Only A Draw But Plenty of Positives For McLeish

Well despite what many were claiming when we were behind on Twitter and Facebook, this side and performance had little to do with Alex McLeish, the new Forest manager. The team had been chosen by Rob Kelly and Jimmy Hasselbaink, and although McLeish had attended training he’d left it largely to his existing backroom staff to look after the team as he evaluated what he had.

Formation and team v Palace

The team itself was largely what we played against Leeds. There was an enforced changed with Hutton being out ill, so Harding came in at left back, and Halford back to right back. Losing the marauding runs Hutton had made would be a loss, but the team as a whole was the same side and structure that had played so well particularly in that second half against Leeds.

But like versus Leeds we went behind, to a goal that was very similar to the goal Leeds had scored. Turning out to be a simple finish in the area after poor defensive work left the striker free and players committed. 

If that seemed to mimic the Leeds game so did the timing of our equaliser. Reid netting a wonderful 20 or so yarder that flew in. A wonderful goal. And similarly to Leeds we went in at the break after dominating a period of the match and looked on top. Silencing vocal away support in the process.

The second half though wouldn’t see such a persistent period of domination and most importantly goals like the Leeds game did. It had chances; yes we went close with a few chances. Closest came Collins with a header which was turned over by Speroni turning in his annual wonder appearance against Forest. I don’t see Speroni every week, but he can’t be this good every time otherwise Palace would be the Champions of the Universe if he was. He also made a very good save from a deflected shot, completely having to alter his position mid dive and turn the ball round the post. 

And because this game had been so finely poised and with Forest doing perhaps the slightly harder knocking on the door of course Palace went up the other end and scored what looked like it could be a winner. It had more than an element of luck. It seemed more a hopeful jab at a ball in midair that saw the ball come to him, but with decent invention from this chance Murray headed it high over Camp and into the back of the net.

It looked like it might beat us, and as fans started to trickle out the ground it looked like being one of those days. A lot of toil for no result, but lo and behold up stepped the new King Billy. After a looping ball up was flicked on by Blackstock, Sharp got in, and put his first effort against the post, but was able to score at the second attempt and give Forest what they deserved for their efforts.

I think a win for either team may have been harsh. So to claim the share of the spoils was certainly as I say fair. Palace have said they could and should have won according to Holloway, but I think that’s overlooking the evenness of the game with most of it perched on a knife edge.

All in all though there was a lot to please. For one we didn’t roll over accept a late defeat, we kept going to the end and got the goal. Furthermore we created a wide variety of chances with efforts coming from all over the team. The usual defensive lapses were there but there was some quality blocking at the back as well. We are definitely one or two key signings from a complete unit. And if McLeish can get those signings then we will be in an extremely good position. 

A word for the much maligned Dan Harding as well who I also think marshalled Wilfried Zaha very well, and eventually saw the highly rated winger off and replaced.

At Least Derby Can't End Another Unbeaten Run

So, we lost the unbeaten run at long last this weekend in Leeds, although it had looked likely the Tuesday before. Back to back away games have yielded a point and that point was a bit smash and grab.
That said we nearly could have gotten more out of two games we struggled to start in, and gave ourselves just too much to do to get the win (much like my own self in a Triathlon this weekend, but that’s another matter)

Dexter Blackstock celebrates scoring equaliser v Palace

Palace remains a relatively happy hunting ground for us; the point we got meaning we have a run of results there now which shows Selhurst Park is barely a fortress. Leeds however is a very mixed ground for Forest. We either get screwed over like 2 years ago, destroy them, like last year, or merely do a classic Forest where we fall behind, briefly rally, but ultimately fail.

It has seen Dexter Blackstock sneak his way up the goal scoring ranks with 2 strikes in 2 games for a player looking like he could be left on the brink, sidelined for Cox and Sharp to take the first two striker spots. It’s a great response. Rather than sulk, or disappear into the shadows, Dexter has rallied and this means he stays in the managers thoughts.

The fact that against Place we had to come back with 10 men after Guedioura was sent off made it feel better than what it might have been. Against Leeds Lansbury made his debut. There are positives in there, there are also distinct negatives, namely the face we are shipping goals, be it 1 or 2, they add up, and turn wins to draws and draws to defeats.

It also brings us back to earth, we aren’t going to walk this division and there are more than capable teams out there. Reality is back. And the knowledge that there will be bad days. That the 2 season approach the al-Hasawis has taken may be the best option, maybe the only choice. These players are relatively new to each other still. So mistakes will sneak in, misunderstandings will occur. It takes months to get that footballer telepathy happening.

Derby end a previous unbeaten run

The face we aren’t alone as well in losing unbeaten records so speaks volumes. This division is competitive. Look at Barnsley beating Birmingham 5-0 at St Andrews. Unexpected but underlines the fact anyone can do anyone on their day here.

Of course up next is the small matter of Derby, and by god won’t we just hear about the fact they only had 10 men. I expect at least 20 renditions to be sung, sadly predictable. Hopefully though we give them another tonking to send them back with their tails between their legs. It should be more than possible, this is a weaker Derby team than I have seen for a while.

Majestic Majewski Fires Forest to Brink of Survival.

Forest have given themselves a huge shot in the arm towards survival this season with a wonderful hat trick from Radoslaw Majewski. The previously much maligned Majewski that is, and I as much as anyone has been a harsh critic of the Polish midfielder.
It seems now that Steve Cotterill has now found a suitable role for Majewski and will be looking to utilise him in this role effectively. This free role behind the striker but free from many of the normal midfield responsibilities plays to the strengths of Radi. He is not and will never been an effective midfield partner due to his lightweight nature and can’t tackle very well at all, when he tries.

Pushing him into a role which leaves Blackstock alone up front can be frustrating formation as it leaves the striker often exiled on his own up front. This is however why it is mostly used away, and it means we got bodies back. But then it works best when you have McCleary and Guedioura in the midfield as well, as these players initial thought upon gaining possession is to charge forward and counter attack at speed. The perfect away game style. Reidy too is there to support in an attacking context. It leaves the likes of Moussi to play their defensive midfielder role without having to have much in the way of thought to supporting the more attacking aspects.

Not quite in the Deschamps water carrier role, but more a de Jong type destroyer, not without his attacking responsibilities mind. Finally the midfield has balance and shape it lacked before. Greening couldn't play these roles effectively and McGugan can’t seem to motivate himself to play the Radi role, (which he was clearly earmarked for, hence the no.10 shirt) which Cotterill had tried him in earlier. Neither Radi nor McGugan make effective wide men, as it’s not their position. McCleary and Reid are wingers through and through so they can play it well. Even last year when we played well we had Anderson on one wing and often had to use Cohen on the other. Cohen would play this role in a Gudeioura role, although maybe not as effectively.



It came to bare wonderfully at Selhurst Park, where we ran out winners against Palace in a game up which that point looked finely balanced. Majewski was able to roam around and that’s why his goals came from all 3 sides. His first from the left wing, where he cut inside and lashed home, his second a centrally curved shot and his third came from the right hand side. This alone illustrates the new freedom this has given him and how he can now play. Before hand playing in a midfield duo in the middle simple didn't get the best from him as his defensive side had to be included so you lost an effective body in the middle which invited the opposition on.
Consider as well that oppositions have been focussing on stopping McCleary has he was the form man and it freed up even more space for the rest of the midfield and in particular Majewski.

Now with him freed up and Guedioura and Moussi playing the deeper role it allows more freedom. It is very much a style de rigeur at the moment. Using amore advance midfielder as support with attacking wide men, not too dissimilar from many of the top sides in Europe. It took time for us to get the right bodies to play it. Blackstock, the perfect foil to hold the ball up, in a way Tudgay and Miller haven’t been able, and certainly not Derbyshire. It has also bought the best out McCleary encouraged to rampage forward more and not worry as much with covering his full back as now we have two deeper sitting midfielders to cover that role. Reidy has been given more freedom too.

So all those who have suggested that it shows Cotterill was wrong. Well no, it illustrates the fact that as he said, he had a disjointed squad. He couldn’t play players where he wanted to play. When Gunter gets put on the right, we lose some of that verve we have with G-Mac in the team. The final piece in this puzzle was getting Majewski fit and driven and having a fully fit Blackstock back. This has all happened perfectly on schedule to bring us to the brink of survival and has shown that yes, we do have a good enough squad.

There were and are still lapses that stop us being a very good team. The defence still not off and allow other teams to attack. Thankfully this was mostly after we had the lead at Palace but they still had chances at 0-0 that might have seen a different result. Many had discussed removing Radi at half time apparently, putting on a more recognised striker. The problem with a sole striker is that the onus on him to win possession from long punts means more often than not the ball starts coming back, with the packed midfield though, there are more bodies to win in and cut passes out and starts the attack from there. A second striker to help win the ball doesn’t allow for that. Both systems have benefits and away from home this is proving perfect. Now we need to work at home too or another system to do so on Saturday and all but secure survival against Bristol City. Either that or home fans recognise that we don’t HAVE to play 4-4-2. Footballs evolved, so do the fans perceptions.

The Gloom Deepens

When it comes to Forest I am a mostly optimistic person. I live in hope that we will ultimately turn it all round. The current run of results is trying my patience.

To be fair that result against Palace was hardly deserved, but as with a team playing badly and winning look good for promotion, a team playing well and losing is an equally ominous sign.

It wasn't a huge shock to see Palace score, but in truth they hardly had any chances. As always defensive lapses of concentration cost the reds. That said I did fear the worst anyway when Morgan had to go off injured and Moussi took up his spot in defence to replace. Considering his completely inept performance versus Leeds, it didn't bode well.

And Moussi actually played well. I wouldn’t like to see more of him there, but it did give us a defender who can kind of pass, rather the lumped ball the other two frequently offer. The bright spark though was undoubtedly McCleary who seized his chance in the team to put himself back in with a first team shout. He looked bright, dangerous, and frequently provided the best chances, but the balls into the box never met anyone. He also had a couple of decent long range efforts too for his troubles. One I wondered why is he shooting from there but it forced a good save from the now thankfully shorter haired Speroni.

The game didn't have a great deal of clear cut chances at either end. For all our better performance we didn’t really force too many saves. Blackstock could have had a fairytale return to the City Ground, but a late header by him was straight at Speroni again.

And that’s pretty much it from my memory. Save for a Lewis McGugan free kick that everyone in the ground could have predicted would go straight into the wall. Zaha for Place showed glimpses of his much vaunted skills and talent.

All in all a frustrating game. We definitely didn’t deserve to lose. In Boxing we would have certainly won on points. But that the way of Football. Unfortunately.

The form has to turn, and quickly. But then the tactics need to change. Tudgay is not the right man for the sole striker role, but then who in our ranks are? Tudgay will never be prolific. But he is capable. Blackstock coming back will add some much needed bite to the strike force. But we badly need defensive cover. It just simply isn’t up to it right now I am afraid.

Now there might be an issue with Morgan. I haven’t seen any news yet about the scan he was meant to be undergoing today, but perhaps now young Jamal Lascelles needs to get his chance to shine.

Forest Missing 6 for Crunch Palace Tie

Forest will be missing a number of players for tomorrows big game with Palace, which of course is live on Sky Sports.

Earnshaw is suspended, for having the audacity of taking a free kick, as we all know. Wilson is "injured" still, and Findley, Tyson and Lynch all have knocks and of course Dexter Blackstock is long term injured.

Paul Konchesky's loan has now expired so he has gone back to Liverpool, opening up the left back spot for Gunter to move over and allow in Maloney, or Julian Bennett to play the team he sent the first half the season on loan at. Another option is of course Chris Cohen at left back, but this is the least likely option in my opinion.

The rest of the team should pretty much pick it self. Boyd scoring for fun should keep him self in the side. The only real selection head ache is to see what happens in midfield, whether Moussi gets himself back into the team, and whether McKenna keeps his place. It could be that Davies has decided its all but decided and rests people.

That again is unlikely, as Davies has said we need to concentrate on our game rather than look at what Leeds are doing against QPR.