Nottingham Forest (H) | PL | Post Match Thread

[ysmsa]

Still don’t think the league is quite done - yet - but we’re not going to win it like that.

Thought we played quite well for an hour and looked comfortable but we can’t keep doing nothing with 80%-90% possession and then getting done on the counter. Guehi and Dias looked like a wall until the goal, then suddenly we looked vulnerable every time they came forward.

Flat back 5 and getting away with playing rugby with Haaland though - what can you do about that if the refs don’t do their job? Ref tonight copped out of big decisions repeatedly and left it to VAR, who as usual did nothing.

Savinho on for Cherki was borderline criminality, and Foden needs a long long break until he’s mentally and physically ready to be involved because we just don’t have the space for passengers.

I love this, absolutely spot on.

 

[cityblue123]

I have to be honest. It’s all a bit boring to watch now. Once upon a time we could pass it about, open defences with slick passing and we had quality right through the team. Problem is we’ve been spoiled with the de Bryne, yaya aguero tevez silva,Komps and many more who gave us fantastic entertainment. If anybody expects this team to give us the glory days again with this lot you’re gonna be disappointed. No matter how much effort, blood, sweat you can never replace class. It’s impossible to fill the boots of not that long ago!

 

[roach3]

i could tell within 10 minutes the way the game was going to pan out.
walking sideways football that i actually thought id seen the end of has returned.
where the fuck do you start with that shitshow of a performance.
three standout problems for me was foden haaland and dias.
i see phils comfort bandage is back unless he has some injury ive not heard about but last few games he was without it. the poor lad looks done, his brain is telling him one thing his body does the opposite absolute terrible performance from him and pep should have put him out of his misery at the break.
i was watching big earl in that first half and within minutes he was sulking dropped shoulders and some of the time walking about with his back to the play.after every stoppage he just walked back or near to the penalty area.
unless pep has instructed him he looked half arsed at best. the other week he was everywhere on the pitch so fuck knows whats going on there. and finally dias, i can count on one hand the number of forward passes all game it was just the usual get the ball look up count to 5 then pass to the nearest player usually to the side.
not one forest fan thought they would get anything tonight and were hoping to keep the score down.
the less said about the game management and officiating the better.
rebuild you say? we are fucking miles off and only a shit premier league has us anywhere near.

 

[ysmsa]

They don't even pretend to look at our pen appeals. Any against us and game stops ten mins and FBI brought in to forensically check all angles.

Thought that, although they seemed to find a shit load of time to look at our perfectly legit goal before restarting the game.

 

[ninjamonkey]

I am sure that this has already been mentioned but the three draws at home in 2026 have cost us big time. Each one has been due to us not being able to not finish teams off when we had the opportunities to do so.
On a side note finally glad to see the first league goal scored at the North Stand end in 2026!

I'd say it's less about not being able to finish off teams and more a lack of desire to push for the extra goal and being all too willing to play keep ball with little intention of doing anything else the second we go ahead. The instant change in mentality is what lets teams back in so often. You can't just drop 2 gears and stroll it, we frankly aren't good enough and we cannot get going again once we need to.

 

[Marvin.]

Still don’t think the league is quite done - yet - but we’re not going to win it like that.

Thought we played quite well for an hour and looked comfortable but we can’t keep doing nothing with 80%-90% possession and then getting done on the counter. Guehi and Dias looked like a wall until the goal, then suddenly we looked vulnerable every time they came forward.

Flat back 5 and getting away with playing rugby with Haaland though - what can you do about that if the refs don’t do their job? Ref tonight copped out of big decisions repeatedly and left it to VAR, who as usual did nothing.

Savinho on for Cherki was borderline criminality, and Foden needs a long long break until he’s mentally and physically ready to be involved because we just don’t have the space for passengers.

You are being very generous imo. This was a critical game. I expected City to give it all we had. We absolutely did not.

 

[roach3]

Just got back from the match and reading some very OTT reaction.

I have never thought we would be good enough to win the title this year and didn’t get carried away after the last few wins.

We are in transition and have made some progress from the ‘fall off the cliff ‘ team of last season, however we still lack some real quality, especially in Midfield….I’m sure Anderson would be a good addition btw.

Sad to see Foden struggling…..he is no longer a game changer and he doesn't get into the side when everyone is fit.

For all the flack Savinho has come in for on today’s thread, I thought he looked ok when he came on and at least was able to beat his man.

It would be a totally different match thread had we grabbed the winner right at the end….small margins !

I think 4 in a row has spoilt some people who have become very entitled !

dunno bout that mate its always about the performance for me and weve seen this type of performance way too many times, we just dont learn.

 

[TueartsCossackSpray]

I have to be honest. It’s all a bit boring to watch now. Once upon a time we could pass it about, open defences with slick passing and we had quality right through the team. Problem is we’ve been spoiled with the de Bryne, yaya aguero tevez silva,Komps and many more who gave us fantastic entertainment. If anybody expects this team to give us the glory days again with this lot you’re gonna be disappointed. No matter how much effort, blood, sweat you can never replace class. It’s impossible to fill the boots of not that long ago!

Pretty correct but the other teams are not that great either which gives us a chance. I reckon we still have around a 35% chance of winning the league

 

[KirkhamBlue62]

Why did we start playing a lot quicker last 5 mins and then injury time why not be like that earlier in the game ..

Exactly right. Walking football, especially when a goal up each time, inviting them to nick the ball off us and equalise.
We are pretty boring to watch, and no desire or fight, until the last 5 minutes of panic. We have no idea how to pressure a team. Mentality is shocking. Set off at 4.30, pay parking, food, get home at 11.30. Thanks City. What a great night, you guys couldn’t be bothered most of the match. And then everyone wonders why the ground will be half empty.

 

[makinghistory]

We just are far too easy to get points off ? We don't have a winning mentality
The title was not lost tonight, it was handed on a plate to Arsenal and that is what hurts.

Ok, maybe we are not ready and this team should be a long way out off the race for the title, but giving points away at home is a real killer and sometimes you have to blame the manager and the setup, We don't go for the kill anymore and we struggle to hurt teams because the ball is stuck in midfield and passed to death.

Haaland should be asking where is the service ? crossing it ? i dont think one single cross when it to Haaland until it was far too late, also again Pep and making his subs far to late

You know what, all the haters tonight blaming Foden need to look at the manager and it's Pep that played him and then bypassed him by hiding the play in midfield ? Pep setup doesn't attack enough to hurt teams. he wants control of the ball and then hides it by going side to side then back to the defenders.

Tonight, Pep knew this was over and waved the white flag and said to Arsenal well done on winning the title
Many have said earlier in the season that Pep just lets the games go far too easily and doesn't have anything to offer in the changes until it to late,

Also, what I saw coming from Haaland's mouth at the end is going to be a big problem in the dressing room ? He was not happy with Pep and his attacking setup. Haaland should be bagging a hatful of goals, but instead he's struggling to even have a clear-cut chance

Haaland has lost his 2 biggest assist players. KDB and Foden at his best. You dont become a bad player overnight. Dont blame him for being frustrated. The bottom line is we dont turn over teams anymore bc we dont have the quality we used to have. Our game now is just make sure we score 1 goal more than the opposition then manage the game. It has worked a lot of the time but not others incl tonight.

 

[Keepingthefaithsince1976]

We're seven points behind Arsenal now, we can't affect the momentum unless Arsenal collapse .... and it's gonna take MORE than beating them at the Etihad to do that !

Not really..they draw a game & we beat them, we win our game in hand & we're top. Not an impossible scenario by any means.

 

[eyalluvitt]

Fair enough for asking for them. Neither were pens though. Pure desperation if anyone thinks they were.

All decisions are subjective, I just think the refs play 1980s rules for us sometimes yet other teams get free kicks and penalties for minimal contact again and again.

 

[citymad]

i could tell within 10 minutes the way the game was going to pan out.
walking sideways football that i actually thought id seen the end of has returned.
where the fuck do you start with that shitshow of a performance.
three standout problems for me was foden haaland and dias.
i see phils comfort bandage is back unless he has some injury ive not heard about but last few games he was without it. the poor lad looks done, his brain is telling him one thing his body does the opposite absolute terrible performance from him and pep should have put him out of his misery at the break.
i was watching big earl in that first half and within minutes he was sulking dropped shoulders and some of the time walking about with his back to the play.after every stoppage he just walked back or near to the penalty area.
unless pep has instructed him he looked half arsed at best. the other week he was everywhere on the pitch so fuck knows whats going on there. and finally dias, i can count on one hand the number of forward passes all game it was just the usual get the ball look up count to 5 then pass to the nearest player usually to the side.
not one forest fan thought they would get anything tonight and were hoping to keep the score down.
the less said about the game management and officiating the better.
rebuild you say? we are fucking miles off and only a shit premier league has us anywhere near.

Good post and unfortunately a reality check in that last sentence.

 

[SSBlue]

Supporting City is like having a beautiful girlfriend who's fantastic in bed and amazing to be with, but is also moody as hell, costs a small fortune on dates and then stands you up.

 

[citymad]

Some good posts tonight and few reality checks on where we are as an elite team.

 

[mike1923]

Not normally a Savinho hater, but felt like he was hiding on the right wing when he came on. Getting himself so far to the touchline he wasn’t going to get the ball. And doing fuck all when he did

Doku was shite too

Very frustrating

 

[ysmsa]

Our game hugely disappointing, but getting in the car and hearing how Arse have shithoused to 3 points, then Rags playing against 10 (again) as a Newcastle player was sent off for simulation (second yellow), YCMIU
(Simulation when playing the biggest bunch of diving cheats, piss take).

Tonight just seems like a night where everything went against us and went for Arse.

Arse were desperately lucky to win that, have you seen their shit goal.

We dominated but had a few terrible individual performances yet draw to 2 ridiculously good goals, and missed a couple of fucking sitters of our own.

Not over yet but Foden and Nunes can not be allowed to play that badly again, and Savinho should be nowhere near a crucial game.

 

[St Helens Blue (Exiled)]

People need to wake up.
Incipid,lack of tempo and another piss poor performance in the 2nd half.
Arsenal wont drop any more points in the league now.
I'm gonna.go out on a limb here and say if someone wants to buy Foden then I would have to consider. Poor for nearly. 2 seasons now.
Semenyo, Cherki and Dias were the standouts. Otherwise.shite all over

 

[Berti No Show]

I thought we played quite well overall, created chances and dominated much of the play, but Nottingham Forest were ruthlessly clinical.

The decision to substitute Cherki puzzled me as he was a constant threat, always capable of unlocking defenses, scoring or delivering that decisive assist.

As for the officiating, it was frankly abysmal. The Erling Haaland incident in the box was a stonewall penalty. He was clearly impeded while rounding the keeper - what else was he supposed to do in that split second moment? It's frustrating when such clear decisions go against us most weeks.

That said, I'd still rather finish second playing the football we do - trying to win games on the front foot than lift the title through cynical means and lose the admiration of neutrals and rivals alike.

Deep down, it must sting for them to see the conversation revolve less around brilliance and more around gamesmanship. Success without admiration can feel strangely hollow and for a club with Arsenal’s history and tradition, that disconnect may be more painful than it appears on the surface.

Ah well, onward we go. The season's not over yet. MCFC.

 

[Blue2112]

About month ago we went 3-0 up against Fulham in the first half and the second half was absolutely one of the most boring 45mins ive seen a Pep side play, with a complete lack of interest in doing anything other than passing it around. Lots of people said it was great game management blah blah blah. But this complacency and lethargy creeps in and you just can't turn it back on unless you have world class players like in the past. That second half against Fulham should have been a wake up call but we learnt nothing. Lets hope tonight we do.