but he was there and abouts. I've been a little generous with the score considering the hodgepodge defence.
Davies - 5 - Pretty poor and clearly struggled at times on the right hand side. Improved a bit as it went on.
Seriki - 5 - Poor defensively and a bit wasteful with the final ball going forward but you can't fault the effort on his debut. Flashes going forward but also a bit jumpy
Fleck - 4 - Blimey. From the run through the middle to the a terrible header to but their striker through he had a fairly appalling game. They ran through us in midfield
Norwood - 4 - Terrible as well. Gave the balls away several times the first half and hilariously weak against their runners. Tried to take out Davies at one stage and just ended up flat on his face
Berge - 5 - Defensively slow and lacks determination to make up for it. A little bit better going forward, especially first half, but not by much
MGW - 6 - I thought he was so wasteful first half. Constantly trying daft tricks when we needed to get a foot on the ball. Better second half and looked our danger man. Great cross for the goal and almost set up another.
Sharp - 5.5 - Great header for the goal and worked himself into the ground. Won us freekicks when we needed them first half but also sloppy and a bit flat footed as well

Subs

Osborn - 6.5 - We had more energy as soon as he came on. Buzzes about. Was heavily involved in all our attacks. Good to see him back.
Jebbison - 4 - Oh man. Looked ok and showed a lot of energy but looked a little lost positionally. Terrible when 2 on 1 and should have done better with his chance or squared it
Little socks - 3 - Got booked for being a prick and made an absolutely half-arsed attempt to keep the ball in the corner.

Hecky - 6 - We were outclassed from the start and lucky to be in it by the time we made the subs. However, after getting a lot of stick in previous games the subs changed the game. I'm being generous on the score because they were really good and it's difficult when you have so many players out.

Forest - Got some class players. Johnson was dangerous until the penalty miss and I thought Davies was the best player on the pitch for 65/70 minutes. They also defended pretty well as well and put some great blocks and tackles in. I very much doubt we'd beat them over 2 legs if we got them in the play-offs.

Jebbo looked lively to me. Definitely, more pace and movement than McBurnie. We improved massively when he came on. Forest had been pressing us high up the pitch and we constantly gave them the ball back with punts in the general direction of Billy. Obviously, the brain fart is what people will dwell on.

[Joe Baker Legend]

The Aftermath.......

Best team to come to the lane in a very long time

No complaints from me, dreadful performance and a good point against a playoff contender, deserved nothing really. Forest by far the better side first half and shaded it second

Lucky to get a point, but no complaints really. we were outplayed for an hour & looked very leggy from playing too many games in quick succession. But we got a goal quite undeservedly in all honesty & were on top from then on. But forest were quality and were well worth the point.

A point was a fair result over the whole game but gutting to concede so late.

As much as Hecky deserves praise when he gets it right, he got it wrong for the first 65-70’mins tonight.
Really poor to throw an 18 y/o kid in for his first start against a good, well organised side and we just couldn’t keep hold of the ball.

Osborn impressed me for the first time this season when he came on.
MGW looked a different player when the subs were made but before that was utterly woeful.

Jebbo was very bright and lively but I think we paid for not giving him more game time because he fluffed his lines twice and we should have been home and dry.

Being over critical maybe because injuries are crippling us but we still should have made earlier changes.

On current form over the last 3 games we look a top 10 side but not enough going forward to dominate and kill off the better sides. Let’s be honest we rode our luck against Blackburn and for the majority of tonight’s game.

As for McBurnie - I don’t want to jump on the bandwagon but what exactly does he bring to the table? Surely we could have brought either Hourihane on to keep hold of the ball - or Ndiaye.

Forest are a decent, pacy team and closed down our midfield quickly and effectively so obviously had done their homework. They battered us for 70 minutes and overall we can be happy with a point as losing would have been disastrous

That's twice now we have let the scab bastards off the hook. Sick of us giving late goal away this season. Didn't deserve a thing from the game tonight but to be fortunate and go in front when you are playing shite you have to see the game out

We'll be in 9th next week. Could you image going back to the dressing room after that performance with Dave Basset or Warnock waiting for you ? They'd be getting a right f*****g and rightly so, can't f*****g defend a corner in the last minute really piss poor tonight. that's the difference between a team that will go up and a team of also rans. No doubt the sound bites from Hecky will be we have to learn from it but these tossers never do we been gifting goals most of the season and it is creeping back into the side again.

Definitely. If someone had offered me 1-1 when I saw the team sheet I’d have snatched their hand off. If I’d have been offered 1-1 after watching the first half I’d have snatched both hands off.

Forest’s first XI (minus Lowe) were better than our patched up team.

Add Bogle, Baldock, Basham, Didz etc. to our squad and we’d compete with them.

I don’t think anyone played terribly, however we just kept passing them the ball, Egan in the 1st minute and then it just carried on all game from pretty much everyone. I’m not gonna go in on anyone but we can’t afford to have that many underperforming players in a game, it’s always been the same.

Credit to Forest for putting us under the cosh but I don’t think they forced mistakes, I just think we made poor decisions with the ball and not just a few times, we were relentlessly shit in possession.

Wes kept us in the game with the early save and the pen save.

I’m just gutted to see us concede at home.

Please beat FC Wilder of Boro and send him back up the road with his todger up his ring piece.

A draw is more use to us than them because they are chasing us.

They were quick witted and well drilled and pressurised us into making mistakes early on.

Cracking goal from Billy and I would swap number nines with them in a heartbeat.


We'd have taken a draw at half time. In fairness probably best team to come to the Lane this season. Good game, they came to play and no shithousing. Obviously kick in the balls conceding last minute. But tonight is what most of us turn up for.

I thought that Forest were one of the best teams I have seen this season in terms of organisation and the way they pressed us for the majority of the game. They didn't allow us (with the exception of 10-15 minutes after Billy scored) time to play and forced us into turning the ball over far too much. This allowed them to come at us with pace but on the whole they didn't create too many clear cut chances, instead looking to win corners/free kicks in attacking positions.
I thought that Davies and Robinson in the back 3 looked composed and confident and if there was any weak link tonight, it was probably Egan who looked shaky at times.
The midfield took an hour to get into the game with Norwood not able to influence the pace of the game he became a spectator for long spells, Fleck didn't have the drive and impetus going forward and gave the ball away too much and Berge having to keep things simple but showing the odd glimpse of his ability and strength when carrying the ball.
For the most part, their defence marshalled Billy and MGW quite well with MGW having little to no impact on the game for the first hour or so but improving considerably after this point and creating space and chances finally.
Now to the wingbacks. I thought RND had a poor game. His positioning was terrible and he was caught out a number of times. They attacked well and got in behind him quite a few times although I thought he was harshly adjudged to have fouled Spence for the penalty. Spence knew what he was doing as he knocked the ball too far and then stepped across RND and dragged his toes into the turf before falling over. Not a penalty in my opinion but was given. Personally I thought it was justice when the ball was passed back to Foderingham from the spot. RND was not able to offer anything going forward and is always prone to give away free kicks in dangerous places due to his positioning. The return to fitness of Osborn is a welcome sight and will put pressure on RND to perform.
Seriki didn't do a great deal wrong but looked a bit overawed by the occasion. At times he seemed really hesitant and nervous however did some of the basics well. He will get better with age and experience.
The subs had a mixed influence on the game.
Osborn came on and looked good. He was composed on the ball and got some good challenges in whilst offering support going forward.
Jebbison looked lively and closed down well but showed his lack of experience with the 2v1 situation when he seemed to rush everything, getting the ball stuck in his feet before playing a poor ball out of play. He was unfortunate with his effort at goal and another one who will improve with age/experience.
McBurnie pressed and chased but had little impact on the game.

Now onto the referee...…Lets be honest, he was terrible. How can one person get so many decisions wrong. He blew for a foul pretty much every time they went down but missed obvious fouls and seemed oblivious to any fouls against us. It was no surprise that he gave the penalty.

All in all, we would have been fortunate to have taken all three points as they dictated the play for long spells. We did however create arguably the better chances on the night in open play with them seeming to be more dangerous from set plays than in open play. We switched off and left their man open to equalise.

Hopefully we can pick ourselves up and get players fit ready for Boro midweek. They will be similar to Forest in how they set up and will look to press us from the off.
We need a win to get things back on track.

[Joe Baker Legend]

Continued....

It was late heartbreak for United, as Forest scored in the 5th minute of stoppage time to deny the Blades the three points on a frantic night of action between two play-off contenders at Bramall Lane. In truth, despite how late the goal came, it was the least Forest deserved for being for the most part the better side in a game where a leggy home side beset with injuries to key defenders never really got going and for the third straight game hung in there more through grit, determination than any fluency or quality on the ball. United should have been behind after Forest missed a penalty and also hit the bar and had a number of other chances in a game where the Blades made error after error with the ball to gift possession back. However, against the run of play, Gibbs White’s magnificent cross and Sharp’s superb back stick header gave United the lead. The Blades improved after this and finally started to have some control of the game and had chances to double the lead but Forest remained dangerous and with a number of strikers on the pitch, won a late corner. From it, poor marking for the second week running saw Ryan Yates glance a header into the far corner to stun the home crowd. It was a well merited point but the manner of it was difficult to take.

United had to make changes again with Baldock not fit and young Seriki coming in for his league debut at right wing back. Fleck, Berge and Gibbs White came back in with Hourihane, Ndiaye and McBurnie being dropped to the bench as Heckingbottom continued to rotate his players with the number of games continuing at a pace. Forest made just one change with Jack Colback in for United loanee Max Lowe who was of course ineligible.

In front of a bumper crowd, Forest began on the front foot but most of their opportunities came from United’s mistakes. Egan was the first culprit with a give away and the dangerous Johnson cut in and took a shot that Foderingham had to push behind. From the corner, the ball came back in and Davis flicked his header wide. Egan and then Norwood gave it away as the poor start from United continued. Johnson, Davis and Spence were showing their power and pace and the home side could not keep the ball. Egan’s poor start continued with two further poor bad touches and the crowd started to become frustrated with the Blades basic mistakes which continued through Fleck and then Norrington Davies.

The visitors won a number of corners and were looking the sharper of the two sides by some distance. Sharp was caught offside twice as United could not really get the ball up the field. Forest won another corner and Worrall had an effort blocked and then Norrington Davies had to concede another as the pressure was ramped up.

However, from a break, the ball was played through from Gibbs White and Berge was able to run through and hit a fierce shot that Horvath pushed away. Forest were able to break away from the corner though and Davis was showing real power and pace and Davies and Robinson struggled to hold him up.

Zinckernagel was the next with a chance for the front foot Forest side and Foderingham had to make the save. Davis then flashed an effort wide. United just could not get going and Fleck’s sloppy touch saw the ball given away again. Gibbs White was trying to get on it but with little attacking threat down the sides, the ball was funnelled into the middle and Forest were dominating this area of the field.

From another corner, Seriki got away with a blatant shirt pull on Davis as he almost wrestled the shirt off his back and it seemed United had to use illegal means to get a grip of the powerful loanee. Berge was struggling to get into things and with Gibbs White’s flicks and tricks not really linking with others, it was the pacy Johnson and Spence that continued to be the threat the other way.


Indeed on 33 minutes, Spence got a one on one with Norrington Davjes and left him for dead with Fleck not able to support and as the wing back drifted across the box, the challenge from the Welsh defender was ill advised. Contact was perhaps minimal but there was enough for Spence to go down and after a fairly long wait, the referee pointed to the spot. Robinson booted the ball away in frustration and was booked.

After saving a penalty just over a week ago at the Lane, Foderingham would have felt confident but Johnson’s effort was woeful driven weakly down the middle and the new hero of the Lane, managed to make the save although had to parry it up and then gather on the second attempt, maybe he was shocked how bad the effort was!

The roars of the crowd seemed to galvanise United for a while and Gibbs White had an effort on goal but some strange refereeing decisions did not help their cause and after a brief spell where they got out, Forest continued to look the far better side. Zinckernagel had an effort blocked by Robinson before Davis once again forced them back with another impressive run.

Garner kicked the ball away after a foul on Berge and the half drifted to a close without further incident but Forest will be wondering quite how they had not led after dominating with possession and chances.

The second half saw Gibbs White win an early corner but this came to nothing before Davis again powered through from half way to win a corner at the other end. The striker than was felled by Davies as the referee judged the first foul and pull was from the on loan Blades defender and he was booked.

Forest won two more corners and from the second Cook’s powerful header flashed off the bar and United scrambled clear. It was another let off for the Blades. United had to try and change something and so made a double change and Osborn and Jebbison came on for Seriki and Norwood. Instantly Osborn made an interception and Jebbison was putting the defence under pressure as the Blades looked to find a footing in the game. Slowly, the home side started to see more of the ball and Berge in a deeper position began to finally see some of the ball but Gibbs White now was getting into little pockets of space. The game was more even at this stage but the opening goal still was unexpected as United had not really had a chance all game, aside from the Berge effort.

It came from Osborn down the right, who found Gibbs White and his clever stop and wait move saw him then deliver a gorgeous cross to the master marksman SHARP who peeled off his man and headed down and across the keeper and in off the post. A classic finish from the Blades legend who celebrated in front of the Kop.

Clearly fired up, the striker was then penalised for a foul soon after as the crowd were really now coming to life. Zinckernagel had another effort blocked by Robinson and then Davis again ran through before the Blades crowded him out. However, United were now much more of a threat the other way and after neat play, Gibbs White had a shot blocked before the ball ricocheted around off a defender following the rebound. Sharp then had a headed effort saved and Ben Davies could not follow up with a shot saved as finally it was the Blades looking the better side.

Surridge came on for McKenna and Mighten for Zinckernagel before Sharp departed after getting a whack with McBurnie on his place. Forest were now throwing men forward and United broke with a great chance but Jebbison made a total mess of the pass when two on one with Gibbs White over and clear. After this another silly free kick give away from Norrington Davies saw a chance for Forest but the free kick seemed to miss everyone with Foderingham going down injured. The referee adjudged there had been a touch and another corner but United cleared. Lolley came on for Colback as the game entered 5 minutes of stoppage time.


United could have sealed it as Jebbison was slipped in by Gibbs White but his shot was saved. Fleck won the corner soon after but McBurnie failed to keep it in the corner for more than a few seconds with needless foul and then compounded it by getting booked for kicking the ball away (arguable to the right spot where it should have been taken). The ball was knocked forward and Norrington Davies struggled to hold up Spence again and the corner was won. Garner swing it over and once again for the second week running, a completely free header comes in from YATES and it gave Foderingham no chance as it nestled into the corner. Cue wild celebrations at the visitors end of the ground as they had snatched a late, late draw.

The only remaining incident was McBurnie giving away another needless foul as he struggled again with the physical aspect of the game as a decent ball came in. The final whistle went soon and what had looked like a crucial three points saw the old habit of poor defending from set plays late in games come back to haunt United.

United – I have to say Hecky and United have been fantastic really both sides of Xmas and been on a great run. To go from where we were to now being in the mix is a remarkable ascension in results and performances. With the number of games and injuries to key men, we have done so well. However, I do feel we have looked weary and completely lacked fluency for a good period of games now. We have still picked up points but outside of the Swansea game, I feel against Huddersfield, Hull (to an extent although bad finishing), Blackburn, Millwall and today we have not had the level of control and play of games we had in that great run. We were not as good as everyone made out v Blackburn and you can argue they easily could have won that game (not helped by the red). We were poor on Saturday at Millwall with the squad rotation of course not helping as we were bereft of flair and our better technical players.



Tonight, I have to say I felt we were pretty woeful and with better finishing and maybe composure, Forest win that game by 2 or 3 clear goals. They had more possession, chances and had so many corners. Cooper was right in saying they by far the superior side. They are one of the better sides seen at the Lane but we did not help with cheap give aways from the start. Egan, Norwood, Fleck, Norrington Davies all guilty of awful passes/touches. We could have conceded two in the first two minutes. They looked up for it and had a number of young, fast and athletic players. We looked weak, small and slow sadly and maybe with the changes to the backline unbalanced. However, a lot will be made of players out but in reality, we are missing Baldock or Bogle and Bash. The others have been regular ish – Davies or Robinson, Egan and RND. Also, the front 5 might be our strongest in those areas currently. We just looked way off and you felt it was a matter of time before they scored as they dominated for an away side. We could not get up the field, they forced out wing backs into defensive areas and they just cleaned up the middle of the field.

For all that, they were given a big helping hand by us being so sloppy and ponderous in possession. Davis up top caused us all sorts of issues and then Spence too. The penalty might be a bit soft but there is contact and he is costing us weekly with stupid fouls, Norrington Davies. He struggles hugely with the defensive side and showed versus pace he is not a good defender and has to resort to fouling. Seriki found it really tough on the other side but our younger players were not helped by experienced players like Egan, Fleck and Norwood having awful games in the first half. The penalty save should have been the cue for us to get going but did not really happen and they continued to dominate. We had one Berge chance but they had maybe half a dozen. Even after the break they looked more threatening even if Gibbs White started to be a threat. They hit the corner and Davis was simply bulldozing through us with pace, power and skill.

[Joe Baker Legend]

Continued....

We had no answer for him all night as he helped them stay up the field.

We had to make changes and even though they were unusual, they at least gave us some energy and Osborn did well out of position. We scored a really good goal and then for 10 minutes player much better with a few other half chances and kept the ball well finally. Still, we never really had control of the game and they continued to cause issues and put loads of strikers on. Still Jebbison has two chances to finish the game and then Mcburnie has to just keep the ball for 30 seconds in the corner but meekly gets shoved off it and before you know it, they have another corner. Once again terrible marking and a late goal goes in (how many now have we conceded right at the death and from such basic defensive mistakes). I was annoyed but it was the least Forest deserved. We were second best most of the night save for a 15-minute spell after the goal. I am not sure I agree with Hecky that they had the first half and we had the second. The first half they were much better and the second was more even but they really deserved to win maybe 2 or 3-1 over the game. United looked very leggy and as I say whilst a lot will be made of the injuries and games, Forest also are missing key men too and have played a lot. I thought in a big game tonight we did not really do anywhere near enough and Forest had better individuals nearly to a man outside of some improvements from Gibbs White, Sharp and Osborn. Robinson had another steady game too.

They looked more powerful, quicker and overrun us at times. They did make poor decisions when in good areas but on another day, they score the penalty and the header goes in too. They also had countless other chances when they went through us too easily. In the end a point was a fortunate one even if the manner makes it feel like a loss. United have to dust themselves down but we need to somehow rediscover that level of play and control we had until the last few weeks. We seem to not look the same side we were and it is more on an effort type showing than any kind of control of the ball, possession and dictating games. I feel two sides Blackburn and Forest have actually come to the Lane and looked more likely to be the teams that push on and secure top 6 place based on how we have responded and yes, we got 4 points but we were actually second best in both games. We need to find a lift but I worry with the players like Sharp (age), MGW and Berge (fitness) being relied on that we may struggle to last the pace. We somehow need to get to the next break, stay in touch and hopefully get Baldock and maybe Basham back. We ended up with 4 left sided defenders on the field to end and it was really a bit of a patched-up end with who finished the game.

Tuesday night will be another lively night but a number of senior players need to improve after doing great for an excellent few months, I feel individually and collectively we have gone off the boil a bit, even if we have picked up some points. Norwood, Fleck, Egan and Berge need to have big games next Tuesday and be more careful with the ball and not be dictated to at our home ground. Gibbs White also needs to be at it from the start and not do it in patches. Maybe I am moaning too much and still should be glad we are in with a shout but do I get a sense the players don’t quite have the same belief they maybe had a month ago and perhaps it is down to just fatigue?


Forest – Of course improved hugely under Cooper and surged up the table and doing well in the cup. Like us, is it down to the previous manager being so negative and not getting his ideas across or is their replacements just doing a really good job? Maybe it is a combination of both. They have looked good in the cup games I have seen and although are relying on loan players, look a side that could go on a run and make the top 6. They have a lot of energy, power and pace and in Johnson, Spence and Davis, there is real threats to any defence. The defence still seems a bit static and clumsy down the middle and feel with pace Cook/Worrall and McKenna can be got at. However, today they were very good, helped by our giveaways and so many being off the game. Should have led well before we scored but Johnson’s penalty was horrific. After we scored, they sort of lost their way and chucked loads of forwards on but actually United could have sealed it. They did of course get the late goal and certainly would have been really harsh if they had lost as for the most part, they looked the better side. United did have a makeshift defence somewhat but we also had our better forwards playing and they looked far more dangerous with the options they had, albeit Sharp still only needs that one chance. I do fancy them to get in as they have the momentum. We kind of had it but the games being postponed and injuries means we do not seem to have the same level of performance and fluency we had. I think on tonight they look a better bet to make the top 6 than us but that is only one game of course.

Opponent Man of the Match – Davis. Superb performance where he looked like the second coming of Ronaldo (fat old one) and Lukaku rolled into one. We could not hold him and he ran at us time and time again. He could not quite deliver the end product but everything good they had come from his hold up and powerful and skilled dribbles. Spence also was a real threat and won the penalty and got behind us a number of occasions.

Opponent Weak link – Johnson showed flashes but goes to ground too easy and of course took the poor penalty. I felt the back lines struggled at times and Colback particularly showed he is not really a full back. He was clearly the one who we got some joy out of 2nd half down that side.

Referee/Officials – Another less than impressive performance. The penalty was maybe right but he gave some odd decisions and for a spell it seemed like players could clout each other and then he was being fussy. Saw some say 5 minutes was a lot of stoppage time but Foderingham time wasted twice for me (goal kick and injury – if it was one) and there were also 6 subs. It was fair enough. Still, he was just a very strange ref who seemed to not have any consistency in terms of the level of contact. A few times players went down and he gave free kicks for nothing and then wild tackles were let go – for both teams.

Matchday/Crowd – Better atmosphere. Still think the United crowd could do more but at least there was some noise and it was bit fuller than it has been. Nice to see the support for Ukraine pre match from four sides of the Lane -good to see Kell Brook paraded pre match too. Surely Tuesday should not need any kind of motivation for supporters to really create a fair bit of noise.

[zicorice]

Forgive me please anyone from here from Sheffield but my experience is that people from that city have a chip on their shoulder for some reason. Everyone I've ever worked with from there has been the same. Always seem angry.

Only the Blunt half. (Sorry quarter)The Sheff Wed's fans are alright.

[Paplane]

Forgive me please anyone from here from Sheffield but my experience is that people from that city have a chip on their shoulder for some reason. Everyone I've ever worked with from there has been the same. Always seem angry.

Only the Blunt half. (Sorry quarter)The Sheff Wed's fans are alright.

Ah ok.

[Tricky]

Despite the crap and bile that was being made by their fans before the match, I have to say that the vast majority of their post match comments were quite well balanced and complimentary on the whole.

Thank you for taking the time to do this again JBL

[zicorice]

Despite the crap and bile that was being made by their fans before the match, I have to say that the vast majority of their post match comments were quite well balanced and complimentary on the whole.

Thank you for taking the time to do this again JBL

It was 10 times worse at the game believe me.

At least a few of them can read and write enough to put the comments admitting we should have hammered them. (Special mention the the person who wrote a thesis about the game).

Also if a Boro fan can receive a 3 Yr ban for calling sheep bothereds "sheep sh@ggers", when will it become "inappropriate" for "scabs" abuse to be hurled at us by youngsters who have no clue what a mine even looks like?

[Joe Baker Legend]

Huddersfield Fans Pre Match Comments......

Tough game this. Both teams focused on getting in the play offs so I suspect both might put out weaker teams, (our bench is strong but I imagine Carlos will be planning for the following game).

We stole a win at their place earlier and they will be up for this, head says a narrow defeat. Having said that we beat Fulham at theirs, so who knows...

Im sure its deliberate, but seems like a recipe for disaster putting the home fans in a tier above the away fans

Maybe im wrong and the Forest fans are a lovely bunch

I can see this game as a high tempo typical fa cup cracker, put out a strong team Carlos and have em.

Forest fans are a lovely bunch!!far from it they have some right knob heads and are deluded just like ore friends down the road and the MASSIVE

Seem to live in the past a lot of Forest supporters.

I have a feeling this will go to penalties, more drama.

its got 0-0 extra time penalties written all over it.

Could say much the same for Forest. FA cup results aside they haven't been up against many really in form teams apart from Boro who they got beaten by in Dec though they did get 3 points away at Blackburn last month. The resuts of the 2 teams and respective quality of opposition has been fairly comparable since Dec really. It points toward a tight game on Monday. A Town win would be great but I won't be inconsolable if we lose, neither team is that likely to progress beyond the Liverpool game.

Twitter is awash with Forest fans playing warm up games now before they play Liverpool . No idea what they’ve been taking but it looks incredible

It’s not even about playing Liverpool for me.
It’s just shutting up those smug twats and preventing them from playing Liverpool.

These forest fans make me laugh, who do they think they are.
I hope they do take us lightly and absolutely batter em

Some smug comments on the Forest forums.. I don’t think they’ve forgiven us for sending them Diakhaby .. in my opinion one of the worst footballers ever to play for Huddersfield Town

Can't blame them really. Astonishingly poor footballer.

Beat Forest just to shut their gobby fans up then put the B team in v Liverpool as we've no chance v the world diving champions (is Tom Daley on the coaching staff there?)

Cooper has had several goes at promotion already at Swansea, arguably with a better squad, and failed both times. Why the hell do they think it’s going to be different this time?

On the LTLF Nottingham Forest forum we've been labelled 'Duddersfield'.

Is there any point us turning up tomorrow or should we just give the mighty Forest a bye so they can have the game they deserve v Liverpool without the hindrance of having to play Duddersfield first

Noticed that went I visited their site yesterday. At first I saw "Dude"ersfield (thinking it was someone trying to sound US American), but soon realised that this wasn't the case: Heard worse, but "Duddersfield" certainly isn't very complementary-sounding :-)

Wish they'd go bust.

I'm not overly bothered about getting through , more concerned with keeping the league form going . Assure the play offs , and then see if we can sneak second spot.

Want to win tomorrow more to shut up the smug , arrogant Forest fans who think they have a bye to the Q-F

I just messaged a Derby mate asking if there's something in the water in the Midlands wastelands as the Forest fans make them and Sheff Weds seem objective and generous. They certainly have far more than their fair share of weapons.

There was more respect from established PL teams that recognise us as a traditional club.

Keeping the decent run would be nice, also to shut the scabs gobs would be a bonus.

Carlos has already said that he plans to play Blackman instead of Nicholls. I'll be amazed if he plays anywhere near our strongest 11. I'm expecting him to play a starting 11 made up mainly of players who haven't started much lately, but with a very strong bench. Same as previous rounds. Saying that, our back ups are much stronger than we've had available previously, so it's hardly like putting a team of kids out.