Showing posts with label Leeds United. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Leeds United. Show all posts

Monday, December 30, 2013

Twitter Idiots: Festive Special

Its been too long since I did a round up of the stupid crap people blurt out on Twitter in the heat of the moment, or just stupidity in general from fans deluded enough to think their psychotic views speak for the rest of us, but it's been a bumper few days.

Lets start with my favourite tweets of the whole previous Christmas period. Step forward mr Joey Barton.



Not sure if you know the rules Joey, judging by the fact you were suspended and your previous track record with officials it definitely suggests you don't, but assistants flag doesn't stop play. I was told from a very young age that you play to the whistle... But hey ho, don;t let trivialities get in the way.

Like these following QPR fans who need to go and revise the offside law. Realise that we aren't cheats if the ref let it go, and basically to stop being bitter sore kids.




And I just enjoy this pre game tweet for the simple fact you look like a mug now.




Onto the Leeds game, I am trying to make sense of this tweet.



Yes we do cheer a Derbyshire goal against Leeds, because he's a Forest player scoring against you, which isn't remotely similar to a rival team scoring against you. If your going to try and look clever on word play, then I suggest you might want to rethink strategy.



Unlucky not to get a point? You what? You were poxy to get that goal. Admittedly they say weere the best team but to think a lucky late goals mean you were unlucky is laughable.

And Leeds official Twitter feed is embarassing
Harsh? Harsh? Oh behave


The Hannah Section

Yeah I'mn just going to hand over a section to the insanity she drops out.




Followed a few days later by this. And remember she stands by that opinion.



Brilliant.

Anyway, I tried to trawl through the Leeds feed to find embarassing tweets about them deserving being level but they never had a chance to type one out. They're usually that deluded.

We hope to reprise this more next season, but the main idiotic posters have stopped Tweeting Forest stuff these days

Derbyshire Wonder Strike Seals Deserved Win

It was harder to obtain that it really should have been as we bossed the game, but Nottingham Forest have an unlikely hero to thank for scoring the winner against Leeds yesterday in a game that should have been long tied up.

Step forward the much maligned Matt Derbyshire, so much of the periphery of not just the Forest squad but even this game when he was introduced for Abdoun. And i heartily mean that, when we brought Cox on for Mackie we had wanted them to bring Derbyshire back off, as the touches he had made in the 15 mins or so previously could probably be counted on one hand.

But no, that means nothing and what do I know. He was saving it all up to crush Leeds hearts and give Forest that deserved win. He got the ball around 30 yards out, went forward a few yards and from around 20 or so yards lashed home a strike Paddy Kenny had no hope of stopping.

One minute previously Forest fans were in the proverbial dumps. Leeds had equalised, and they looked like getting something out of a game they deserved nothing from. The goal itself perfectly illustrated it, a scrappy ugly goal, after Byram squared and Lascelles managed to get there first, but cleared straight at Darlow who deflected the ball straight to McCormack who scored the goal. It was almost a comedy of errors. Lascelles did everything right getting back and clearing, he was concentrating on the ball, and of course Darlow would would also try and help, but between them the highly rated youngsters inadvertently set up McCormack. Leeds levelled for a minute.

Previously of course we'd bossed it, from Halfords goal early on from a Reid free kick, and a word on Reid, whom everything went through in the team. So much of a fulcrum for the team that Leeds in typical fashion get trying to nobble him to take out or creative outlet. Everything went through the Irishman, and he dictated the play beautifully. Reid's free kick bent to the back post and Halford rose highest and nodded home past stricken Kenny, who was carrying a knock from early on (and if we as first thought was faking it, it was an elaborate long term act)

Reid also should have had a goal, when his range effort shortly before Leeds goal hit the outside of the post. We had other good efforts from Majewski and Abdoun at various moments.

Reid dictated play, but him and Lansbury ran midfield, with Mackie chasing anything and everything, and Abdoun putting in another performance (even if there were a few silly errors again) with the central defenders being towering. A good all round team performance and deserving of the 3 points.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

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.

Sunday, March 25, 2012

Leeds Celebratory Wallpaper


Designed by our own Nagash off the Forum

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Seventh Heaven


Ok, so we all know the result from last night. We all know we trounced Leeds, that Garath McCleary turned in yet another head turning performance, that Neil Warnock has accepted his team were second best, and that Steve Cotterill does have a sense of humour.

All in all a wonderful night.

But I think what is more necessary to look at is how far this goes towards our survival bid. Not just the points, and the goal difference, but the huge confidence boost this will give, and the message that we are not to be messed with.

After tonight’s results the gap to the drop zone is 6 points. Coventry have taken a hard earned point v Cardiff but remain having to win 2 more games than us. Never mind there is Bristol City is also in between.

But let’s get back to the match. 7 goals. The first time this has ever been done by an away team at Elland Road, the first time we have scored 7 away goals since a game at Hillsborough that I chose to go to Field Mill to watch instead. A long time.

This night will be long remembered. Whatever we touched turned to gold or goals rather. But we did go behind remember, to a penalty given away by Guedioura. Snodgrass netted. Guedioura though more than made up for this with what was a simply incredible strike. Guedioura shot from 35 yards into the top corner. It was like an exocet. Image McGugan's goal versus Cardiff last year, cross it with the range of his free kick against Ipswich, and you’re still not quite getting a goal as good this.



McCleary then started his one man show. His goal was a finish from the corner of the area that looped over Lonergan and put the Reds in front. Considering the general consensus on the forum was that we’d snap anyone’s hands off for a point, this was amazing.

Now I admit I wasn't at the game, I’ve had a poor season getting to away games. I went downstairs to make a cup of tea at this stage. I came back upstairs and the score was 3-3.Thjis was as simply bobbins as this game was. 3-4 minutes out of the picture and you missed a whole host of things.

Firstly Blackstock had put us further ahead, and then Leeds hit straight back through Becchio. And then again with Michael Brown. My heart sank. I felt the worst. We'd bottled this opportunity and no doubt we’d lose. That’s how much of a pessimist this season has made me.

No matter, just moments later McCleary had put us back in front. Reid got in behind them crossed well, as he can do so well, and McCleary was there again to net and put the reds ahead with his second.



McCleary's next goal had a touch of the van Bastens about it, a wonderful volleyed finish. The beauty of this game was that you never had to wait a long time for something to happen for the period of time 52mins to 60mins. 5 goals. Within that a quick fire, that’s good value in anyone’s book.

It all calmed down a little from now on. 5-3 up, which was a beautiful score line as it was, which got better and better. McCleary scoring his fourth goal in time-honoured fashion for him at Elland Road. He was o right wing, cut inside his defender and shot left corner into the goal not quite as good as last seasons, but a wonderful finish nonetheless.

Dexter rounded off the most perfect of days with a good finish low down that squeezed its way in. And great rewards for the newly Antiguan striker to get a hard earned brace. And I am so pleased for him.

There is not much else we can say that can’t be said. Twitter and Facebook were alive with Forest fans in a state of disbelief. We were simply just laughing at the fact that was just so unexpected and wonderful.

Let’s just revel in it.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Back to Back Defeats....But Two Very Different Performances


The common consensus amongst the Forest fans I spoke to before this pair of games is that we thought we could get something out of them. Some fans speculated 4 points as being good, many would have settled for 3. One of two suggested we would lose both.

The truth is I don' think anyone expecting two defeats would have expected the abject performance of last night, maybe expecting that to occur more against Cardiff. Away at a high flying team, we only lost narrowly, with many suggesting we were unlucky to not get more from it.

What a difference a few days made. Leeds absolutely destroyed us. Whether somewhat influenced by the need to give Gary Speed a rousing good bye, or whether they really were at the races, what cannot be disguised is that barely anyone can come out of the game with their head held even remotely high. Maybe Joel Lynch, but then he was part of a defence that conceded 4, so perhaps not.

The man most around at me least singled out, including myself on twitter was Guy Moussi. Moussi had one of those games whereby he just looks useless. Directly responsible for two of the goals at least, but usually around the others, who was particularly woeful. The problem seems to be he can't play that deep role by himself. We are missing Paul McKenna big time in that role.

Lewis McGugan got a lot of flack, after being moved to his "prime" role, he simply didn't how nearly the requisite qualities to justify his reputation. McGugan tried flicks that didn’t work, seemed to think that instead of looking for the ball, that the ball should merely come to him. It was the performance of someone who simply was going through the motions.

The game was getting that bad that Andy Reid decided enough was enough and he'd go and take an early shower. Being on a booking he was lucky to have avoided a second yellow a few minutes before a challenge that was simply just late. He wasn't even close to the ball, it was just bad. And so bad you simply can't help to think that there’s no way he must have thought he'd get the ball.

Many would have missed that because half the ground emptied after Becchio netted Leeds third, of course one of the goals had to come from a header from a cross. It wouldn’t be Forest without that kind of goal. Hell that’s how Cardiff beat us. But the difference was at Cardiff many of us expected to be maybe turned over. The Leeds match we should have at least been competitive. Findley I don’t think once controlled a ball first time. Tudgay had one shot so hopelessly off target that I had to be told by two people that it was a shot and not him miss controlling. Miller when he came on was fill of drive, but he seemed so obsessed with scoring himself he ignored others. Both fullbacks were frequently beaten. Snodgrass beat Cunningham so often and outmuscled him.

I will admit the Howson goals was a great finish, but he had the space and time to compose such a finish. I am sat here trying to recall a good effort. Miller had a free header close in he put straight at the keeper, and McGoldrick had a smart shot turned round the post, but that’s about it. It was simply awful.

And if we play that again for much longer we will go down. I take solace in hoping that it was a one off. However, it could easily turn the fortunes downward. Heads drop. Morale affects us.

We need help and fast. We need new bodies. The current players are simply not up to scratch. We need a central defender who can also distribute the ball, and not aimlessly punt it. We need cover in the midfield that Moussi simply cannot do, at least not do consistently.

Worrying times ahead.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Dividing Opinion: Cohen's Red Card



I don't think I have seen a decision that has so wildly divided fans of the two teams in a game involving Forest for quite a while. Chris Cohen's red card versus Leeds on Saturday has seen lines drawn in the sand and there is no crossing.

Forest fans are adamant it was a fair challenge. Leeds fans insist it was a reckless dangerous challenge, and thus back Grayson that it was indeed one step below being dragged before the Hague it was so heinous in its severity.

The one thing that doesn't divide anyone is that his decision changed the game completely. That is pretty much cemented. Had Cohen been on the pitch, Howson may not have had the time to net Leeds first, and extra body in the box to get the ball or block may have denied both Gradel goals. Before the red card the match was finely balanced.

I'm not going to point fingers here suggest that Grayson et al got Cohen sent off. If there was no challenge in the first place, with a level of ambiguity about the decision then that would be largely irrelevant. Yes the fans and Grayson reacted, but they had to react to something.

And that where the point of this lies. Interpretation. Of course the fans of each different team is going to see the incident with their own set of blinkers on. I'll admit I am convinced that was never a red, had it been a Leeds man doing that challenge at City Ground? Hell, I'd have calling for a Red too. The advantage of this being on TV is that we get to see the different angles and can clearly see that it is isn't malicious as many a challenge I have seen get away with a booking this season.

Halsey was clearly unsure, he had to consult with his nose pinching assistant to ask, it appears the Lino must have thought red. Perhaps influenced by fans behind him baying for blood? Who knows. His angle of it, would have been the complete opposite of the most-used slow mo replay, and probably would have looked more reckless though. This isn't huge game in the contexts of football in a wider sense, had it been we may have Virtual Reality angles of it done from where the Ref or Linesman was.

Its on such decisions that seasons can rise or fall. Had Cohen stayed on, there is no doubt we would have performed better in the second period. We may not have won, but I think we could have got something out of this game. Cohen is not a dirty player. He's the type of young man mothers probably dream of their daughters bringing home. Not Joey Barton. He is not a malicious player and I doubt has it in him to be so. So for all the fanfare to suggest he is from some quarters is laughable and extremely naive.

The laws of the game decree the following
A player, substitute or substituted player is sent off if he commits any of the following seven offences:

serious foul play
violent conduct
spitting at an opponent or any other person
denying the opposing team a goal or an obvious goalscoring opportunity by deliberately handling the ball (this does not apply to a goalkeeper within his own penalty area)
denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick
using offensive, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures
receiving a second caution in the same match
A player, substitute or substituted player who has been sent off must leave the vicinity of the field of play and the technical area.

This incident has been labelled as serious foul play

This can be broken down from FIFA's own interpretations of the law in section 12
Careless, reckless, using excessive force
“Careless” means that the player has shown a lack of attention or
consideration when making a challenge or that he acted without precaution.
• No further disciplinary sanction is needed if a foul is judged to be careless
“Reckless” means that the player has acted with complete disregard to the
danger to, or consequences for, his opponent.
• A player who plays in a reckless manner must be cautioned
“Using excessive force” means that the player has far exceeded the necessary
use of force and is in danger of injuring his opponent.
• A player who uses excessive force must be sent off


Now its pretty much apparent that this is where the grey area where the doubt reigns. Was it excessive force? Or was it a just amount. My opinion is that wasn't excessive, had McCartney not gone down it wouldn't have been red. The reactions of both sides made everyone think it was worse than what it was. Cohen's left legs trailing for most of the challenge, how can that be excessive if he isn't leading with two feet? And the whole reasoning that it was 2 feet raised off the floor is laughable. Of course it was, the ball was off the floor before you even begin to debate the semantics of that conundrum. It seems the 50/50 is something that looks like it will be increasingly outlawed. If you look at the image below,who looks like they are launching a two footed dangerous lunge more? It's not Cohen.


You can't really blame Grayson or the fans for their reactions. Our fans would do the same, and Davies would undoubtedly do the same. We have seen worse behaviour from opposing managers (Phil Browns technical area invasion springs to mind) but there is this inherent need and desire to create an opposing team pariah out of any incident that does us wrong. I think most of it comes down to bad luck that the various officials views of Cohen's tackle made it look worse.From behind it is clearly isn't malicious but referees don't get the advantage of replays. That's a debate for another day. But we are appealing the decision. It should be over hauled. It won't be though, the FA will back up their man,and justice won't be done. With our parlous midfield state it could be catastrophic for the rest of April.

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Sunday, April 3, 2011

Red Card and Poor Defending see's Forest drop to 7th

Defeats and poor referees have become a regular occurrence at Forest in recent weeks. Yesterday proved to be the tip of the iceberg, as Forest fell to their heaviest defeat under Davies since the 5-0 loss at Burnley in March 2009.

We all know it was one poor decision that changed the game for the worse. That red card to Cohen completely took away all of Forest’s momentum and come 60 minutes it was all over.

Forest lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. An injury to McKenna meant Cohen would have to take on responsibilities of being the enforcer in midfield. Lynch and Tudgay also came back into the starting line up for Tyson and Konchesky(injured).

Forest played the first half with real intent and desire - a pleasant change from recent weeks.

The first chance for Forest came through a free kick from 17 yards out. Lewis McGugan chants were sung out in the away end as he could only hit the ball low into the wall – disappointing really as I was expecting him to lob it delicately over the wall.

Majewski went close shortly after with a shot from just outside the box that took a wicked deflection away for a corner – from the away end it looked like the shot was going to fly into the corner.

Forest were definitely the better team and came the closest to breaking the deadlock when a low Joel Lynch cross on the left went right across the face of goal and into Tudgay, who could only put it over. Tudgay should have done a lot, lot better as it was a glorious opportunity.

Snodgrass then forced Camp into a save after Leeds went on a quick break before an injury then followed to Anderson, who was replaced by McCleary. It was a shame really as Anderson had been one of the best players on the pitch and it’s now another name to the injury list.

Forest then had a fantastic opportunity to take the Leeds. Majewski produced some fantastic work on the left before cutting inside two Leeds defenders and cutting the ball back for Boyd. With Kasper Schmiechel nowhere to be seen Boyd had his shot blocked before the rebound fell to Tudgay who had his shot cleared off the line.

Less than 5 seconds after the ball was cleared off the line, Cohen made a tackle that would see him sent off. Cohen flew into a tackle on George McCarthey that sent the Leeds bench, players and crowd into frenzy. Granted Cohen left the ground two footed but by the time he made the tackle, he had one leg on the ground and won the ball before the man. After much consultation with his linesman, Halsey sent Cohen off – a totally ridiculous decision it has to be said. I’ve never seen Cohen fly into a tackle like that - maybe the momentum and delegation of playing the McKenna/Moussi role didn’t help - but it was never a red for me and that seems to be the views of most bar Leeds United and Simon Grayson, who seems convinced he’d have broken McCarthey’s leg.

The red card infuriated Forest fans and with every tackle made from that moment on, chants of “off, off, off” were sung in the away end.

Little else happened after that in the first half. Forest booed the ref and his assistants off and rumours of an altercation in the tunnel between Ned Kelly and some Leeds staff filtered through the ground.

Second half and Forest came out a different team. With no real tackler in the midfield, Leeds was allowed to waltz through and break easily – which became the story of the second half.

Within five minutes of the restart, Jonny Howson had put Leeds ahead. A fantastic through ball by Snodgrass found the advancing Lichaj who whipped in a cross for Howson to control and smash it home from six yards. Poor marking by Wes Morgan it has to be said.

Kris Boyd was shortly withdrawn for Nathan Tyson who’d add that bit of pace we’d been lacking up front.

But on the 58th minute, it was game over. A corner from Bannan found Bromby, whose header hit the post before Becchio nodded the rebound into the goal.

Leeds almost had a third when Snodgrass’ curling effort clipped the top of Camp’s crossbar and went over. Self destruction was an understatement.

But Forest pulled one back through sub McCleary who set the ball up onto his left foot and hit a sweet curling shot past the hapless Schmeichel from the edge of the box. A remarkable goal and one that will shut the McCleary haters up for a week at least.

The momentum was back with Forest for a short while who went all out attack after being boosted by their goal. A corner from Majewski saw Morgan force Schmeichel into a magnificent reflex save.

But in next to no time, Leeds killed any hopes of a Forest revival off with a great finish from Gradel. A long ball forward was cleared by Wes Morgan as far has Bradley Johnson. Johnson flicked it into Gradel who flicked the ball up and volleyed it past Lee Camp – a goal of pure class from a largely uninspiring player on the day.

Earnshaw came on to offer fresh ideas but Gradel was on hand to grab his second on 87 minutes and make it 4-1. Livermore turned his man to easily and hit the ball at Camp who could only parry. Becchio hit the follow up at Camp before Gradel finished it off. Camp should have saved the initial shot for me but in the end it was too late.

So 4-1 it finished and I can’t help but feel hard done by. With 11 men on the pitch we were totally dominant and I have no doubts we’d have won.

But it was same old Forest not being able to grab a goal when we’re on top in games. The poor decision cost us dearly but we should have defended three of the goals a lot better.

It’s no surprise Forest are appealing the red card but even if successful it won’t take away the fact we’ve lost ground on one of our rivals and now fallen out of the play offs altogether.

What we’re now left to rue is the reality of missing out on the play offs altogether. Our loss allowed Reading to climb into 6th with a game in hand. We’ve now put even more pressure on ourselves ahead of next weekend’s clash against Reading and with only 1 win in 11 games; I’m not feeling too confident we’ll get much from it.



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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Forest 24-7 Exclusive: Davies to register as player

Forest 24-7 understands that Billy Davies is set to come out of retirement and register himself as a player until the end of the season – a remarkable 13 years since he played his last game.

In an amazing twist of events, Davies is set to roll back the years and aid his injury struck midfield by offering his services.

Davies has chosen to take the number 46 shirt in honour of his age and will be available against Leeds on Saturday.

A source close to the club said “We still have a number of players in the treatment room and Billy didn’t want be left in the same position as Portsmouth where he would only be able to name three subs because of our long injury list. Billy feels by being part of the first team action, he can lead on the pitch and get the promotion the fans deserve” Billy is expected to be among the subs bench on Saturday.

Forest 24-7 would also like to take the time to wish you all a Happy April Fools Day. ;-)


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