Nottingham Forest - Luton Town

[Salvatore Matrecano]

So bringing on 2 subs with precisely zero PL experience between them would have been a better idea?

If Cooper had done so, with probably the same outcome, you would have slaughtered him for not bringing on some experienced players to see the game out.

Jinx

Great minds Wassy.
Its true though, I don’t get what he was supposed to have done.

I agree the subs changed the momentum, we lost the midfield totally which put the defence under pressure leading to the mistakes. If there is a criticism it is making 3 at once was too much.

But we don’t know which players were struggling. Sangare was on a yellow and had been away. Boly we know has hamstrings made of paper and apparently asked to come off. Elanga had been away too, no idea on Dominguez but for all we know he could have had a knock. Its hardly that Yates and Kouyate are poor.
Ultimately those players collectively didn’t perform at the end f the game.

[Paplane]

Still really annoyed. That was a game we should be winning and although there are no easy games, that was probably the easiest game on paper. And we had it won but for complacency in the final ten. Just making those subs sends the message to everyone that this one is won.



Now if we could win at Anfield then my mood will brighten.

The low block, hit them on the break Forest and the expansive go for the win
Forest are completely different animals. We could well achieve something at Anfield.

[wassy04]

So bringing on 2 subs with precisely zero PL experience between them would have been a better idea?

If Cooper had done so, with probably the same outcome, you would have slaughtered him for not bringing on some experienced players to see the game out.

Jinx

Great minds Wassy.
Its true though, I don’t get what he was supposed to have done.

I agree the subs changed the momentum, we lost the midfield totally which put the defence under pressure leading to the mistakes. If there is a criticism it is making 3 at once was too much.

But we don’t know which players were struggling. Sangare was on a yellow and had been away. Boly we know has hamstrings made of paper and apparently asked to come off. Elanga had been away too, no idea on  Dominguez but for all we know he could have had a knock. Its hardly that Yates and Kouyate are poor.
Ultimately those players collectively didn’t perform at the end f the game.

If there was any mistake it was not bringing on Aina for Aurier in that selection of subs. 

The reason we didn't win was two dreadful mistakes and also the myriad of missed opportunities we had across the game. Sangare, MGW, Aurier, Wood all misses very good chances and Wood should've stayed onside at the end then we'd all be much happier.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Still really annoyed. That was a game we should be winning and although there are no easy games, that was probably the easiest game on paper. And we had it won but for complacency in the final ten. Just making those subs sends the message to everyone that this one is won.



Now if we could win at Anfield then my mood will brighten.

The low block, hit them on the break Forest and the expansive go for the win
Forest are completely different animals. We could well achieve something at Anfield.

Thats the spirit!

On another point and not for a second excusing the defending because it was poor, but Luton did a job very well yesterday, pushed up at the end, fizzed some balls in, 2 chances and put them both away. They were both very well taken goals, they could achieve what we did last year on that showing.

[Fumanchew]

For all that’s been said of Luton this season I think they have more balls then we did last season.

I know people are saying that the first 3 changes lost the midfield but these are experience subs, cooper should be able to rely on them for 25 mins. We saw last season Joe with broken ribs come back and get his head to ball on the ground. Where was that mentality yesterday? Kouyate played 90mins against Cameroon, 25 mins against Luton protecting the back 4 should have been child’s play

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

For all that’s been said of Luton this season I think they have more balls then we did last season.

I know people are saying that the first 3 changes lost the midfield but these are experience subs, cooper should be able to rely on them for 25 mins. We saw last season Joe with broken ribs come back and get his head to ball on the ground. Where was that mentality yesterday? Kouyate played 90mins against Cameroon, 25 mins against Luton protecting the back 4 should have been child’s play

It's interesting that Steve said he took Boly off because of Jet lag and he brings Kouyate on who must have also been suffering from jet lag...

Jet lag my arse, what a load of bollocks. Funny how the word jet lag has never been trotted out before until yesterday.

Jet lag, how convenient.

[zicorice]

Alot to unpick!

Positives:
- Midfield 3 were looking very good, both individually and as a trio with balance and poise.
- Boly: Whoever partners him seems to have a good game. He is the glue to hold our back line together.
- Toffolo had another mostly decent game.
- Goal threat- we actually created 4 or 5 really decent chances.
- Chris Wood: Linked up really well and scored 2 lovely goals. If Taiwo  is fit next week, he starts on bench.
- Elanga-This lad has huge potential and yesterday we saw alot of what we can hope to see more of in future. 2 assists but was a handful all day.
- Aurier and Aina both back fit.
- Game went ahead.
- A point close to 1st target of 40.
- Luton a point closer to 12.

Negatives
- 2 points lost.
- 5 individual errors leading to 2 goals, that's criminal at any level. (MGW petulant foul, Aurier doing the worm then Toffolo statuesque for 1st. Worrall beaten and Ainas total lack of cover for 2nd).
- Luton had a good chance or two in 1st half.
- Predictably after the ridiculous over hype Murillo received at Palace he had a much less effective game. Three times on bounce in 1st half he underhit long diagonals out to their LB instead of MGW. He didn't look too secure defensively either at times. A huge talent for sure, but he still has alot of developing to do as you'd expect as his age.
- Boly- immense as always, but he needs wrapping in cotton wool. I 100% understand and accept SC had to replace him when he did, Boly knows his body and fatigue leads to muscular injuries (15 yrs of being plagued with hamstring issues myself as a player, you know when it's time to come off). Losing him for 3-6 weeks would derail us hugely, so 15 minutes at 2-0 made total sense-but cost us 2 points.
- Subs: Boly I get as explained above, but at the time when a raft of changes were made I turned to my mate and said "if we don't win Cooper will get absolute pelters". I am not privy to the sports science data on Heart Rates, recovery rates, sprint times and distances covered so I say this in ignorance and would never claim to know more than SC but, I could state a positive case for every single sub he made, its just it didn't feel quite right making so many at once. Not being smart with hindsight, it's exactly what we said at time. However, Dominiguez looked done and if he got injured (or Sangare for that matter) they'd be huge losses. Very easy for me to say it but SC had to make a difficult judgement call and it didn't work out due to individual errors.
- Support- During game was mediocre  but after equaliser some individuals abuse of our skipper was way over the line and booing our own players is never OK unless they have done something malicious against the club or are not giving 100%.
- Booing at end is not for me either tbh.
- Post match reactions I am now accustomed to the Modern "we are the best in the Universe ever" when we win and "we are a load of crap and everyone is useless" when we lose or throw away points. But last night I read some disgusting comments about Joe including wishing him dead! WTF is wrong with some people? The guy was moaning about missing out on Liverpool away so is a Season Card and away member! He should be banned and his SC given to a more worthy supporter. Criticism-fine but that's really not OK.
- As above but the SC out brigade are up and running. I look at Bournemouth or historically Stoke for clubs who think a change in manager can take you to next level, change style of play and with numerous new players instantly. Many current expectations outstrip the ability of our squad, especially factoring in injuries to Felipe, Danilo and Taiwo. Progression is rarely linear.
- We're back in 15th which despite 6 point buffer is too close to 18th for anyone's liking with our least productive ground to visit next weekend.

Ultimately we are where I thought we might be, hopefully avoiding 2nd season syndrome and developing our style of play. Perhaps it's the long wait over the international break but the reactions were a bit OTT. Should we be beating Luton? Yes. Did we play well for most of game? Yes. Did we get the result we deserved? Debatable  as with the errors made you normally get nowt.

Bring on the Scousers...

[Paplane]

For all that’s been said of Luton this season I think they have more balls then we did last season.

I know people are saying that the first 3 changes lost the midfield but these are experience subs, cooper should be able to rely on them for 25 mins. We saw last season Joe with broken ribs come back and get his head to ball on the ground. Where was that mentality yesterday? Kouyate played 90mins against Cameroon, 25 mins against Luton protecting the back 4 should have been child’s play

They're certainly looking better than we looked at this stage id say. I watched their game against Burnley and obviously saw them yesterday and to me they always look capable of giving teams problems with their style, its just they make a few errors too, which might be their undoing. But at the moment id say they're out of the bottom three on merit. Sheffield, Burnley and Bournemouth look way off the pace. Luton seem to be a bit capable.

[Mist From The Trent]

Tuner - Didn't really do anything wrong? Maybe some slow distribution if being overly critical. 7

Aurier - I think he has been poor this season, and that continued yesterday. I would like to see Aina given a run at right back. 4

Boly - Class. Again. 8

Murillo - Steady. 7

Toffolo - Steady. 7

Mangala - Think he has been our best player this season, MOTM for me. 8.5

Dominguez- Not as good as his previous games, but still good. 7

Sangare - Yet to really show us he is worth 30m. Looks very good in flashes. Missed a sitter and always seems to tire around the 65/70 min mark. 5.5

MGW - Some decent bits, maybe I expect too much from him, maybe he shouldn't be shoehorned out on the right. 5.5

Elanga - Thought he looked dangerous, 2 assists, works hard. 7.5

Wood - 2 goals, could have scored 4. 7.5

Subs.
Worrall - 3
Kouayte - 4
Yates - 4
Williams - 4
Aina - 4

I'm not sure any of the subs offered anything to the game at all.

[Trailer Park Tom]

Tuner - Didn't really do anything wrong? Maybe some slow distribution if being overly critical. 7

Aurier - I think he has been poor this season, and that continued yesterday. I would like to see Aina given a run at right back. 4

Boly - Class. Again. 8

Murillo - Steady. 7

Toffolo - Steady. 7

Mangala - Think he has been our best player this season, MOTM for me. 8.5

Dominguez- Not as good as his previous games, but still good. 7

Sangare - Yet to really show us he is worth 30m. Looks very good in flashes. Missed a sitter and always seems to tire around the 65/70 min mark. 5.5

MGW - Some decent bits, maybe I expect too much from him, maybe he shouldn't be shoehorned out on the right. 5.5

Elanga - Thought he looked dangerous, 2 assists, works hard. 7.5

Wood - 2 goals, could have scored 4. 7.5

Subs.
Worrall - 3
Kouayte - 4
Yates - 4
Williams - 4
Aina - 4

I'm not sure any of the subs offered anything to the game at all.

It's a tough one with MGW. I thought he had a good game on the ball, was involved in both goals and other creative opportunities. Obviously missed a good chance and gave away an important freekick. It doesn't help when the spine of the team around him is changed.

[Username]

Tuner - Didn't really do anything wrong? Maybe some slow distribution if being overly critical. 7

Aurier - I think he has been poor this season, and that continued yesterday. I would like to see Aina given a run at right back. 4

Boly - Class. Again. 8

Murillo - Steady. 7

Toffolo - Steady. 7

Mangala - Think he has been our best player this season, MOTM for me. 8.5

Dominguez- Not as good as his previous games, but still good. 7

Sangare - Yet to really show us he is worth 30m. Looks very good in flashes. Missed a sitter and always seems to tire around the 65/70 min mark. 5.5

MGW - Some decent bits, maybe I expect too much from him, maybe he shouldn't be shoehorned out on the right. 5.5

Elanga - Thought he looked dangerous, 2 assists, works hard. 7.5

Wood - 2 goals, could have scored 4. 7.5

Subs.
Worrall - 3
Kouayte - 4
Yates - 4
Williams - 4
Aina - 4

I'm not sure any of the subs offered anything to the game at all.

Aurier was phenomenal at Palace away

[Mist From The Trent]

He played 45 minutes against a team that had a striker on the left wing? He didn't contribute anything going forward either. Phenomenal?