Nottingham Forest - Aston Villa

[RedMW]

So it turns out O'Brien was the makeweight in the Toffolo to Forest deal

[Salvatore Matrecano]

That looked like the Niakhate we'd hoped we'd signed today. Excellent against a very good striker in Watkins.

Well done lads, big performance big result.

Was just about to post the same SR, Niakhate was absolutely superb, Watkins barely touched the ball.

Great performance of 2 halves in differening ways. Took the game to them 1st, dug in 2nd, really well done.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Quiet on here when we win isn’t it?

[Simon]

Just a shout out for the young lad who lost his way playing the last post he's probably practiced for months and been perfect. Feel for him  but his time will come again.

thought the crowd and players were really supportive of him - players from both sides went up to him at the end and a welcome applause whilst going around the pitch.

[zicorice]

You call it bickering and sniping Tricky but I call it debate.

I have the greatest respect for Salvatore and Wassy.

They have their opinions and I have mine and we simply debate that in an adult manner with no swearing or name calling etc.

What is wrong with that?

I think Tricky and MR have a valid point Sniff.
The debate on the Injuries thread is getting a bit ridiculous and its not even in the right thread! I don’t want to put people off reading this forum by getting to the stage of name calling. Lets leave it for a bit.

Right, team for Sunday

Ody
Boly Murillo Niakhate
Aurier Sangare Mangala Dominguez Aina
MGW
Taiwo

No its not an attacking line up but it saves Elanga on the bench for later in the game. Taiwo gives us 60 mins maximum.

Cooper said after the Liverpool game he wanted to stick with 433 except Wood was injured. So presuming Taiwo is fit enough to start it'll be 433. I suppose the risk is who is going to go up front when Taiwo has to come off? Hopefully we're 2-0 up by then and Cooper can make some of his trademark subs.

 Bloody hell Wassy04 you swallowed a crystal ball?

[wassy04]

My first game of the season today and we crushed it. Superb defensive performance all round, Sangare I thought had his best game so far too. Shame we couldn't stay onside throughout the game otherwise we could've scored loads.

[wassy04]

You call it bickering and sniping Tricky but I call it debate.

I have the greatest respect for Salvatore and Wassy.

They have their opinions and I have mine and we simply debate that in an adult manner with no swearing or name calling etc.

What is wrong with that?

I think Tricky and MR have a valid point Sniff.
The debate on the Injuries thread is getting a bit ridiculous and its not even in the right thread! I don’t want to put people off reading this forum by getting to the stage of name calling. Lets leave it for a bit.

Right, team for Sunday

Ody
Boly Murillo Niakhate
Aurier Sangare Mangala Dominguez Aina
MGW
Taiwo

No its not an attacking line up but it saves Elanga on the bench for later in the game. Taiwo gives us 60 mins maximum.

Cooper said after the Liverpool game he wanted to stick with 433 except Wood was injured. So presuming Taiwo is fit enough to start it'll be 433. I suppose the risk is who is going to go up front when Taiwo has to come off? Hopefully we're 2-0 up by then and Cooper can make some of his trademark subs.

 Bloody hell Wassy04 you swallowed a crystal ball?

Haha I just know the game obviously!

[stefanduma]

After the draw against Luton and the Liverpool defeat, lots of people pulling their hair out, floating past the Trent End, and headed out to sea, having decided life is not worth living. Preparing for the new Messiah to replace the old. We beat Villa and are looking at the Champions League. Fickle fans!

[Hyperkoi]

Anyone else see douglas Luiz swapping shirts with murillo at half time. He knows a player.

[zicorice]

Disclaimer: I have not watched game back yet on TV, but don't feel I need too.

Positives
- 2 cracking strikes for goals.
- First half could have been 2 or 3 up but for some curious officiating.
- CBs: I hold my hands up to feeling a bit nervous when I saw Murillo and Niakhate together. But they were excellent, one mistake from Murillo in 1st half that Villa failed to punish was their only blemish. As for Niakhate, I've been very worried about him, wondering if his injury had affected him long term, but today for the first time we saw "the beast" we believed we'd signed. One swallow doesn't make a summer, but
If the pair can play consistently at the level shown today Boly and even a fit Felipe would have to bide their time. I want to see another clean sheet performance at West Ham now....please.
- GK played well, did what needed to be done with no fuss. Can't do anymore than get a clean sheet on debut.
- Midfield 1st half were outstanding. Dominguez and Mangala were exceptional. Sangare still not quite where we want him to be, but definitely moving in right direction.
- Front 3 looked dangerous every time we attacked, gambled playing on shoulder of last man, resulting in loads of offsides (some dubious). Having a Centre forward makes a difference (Wood included, we missed him last week too)
- Full backs were absolutely outstanding, including those off the bench.
- Steve Cooper's  subs, some forced, some not, helped shore up the game.
- Neco Williams deserves a special mention, for some reason he has come in for criticism whilst out of the team. His 1 v 1 defending at left back after Aina cramped up was superb. Some people seem to have forgotten that he was flying - until Jonno broke his jaw- and is still a young developing player.
- 3 points
- 2nd half defensive display as a whole team-including subs.
- Danilo is back.
- MGW had a decent game. I quite like him playing from right hand side, he did OK against Palce there it gives him time and spsce  plus mistakes out wide aren't likely to be as costly.
- 12th in table.
- Atmosphere is back.
- Still unbeaten at home in League.

Negatives

- Our injury luck at full back. Every single full back on the books has had time out injured. Toffolo has been really growing into that LB role...then goes off injured.
- Sangare still getting up to speed. I heard from a reliable source that he's a great lad but admits he is taking time to get used to ferocious pace of league. Mangala took most of last season buy now really looks the part. I think Sangare will continue to get better  but dont expect to see best of him until after Christmas.

A great 3 points but I will only be fully satisfied if we can back it up next week with a decent performance and result at West  Ham. Last season we embarrassed ourselves a bit down there and West Ham have lost 2 close games so will want to prove a point.

Well done lads. Steve Cooper's interview was excellent afterwards, especially regarding the GK department. He is a special coach for us.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

Didn’t realise Toff got both assists today.
Gives him 3 in 5 games and is equal top in assists with Elanga

Top Dad by the look of it too. Good lad!

[Simon]

i love this club.