Nottingham Forest - Manchester City

[Reds73]

Slept on it as usual before commenting.

Feeling slightly disappointed this morning.

In the end I thought the occasion turned out to be a bit of a damp squib.

Also slightly baffled by Nuno's team selection.

If Elanga is 100% fit and not nursing an injury then I am a bit miffed that he didn't start the game as I suspect are many others.

I'm struggling to believe he's fully fit. He was all over Spurs before coming off when you'd think we'd need him then we definitely needed him today and he did so well in the first game vs City too.

Interesting in the post match presser, they asked Nuno if he should have started Elanga.
To which he answered that he had given serious consideration to starting him at right back !

It sounds like Nuno was never going to play CHO, Elanga, MGW and Wood from the off against City as an attacking quartet.

Because of Abbott and Toff starting? It's just odd as he started them all when we beat them at the City Ground. 

What happened with Aina in the end?

He did TYE last 2 training sessions before the game, so he is defo back in training.
I guess in the end they chose not to risk him.

[Chicago]

I wouldn't have played Sangare in Danilo's role. I would have put the same attacking line up with five in the midfield but with Sosa instead of Elanga if Antony is nursing an injury. I like Sosa. I think he has something about him and he seems tough. Jota is annoying and falls on the ground too often and I would like him more if he didn't do that. Sosa on the other hand has had one bad game. The other times I have seen him he has looked lively and dangerous and has a pretty good footballing mind. I would employ him Thursday if Elanga cannot do the 90. Two speedy wingers make it easier for Chris to operate.

As for Barry (my nickname for Danilo), he is coming off a terrible injury and he is an excellent passer but it's clear he is worried about tackling. He was excellent against Brighton who like to stand off but against Citeh they like to swarm. I would play him in other games but not in the semi final. I think he generally loved at Forest but they know he needs time and I think if he remains injury free he will be good next season. Sangare still seems slow to me. He can tackle and pass but I would rather have Yatesy playing against Brentford.

We were too passive against Citeh and were terrible in the first half. Anderson didn't look comfortable on the wing and on another day in the second half we would have scoredat least 2. Need to be super aggresiive against Brentford Thursday. These slow starts against good oppoosition (villa, Newcastle, Citeh) is annoying me. Good for the throat Nuno!

As for our Debutant. I thought he was fine. I was mad that we weren't passing to him when he was in acres of space in the first half. If he isn't going to get the ball then don't play him. I don't blame Nuno, I blame the other players for not trusting him. If you are in 11. you should be there with Merit.

Toffs was fine again. He held his own. Cannot ask for more whilst Ola is rehabbing. I am concerned he might not be ready for the last few games when we need him. Maybe offer him that bloody contract and get it signed and he doesn't become a Kelvin Wilson. Not that he seems the type.


So many thoughts.


Chicago: Reaching for the thinking cap.

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I bet Peps face lit up when he saw no Elanga in our starting eleven.

[wassy04]

I bet Peps face lit up when he saw no Elanga in our starting eleven.

I imagine it was the exact opposite of my face.

I know Abbott stood out but when it was clear he was playing RB, I felt no Elanga was a much bigger issue.

We've got to get better depth in attack next year, Elanga has been so critical in the 2nd half of the year and we've just looked so much worse without him.

[zicorice]

Gutted. Great day...until 4.32pm

I think the occasion affected our lads in first half, but having watched the whole game back yesterday I am so proud of them. The second half was really good.

Unlike many, winning the FA Cup would have been my preference, but what a season we are having.

We go again.