Next Few Games

[Strawberry Avenger]

it doesn't work that way for Forest or in the Championship.

It's opportunity for points.  If the Coach gets his tactics right.  If Forest are solid.  If Forest take their chances.

The recent run demonstrates it's all about what happens on the day.

IF Sow stays fit.  He made all the difference vs Hull.  'Should' Forest get '12' points from those games if he doesn't play...?  The previous run suggests Forest have missed him and need further reinforcement.

SA.

SA coming Wednesday is thd 1st of January  by then two games of the five would have been played...two home games that we should have enough to win them both. For the other three we should have addressed our deficiencies by signing at least two quality players, so helping us to capitalize on three reasonable easy fixtures. We cannot keep throwing points away...we threw away more then enough...notably the two late draws of late nd the defeat v Huddersfield... that we should have at least got a point of ...that is 5 points ...nd I m not even looking further back the season...

Aye.  What we hope for and what we achieve remain to be seen.

I remain hopeful, Maltared.

The key is addressing our home form (we need to) and holding the away form.  ie.  Becoming consistent.  The last 7 before Hull were shocking.  The worst form in the top 9?

Here's hoping Hull remains a turning point.  We neutralised their two best players and proved a point.  Especially our Coach who showed he aint stupid and that he knows what he's doing but the players have got to step up and do this every game.

Forest have thrown away enough points to see them 3rd or 2nd. Against 'easy' teams which has been, well, rather annoying. Frustrating. Or 'beatable' teams if you have top 6 aspirations.

A top 6 is possible if Sow stays fit.  I remain less convinced without him. Yes, Malta. It's the midfield, AGAIN! Reinforcements are necessary to maintain the top 6 and have the potency to chase Leeds for 2nd. DCM, Winger. Striker. Bare minimum. Two strikers would be prudent...and a more dominant ACM who holds up and presses play and offers guile of delivery. Power. Pace. Guile.

A home win is essential.  I'm just looking at the Wigan game and thinking, it's about time we beat one of the bottom 3 sides.  And not bottling it.  

That we 'give it to Wigan' with or without lubrication.

SA.

[zicorice]

I know our home form has not been great but what an opportunity we have now.

Our next 5 games are against Wigan, Blackburn, Reading, Luton and Reading again.

Four of them are at home with the first game against Reading our only away game.

What a chance to kick on...Lets hope we grab it with both hands.

A team chasing nd believing that is promotion material, should win those games...all of them..especially having four of them at home...

So you are saying we should be winning 6 on the bounce, probably without our key midfielder and on the back of a winless streak of 5 games.

I admire your optimism. I'd take 10 points from 5 games happily and that would still be top 6 form, especially on back of Boxing day.

[Strawberry Avenger]

I know our home form has not been great but what an opportunity we have now.

Our next 5 games are against Wigan, Blackburn, Reading, Luton and Reading again.

Four of them are at home with the first game against Reading our only away game.

What a chance to kick on...Lets hope we grab it with both hands.

A team chasing nd believing that is promotion material, should win those games...all of them..especially having four of them at home...

So you are saying we should be winning 6 on the bounce, probably without our key midfielder and on the back of a winless streak of 5 games.

I admire your optimism. I'd take 10 points from 5 games happily and that would still be top 6 form, especially on back of Boxing day.

I'd take out the word 'should.'  It's presumptuous.  Better to wish or hope or even dream of such things.

Focus on one game at a time.  Focus on what needs to be done vs Wigan who we lost to last time.  (Was that the start of our run of games without Sow?)  

A good performance.  Creating chances.  Taking our chances.  Supply Grabban with better crosses.  Be solid at the back.  Keep Sow in CM.  

IF we can do all that and get back to the earlier form of this season, then Forest have a good chance of winning.

But that list of teams mentioned above? Forest's recent form against them has been patchy at best...and not all together convincing. eg. I'll be pleasantly surprised if Forest can pull of wins vs Wigan and Blackburn (perennial bogey side...)

Winning 6 on the bounce would be nice...but have we got any evidence of that happening this season?  Without Sow?

Forest haven't been consistent enough of late or with their home form.  Can we play counter attacking at home.  i.e. do what 'we' do away?

SA.

[Maltared]

Agree with SA, it's always a game at a time, but you cannot go into games thinking that 10 points out 15 is good.
With whom we are going to loose points? You can try to guess but not sure, we won points against teams that we thought we never stood z chance to get any nx we lost points against teams that we thought were a banker.
So we always have to target to win all points from each game, nd not say , it's ok to get a draw against this team as long as we win against the other...we r not that good ... at present its seems only Liverpool can go in nd win all games...no matter who the adversaries are.

[Duncan Mckenzie]

A promotion chasing side really should be taking at least 12 points from those 5 games.

Yep, you're right. And a run like that would have us firmly in 3rd place. One of those is our game in hand.

Hopefully our squad will also be boosted with a couple of quality signings.

January feels like a massive month both on and off the pitch.

[Dog and Bear]

I know our home form has not been great but what an opportunity we have now.

Our next 5 games are against Wigan, Blackburn, Reading, Luton and Reading again.

Four of them are at home with the first game against Reading our only away game.

What a chance to kick on...Lets hope we grab it with both hands.

It feels like a defining moment in the season. January is a huge month for us.

[zicorice]

Agree with SA, it's always a game at a time, but you cannot go into games thinking that 10 points out 15 is good.
With whom we are going to loose points? You can try to guess but not sure, we won points against teams that we thought we never stood z chance to get any nx we lost points against teams that we thought were a banker.
So we always have to target to win all points from each game, nd not say , it's ok to get a draw against this team as long as we win against the other...we r not that good ... at present its seems only Liverpool can go in nd win all games...no matter who the adversaries are.

I'm a big believer in one game at a time. Anything can happen in this league. In our really difficult run of games where most of our games were against top team we did well (top of the league at one point) but copped a couple of injuries. Then the run of supposedly weaker sides has seen us drop out of top 6. Losing against Wigan I seem to remember unexpectedly......who are we playing tomorrow?  No team can be taken lightly in this division. No one is that bad and most of the rest are not that good.
A return of 2 points per game regardless of where the points are dropped is promotion form...

[Deberg]

The win at hull couldn’t have come at a better time. A real platform for the next 5 games. Still can’t get my head around our turn in forms away from home. Feels like we’ve had poor away form for the last 20 years!!!

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I know our home form has not been great but what an opportunity we have now.

Our next 5 games are against Wigan, Blackburn, Reading, Luton and Reading again.

Four of them are at home with the first game against Reading our only away game.

What a chance to kick on...Lets hope we grab it with both hands.

It feels like a defining moment in the season. January is a huge month for us.

A massive massive month both on and off the pitch.

[Strawberry Avenger]

Agree with SA, it's always a game at a time, but you cannot go into games thinking that 10 points out 15 is good.
With whom we are going to loose points? You can try to guess but not sure, we won points against teams that we thought we never stood z chance to get any nx we lost points against teams that we thought were a banker.
So we always have to target to win all points from each game, nd not say , it's ok to get a draw against this team as long as we win against the other...we r not that good ... at present its seems only Liverpool can go in nd win all games...no matter who the adversaries are.

Unless Forest bringing in another 5 higher quality players there is no 'should.'  Merely the 'chance' they might win if they perform well.

Football in the Championship is 1 game at a time.  Few teams manage to win six in a row.  It's up and down.  It's been a while since Forest have been an overwhelming force.  Campbell and Pierre?  They could do with another striker to keep Grabban company, share the load.

Wigan.  In recent times, Forest have struggled against Wigan.  Can anyone remember a time where we beat them convincingly..?  To add insult.  They've been in the Premier more recently and managed to stay there.  

Having confidence is one thing.  You have to have self belief.  But Forest should put that into the performances.  Not say 'We should beat these...'  Focus on earning the right.  Performing well.  They were believing their own hype when it was only a matter of time before the loss of Sow would take it's toll.  ie.  A DCM of a mid 30s Watson and rookie recruit Yates was going to be touch and go to maintain a top 6 place and eventually Forest gave way to 9th.

Nathan Tyson is playing for Mansfield, now.  Random fact.

As for the old enemy.  They've waited 30 years for a title and most of that wait, we've been out the Premier on the great exodus.

Yes.  You have to target a win but put that energy into playing your best....not thinking 'it's in the bag' (which the 'should' presumes.) Forest have been taking their performances for granted of late and it showed in the results. You have to earn the right against Wigan as well as the 'top' teams (of which there are quite a few in the Championship.)

I think Forest's progress against the likes of Wigan (and other 'bottom' teams or other teams in the Championship) is inextricably linked to Sow (don't quite have enough imposing players of his nature in the team who can intimidate and dominate and penetrate the opposition. He has that raw aggression and quality to back it up.) And if can't be relied upon through injury. Then recruitment in January is essential to have that base covered.

SA.

[Joe Baker Legend]

WBAFC v NFFC moved for TV. Still on Sat 15th Feb, now with a 12.30pm kick-off...

[Strawberry Avenger]

I hope we have Sow fit, a new winger and striker eg. Gayle so we can really put the boot into WBA so that we can out gun them.

A bit more physicality, energy and pace to boss them. Oh to close that gap on them.

We owe them.

SA.