Nottingham Forest (H) | Post Match Thread

Much better performance all round - it was great to see our attack functioning with the return of KDB, Grealish & Doku.

Grealish central against Forest man to man was great, he carried the ball and caused a lot of danger. It was refreshing to see him doing that. He has played a vital role in supporting the team out wide, but centrally it allowed him to showcase that ability.

I think the players also benefitted from more attacking freedom, which did mean a few turnovers centrally leading to some Forest breaks, but on balance it allowed us to create 6 or 7 brilliant chances. Forest left Wood & Elanga high throughout and were direct.

Doku yet again turned both full backs inside out (impressive given Ola Aina is highly regarded) and took his goal well. He just needs more of an understanding with Haaland, who often attacks the back post for crosses, whilst Doku will play low to the front post. Doku is a right footed winger played on the left - it's easier to fire in near post using the right rather than dink with the weaker foot.

I do understand the frustration with Gundo and clear lack of physicality, but he is the only player that can currently play that deepest role and correctly distribute the ball under pressure. It was fundamental, especially when Forest shifted to 523 and pressed hard at the start of the second half. It was pleasing to see us control the tempo of the game in the latter stages, far better than Feyenoord.
 
TBF we still had too many errors in defensive midfield area and were lucky not to concede goals..

Last season our main strength was that even though upfront many were injured or out of form, etc. we were so fucking solid in defensive midfield, midfield and defensive areas that 1 or 2 goals were enough to finish the games and continue the marathon.

plus we were saving so much energy via not loosing the ball in our third, midfield third and even when we were loosing the balls in the final third, our pressing and defenders / midfielders (mainly Rodri) were recovering it in a few seconds.

So our defenders weren't exposed that much.

That's why we need at least someone type of Zubimendi or other one at least playing at above average level, so that we could bring stability in those vital two thirds of the pitch and upfront we have so many talented players in Haaland, KDB, Foden, Doku, Savio, Bobb, Grealish, Bernardo, etc. that in each game if any of them is in good form and does things on the pitch he is able to do, we will start winning games like we used to during the past 4 seasons.

But Txiki is an obvious culprit here. We had one position where we were the most vulnerable and he didn't do anything. We somehow decided to risk and appeared in this difficult situation...
 
DATOIA said:
TBF we still had too many errors in defensive midfield area and were lucky not to concede goals..

Last season our main strength was that even though upfront many were injured or out of form, etc. we were so fucking solid in defensive midfield, midfield and defensive areas that 1 or 2 goals were enough to finish the games and continue the marathon.

plus we were saving so much energy via not loosing the ball in our third, midfield third and even when we were loosing the balls in the final third, our pressing and defenders / midfielders (mainly Rodri) were recovering it in a few seconds.

So our defenders weren't exposed that much.

That's why we need at least someone type of Zubimendi or other one at least playing at above average level, so that we could bring stability in those vital two thirds of the pitch and upfront we have so many talented players in Haaland, KDB, Foden, Doku, Savio, Bobb, Grealish, Bernardo, etc. that in each game if any of them is in good form and does things on the pitch he is able to do, we will start winning games like we used to during the past 4 seasons.

But Txiki is an obvious culprit here. We had one position where we were the most vulnerable and he didn't do anything. We somehow decided to risk and appeared in this difficult situation...
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When a guy plays over 70 games in a season, it is tempting to think he is indestructible. Also, Pep has said there was a plan to play Akanje as DM with Stones but injuries disrupted that. I think Akanje would make a decent DM.
 
mcfcbill91 said:
, especially when Forest shifted to 523 and pressed hard at the start of the second half. It was pleasing to see us control the tempo of the game in the latter stages, far better than Feyenoord.
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that cant be true ssn just said forest weren't arsed last night and brought inferior players on early as big game at weekend
 
KS55 said:
When a guy plays over 70 games in a season, it is tempting to think he is indestructible. Also, Pep has said there was a plan to play Akanje as DM with Stones but injuries disrupted that. I think Akanje would make a decent DM.
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Akanji as a DM ?

Last season we played something like that against Aston Villa when Rodri had red card, so it was a very very bad game :D
 
We just needed a win to get confidence up , we cant sort out what was wrong in one game , but it is a good start , hopefully kev can stay fit and we can use him for that spark, he made a huge difference

Onwards and upwards
 
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