I said it at the time that I worried the International break would kill our momentum, I’ve mentioned it at length during many posts in the post game synopsis lately, but there are the cold hard facts. Since the break we, out of the playoff contenders are on the second worse form. Only Palace are in a worse vein of form than us.
To look at it in context Charlton, though unlikely to make the playoffs, being 4/5 points off the chase with 2 go are the inform side in the pack. I have looked at what the various teams have done since the break, and though hardly any are on stellar form it has completely killed our momentum. And it’s not as if we were the only squad to lose people to international squads, we all pretty much have squads with them in.
Although no-one completely recovered from the break form wise, we had ours shot to pieces. 0 wins and 4 draws since then with 2 losses. We had that run of games before the break which were all wins, and that includes the likes of Hull. Post break and we can’t beat anyone.
That 2 week break allowed teams to prepare and understand our game. Additionally, if you won 3 days or 7days previously you have a psychological edge. Going into games after 2 weeks, well it’s almost a clean slate in terms of that Psychologically the last game was so long ago that a break either sets you back, as in our case, or apparently sets you free and gives you a fresh start as with Charlton.
Going purely on a post break table of playoff chasers, it looks like this.
1. Charlton 14points
2. Bolton 12 Points
3. Brighton 10p
4. Watford 8p
5. Leicester 6p
6. Forest 4p
7. Palace 2p
So by that basis, if we’re playing for 4 spots, and you almost rule of Charlton due to distance behind (and I’m including them only as an illustration of a point) we would deserve to miss out with Palace. Palace have admittedly in that time played only 5 games whilst the rest have all played 6, so it might even be that we’d be bottom of that table if based on 6 matches.
So it’s obvious to me that the break killed the momentum we had built, and ultimately may cost us. There’s no guarantee of that of course, it’s also quite possible we’d have started losing sooner, but the whole naive argument that it’s the break the players wanted is and was frankly ridiculous. When you hear anything players say when they are on form games can’t come soon enough, not let’s have a nice long gap. Think of anything you do in any sphere of life, when you’re on fire or in the zone you want and need to keep going. Any kind of break in that will cause a proverbial bump in the road.
I don’t think our great form would have carried on indefinitely, but look at the evidence in front of us. Failing to beat mediocre teams, whimpering performances. Before the break we were on the cusp of history and a new all time winning run. Now we are in the worst run of form this season (if we count games without a win.) Nothing’s changed. The personnel are the same, but that emotion and that wave of optimism that was created were allowed to end due to the time off. We have retreated back to the McLeish games now. Davies got us motivated, set us up on fire. But that could only last so long.
Yes people and Davies said we had looked leggy before the break, but no worse than other teams, and that’s what a squad is for. To be able to cover or rotate to rest the odd players. The fact is it wasn’t really a break to several key players, who were international duty, and who picked up knocks (Lansbury) or got punched by Suarez (Jara) There is still lots of travel and training to cover for. And some people seem to think the rest of the players didn’t train and just have their feet up whilst colleagues jet around the world. It’s scarily naive.
All we need is to break this slump and win the next two games, which is somewhat against the odds now to hopefully break back into the top 6. Though fate is out of our hands, we can certainly pile pressure on this Saturday with a win. The worry is a losing mentality has set in, but that said, the evidence of last week is they haven’t given up. Yes we didn’t win, but we created those chances and but for the width of a post would have won. It isn’t over till the fat lady sings, and I don’t hear any singing yet.
Showing posts with label Play-Offs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Play-Offs. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread
If anyone of 4 shots that hit the woodwork had been an inch or two in another direction the whole outlook of this piece would be different, for then we’d have fate on our side, and would only have to make sure we win and that would enough alone. Instead we now need to win AND for other teams to lose. This is now a tall ordeal with 2 games left.
That said it’s happened before. 2 games out when were promoted from league One we thought it an impossible task. Surely both Carlisle and Doncaster couldn’t slip up, but surely they did, and it allowed us for that most unlikely of promotions that sunny day 5 years ago.
It is by such margins that seasons are made or destroyed, that a shot bounces in; a keeper manages to keep the merest of finger tips to the ball. Both Reidy and Sharp crashed balls against the base of the right hand post of Luke Steele. Frustrating because on these occasions we had beaten a keeper playing well, but even then something denied us the glory of a win which would have changed every emotion.
And that’s the fine margin. We went home feeling deflated. Not angry like sometimes, not depressed, just deflated, like we all knew this was possible, but hoped it wouldn’t happen, but strangely acceptant when it did. For that reason I think the crowd never turned like it could. Yes it seemed to almost turn nasty, but sometimes we’d have heard boos, and yes there were a few, but mostly we knew the jig was up, that we should never even really have been in the mix for the playoffs and yes it’s all over (except most in the back on their heads say that in public, but in private retain a feeling of it’s still possible, but I can’t speak it aloud, or I’ll curse it)
Barnsley to be fair weren’t as bad as they were at Oakwell, which was pretty shocking, but they still barely offered anything. Every attack in the last 20 minutes I expected them to pox a winner somehow just to rub slat in wounds, but thankful the ignominy of losing to such poor opposition didn’t happen.
What scares me is the way our strikers have simply stopped working. No goals in earnest for a while. Now the middle can’t score either it’s all rather annoying. Guedioura had a few long rangers that were actually on target but they were relatively simple saves for the keeper. The close range headers from Lansbury, or Sharp were pretty much at him from point blank, but still needed to be saved. Yes they look good, but if your keeper concedes them it’s embarrassing.
If we miss the playoffs by 2 points, and that’s certainly possible, this will be chalked as a big miss. It really should have been a win. But to single out games as disappointments in that way is always a little foolhardy. You could say the same about other games. And what about those last gasp points we really never should have got in several games recently before the rot set in?
It just seems we peaked too early, but when we embarked on that run of wins it seriously didn’t seem like that was possible. That’s why I mention we shouldn’t even be there because the way the rest of the promotion chasing teams imploded at the same time was ridiculous. I do worry for the teams going up this year that they aren’t good enough. But consider the teams who came down. They haven’t exactly set this division alight, so how big is that gap? I’ve heard several national journalist say it’s a poor division because in the occasional game they’ve seen it’s been low standard, and I won’t lie it happens, but the same with the Premiership. Is Reading v Wigan any higher standard than Watford v Bolton? Probably not.
All in all yet again frustration reigns at the City Ground, and it looks like another year will pass where we don’t sit at footballs top table. It’s 14 years now since we were relegated. There’s a generation of our fans who have never seen us play top flight football. Never mind be competitive at that level. It’ll likely be at least 15 before they ever do.
That said it’s happened before. 2 games out when were promoted from league One we thought it an impossible task. Surely both Carlisle and Doncaster couldn’t slip up, but surely they did, and it allowed us for that most unlikely of promotions that sunny day 5 years ago.
It is by such margins that seasons are made or destroyed, that a shot bounces in; a keeper manages to keep the merest of finger tips to the ball. Both Reidy and Sharp crashed balls against the base of the right hand post of Luke Steele. Frustrating because on these occasions we had beaten a keeper playing well, but even then something denied us the glory of a win which would have changed every emotion.
And that’s the fine margin. We went home feeling deflated. Not angry like sometimes, not depressed, just deflated, like we all knew this was possible, but hoped it wouldn’t happen, but strangely acceptant when it did. For that reason I think the crowd never turned like it could. Yes it seemed to almost turn nasty, but sometimes we’d have heard boos, and yes there were a few, but mostly we knew the jig was up, that we should never even really have been in the mix for the playoffs and yes it’s all over (except most in the back on their heads say that in public, but in private retain a feeling of it’s still possible, but I can’t speak it aloud, or I’ll curse it)
Barnsley to be fair weren’t as bad as they were at Oakwell, which was pretty shocking, but they still barely offered anything. Every attack in the last 20 minutes I expected them to pox a winner somehow just to rub slat in wounds, but thankful the ignominy of losing to such poor opposition didn’t happen.
What scares me is the way our strikers have simply stopped working. No goals in earnest for a while. Now the middle can’t score either it’s all rather annoying. Guedioura had a few long rangers that were actually on target but they were relatively simple saves for the keeper. The close range headers from Lansbury, or Sharp were pretty much at him from point blank, but still needed to be saved. Yes they look good, but if your keeper concedes them it’s embarrassing.
If we miss the playoffs by 2 points, and that’s certainly possible, this will be chalked as a big miss. It really should have been a win. But to single out games as disappointments in that way is always a little foolhardy. You could say the same about other games. And what about those last gasp points we really never should have got in several games recently before the rot set in?
It just seems we peaked too early, but when we embarked on that run of wins it seriously didn’t seem like that was possible. That’s why I mention we shouldn’t even be there because the way the rest of the promotion chasing teams imploded at the same time was ridiculous. I do worry for the teams going up this year that they aren’t good enough. But consider the teams who came down. They haven’t exactly set this division alight, so how big is that gap? I’ve heard several national journalist say it’s a poor division because in the occasional game they’ve seen it’s been low standard, and I won’t lie it happens, but the same with the Premiership. Is Reading v Wigan any higher standard than Watford v Bolton? Probably not.
All in all yet again frustration reigns at the City Ground, and it looks like another year will pass where we don’t sit at footballs top table. It’s 14 years now since we were relegated. There’s a generation of our fans who have never seen us play top flight football. Never mind be competitive at that level. It’ll likely be at least 15 before they ever do.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
The Path to the Playoffs and Where Forest Need to Win (or Lose)
Ok, so every season isn’t the same, and this season might see a new record low or high points needed, or hell a different average, but we here at Forest 24-7 have been making some calculations to see what is needed to get promoted (hey, we are the form team in the division right now) or to just reach the lottery that is the playoffs.
What has been exposed is that on average we have left a charge for the automatic spots too late. In an average season even if we won all our remaining fixtures we would be left short points wise by a single one. Now Ok, this season might be different, but themes the facts.
Additionally I don’t think any fan with a modicum of sense is actually thinking we can currently go for top two. Maybe a few delusional extremists, but the large core know this is probably now beyond us.
But what of the playoffs? In an average season 73 points are needed based on the last 5 years. Two of those years 70 points is all that’s been required. We currently have 54. So on average that’s 19 points. Although could be as little as 16 points. Which is basically 3 points either way leeway. Based on going somewhere just below the bottom we reckon going for 20 points might be doable. But this is where things get trickier. That means winning 6, drawing 2 and allowing for 2 defeats. That would certainly be promotion form. Well let’s look at the remaining fixtures.
Nottm Forest V Wolves
Sat 9 Mar 15:00
Hull V Nottm Forest
Sat 16 Mar 15:00
Nottm Forest V Brighton
Sat 30 Mar 15:00
Burnley V Nottm Forest
Mon 1 Apr 15:00
Nottm Forest V Blackpool
Sat 6 Apr 15:00
Cardiff V Nottm Forest
Sat 13 Apr 15:00
Middlesbrough V Nottm Forest
Tue 16 Apr 19:45
Nottm Forest V Barnsley
Sat 20 Apr 15:00
Millwall V Nottm Forest
Sat 27 Apr 15:00
Nottm Forest V Leicester
Now the Championship being the Championship, it is very hard to predict who will do what and when. It is notorious for anyone being able to beat anyone, and as such bankers are not always what they seem. That said if we need 6 wins, you have to identify the fact we have 5 homes left. 2 of those against struggling opposition. This includes 2 promotion chasing teams, Brighton and potentially the last say Playoff shootout between us and Leicester. As I said for simplicity sake, these we will pencil in as wins for now
Leaving another win and 2 draws required. Now we have two winnable away games, Burnley and Millwall, but let’s say for arguments sake we only need win one, Milwall is the harder place to go. Middlesbrough and Cardiff are not on great form, but their league positions, as well as Hull suggest that between these 3 we could absorb the two defeats we potentially can absorb. However on the crest we are currently on and on paper, the Hull game is the one I’d fancy us to maybe get something from.
Similarly should we fail to beat Leicester or Brighton, then you could look to the Burnley & Millwall games as both being wins.
This is all as I say basically guesswork, and football is NEVER this easy. But it does show how possible it is, but also how perilously poised our hopes are hanging by small threads. But look at where we were a month ago compared to now, and this was unthinkable to sit down and work out. If we can’t dream what can we do? We could lose the easier games, end up beating Middlesbrough and Hull and throw other cats amongst the pigeons as we are then taking points off those teams we are competing against
Exciting times ahead.
Heres the Maths
What has been exposed is that on average we have left a charge for the automatic spots too late. In an average season even if we won all our remaining fixtures we would be left short points wise by a single one. Now Ok, this season might be different, but themes the facts.
Additionally I don’t think any fan with a modicum of sense is actually thinking we can currently go for top two. Maybe a few delusional extremists, but the large core know this is probably now beyond us.
But what of the playoffs? In an average season 73 points are needed based on the last 5 years. Two of those years 70 points is all that’s been required. We currently have 54. So on average that’s 19 points. Although could be as little as 16 points. Which is basically 3 points either way leeway. Based on going somewhere just below the bottom we reckon going for 20 points might be doable. But this is where things get trickier. That means winning 6, drawing 2 and allowing for 2 defeats. That would certainly be promotion form. Well let’s look at the remaining fixtures.
Nottm Forest V Wolves
Sat 9 Mar 15:00
Hull V Nottm Forest
Sat 16 Mar 15:00
Nottm Forest V Brighton
Sat 30 Mar 15:00
Burnley V Nottm Forest
Mon 1 Apr 15:00
Nottm Forest V Blackpool
Sat 6 Apr 15:00
Cardiff V Nottm Forest
Sat 13 Apr 15:00
Middlesbrough V Nottm Forest
Tue 16 Apr 19:45
Nottm Forest V Barnsley
Sat 20 Apr 15:00
Millwall V Nottm Forest
Sat 27 Apr 15:00
Nottm Forest V Leicester
Now the Championship being the Championship, it is very hard to predict who will do what and when. It is notorious for anyone being able to beat anyone, and as such bankers are not always what they seem. That said if we need 6 wins, you have to identify the fact we have 5 homes left. 2 of those against struggling opposition. This includes 2 promotion chasing teams, Brighton and potentially the last say Playoff shootout between us and Leicester. As I said for simplicity sake, these we will pencil in as wins for now
Leaving another win and 2 draws required. Now we have two winnable away games, Burnley and Millwall, but let’s say for arguments sake we only need win one, Milwall is the harder place to go. Middlesbrough and Cardiff are not on great form, but their league positions, as well as Hull suggest that between these 3 we could absorb the two defeats we potentially can absorb. However on the crest we are currently on and on paper, the Hull game is the one I’d fancy us to maybe get something from.
Similarly should we fail to beat Leicester or Brighton, then you could look to the Burnley & Millwall games as both being wins.
This is all as I say basically guesswork, and football is NEVER this easy. But it does show how possible it is, but also how perilously poised our hopes are hanging by small threads. But look at where we were a month ago compared to now, and this was unthinkable to sit down and work out. If we can’t dream what can we do? We could lose the easier games, end up beating Middlesbrough and Hull and throw other cats amongst the pigeons as we are then taking points off those teams we are competing against
Exciting times ahead.
Heres the Maths
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Playoff Dream Over. Again
Nottingham Forest have continued their awful run in the play offs with defeat at Swansea last night in what was an enthralling contest. The Reds fell behind 2-0 before battering the Swansea goal in the second half, before finally scoring with ten minutes left. The dream was ended in extra time by long term target Darren Pratley who scored from half way when Camp had gone up for a corner.
That opening paragraph barely covers the full story in trying to start this article with an overview of a game that was as usual for the Reds in the Play offs, action packed. Second legs of our play off matches should come with health warnings now. I watch the hairs physically grey in front of my eyes on some people sat around me.
For a neutral that must have been exhilarating watching. Goals, penalty appeals, posts and bars hit, repeatedly. Questionable reffing one again from a topflight referee. It was as good an advert for the Championship as you could get, it's just a shame it all ended in the wrong manner.
Davies sprang a surprise with his team selection by selecting Tyson. Opting for the electric pace up front, rather than the finishing of Earnshaw. And it nearly worked early on,when Tyson raced clear, making the defender look static before squaring a great ball to McGoldrick, who's left footed shot clipped the top of the bar.
Not long after Swansea went up the other end with a good chance. Sinclair had got in down the left and fizzed the ball across the area, where no-one was to put it in. If they had been it would have undoubtedly been 1-0 there and then. Forest went up the other end and nearly scored with a McGoldrick flick from a free kick put in. The flick went straight at de Vries,and had it been one foot either way it would have been in. At this stage too Moussi was consistently giving the ball away after winning it back.It encompassed all that is frustrating about the Frenchmans game.
Swansea then had two very good chances. Rangel first bursting into the box and providing a defenders finish by blazing it wide, before Borini had a wonderful effort come off the bar. The came the first penalty appeal. McGugan moving into the area was having his shirt clearly pulled by Tate in the Swansea defence. Marriner, didn't flinch,nothing given. Even Warnock at half time said it was a penalty and he hates Forest. Then 1 minute later Gunter was booked for the same offence. Guess they just aren't given in the area.
And then Swansea scored. Twice in five minutes. First Britton scored a lovely goal. A curling finish Camp didn't even move for. Tudgay should have defended better,but you can't detract from what was a great finish. Then five minutes later Dobbie,who was a key member of the Blackpool team who demolished Forest last year scythed through the defence, nutmegging Chambers and finished low into the bottom right hand corner, and Forests fans hearts all collectively sank.
Just before half time came another penalty appeal when Rangel and Tyson tussled. Borini also had a good shot well saved by Camp, and that was that. 2-0 at half time and we looked dead and buried. I consoled myself with beer during half time whilst being shocked that I agreed with a lot of what Warnock was saying in the studio. He really does have a triangular head.
As the second half came to life so did Forest. Tyson had again used his electric pace to get away from the defenders and squared the ball back to the edge of the D, where Tudgay blazed over with his left foot. He might have had time to get it on his favoured foot.
Just before the hour and the woodwork was hit again. A free kick right on the edge of the area,McGugan stepped up and smacked it off the bar. So close again to that elusive goal which would have given us hope. Swansea then had a chance to finish it,when Pratley who had just come missed a free header in the box from close in.Completely unmarked,it was shambolic defending from the Reds. My friend told me of course Pratley would miss, he's signed a pre contract deal with us. I remained sceptical.
Forest made changes. Majewski, Boyd and Earnshaw were all introduced over the next 10-15 minutes. Tudgay, Tyson and McGoldrick being removed. And on 80 minutes it paid dividends. Majewski put in a gorgeous ball, and Earnshaw did what he did best, getting away from his man and finishing into the corner of the goal with a great finish. It was game on now. Forest had been pounding on the Swansea door and we now had a foot in it.
The last 4-5minutes were torture. Earnshaw hit the post, a matter of inches and it would have been 2-2.Knowing the way we have played after getting back in games, we'd have blown it anyway. But by god it was close. And then Camp started coming for corners. On one of them the ball came to Earnshaw again who tried to put the ball in and it seemed to hit Williams on the arm. I felt sure it did but I haven't seen it again. But then the game was ended.
The ball fell to McGugan as it came out of the area,but he slipped and Swansea had possession. Pratley ran it to halfway,were he shot from, and with Camp up the other end, the net was empty. Swansea had restored the two goal lead and Forest were beaten. Again it was painful, as it has been each and every occasion in the play offs. This time though, we never led the tie like before.
My brother being a neutral, told me later that it was an amazing match. It was amazing for me too as a Forest fan with a huge vested interest.But by god that last 10-15 minutes were a mixture of exhilarating and confusing. Horrorfying and compelling. Painful but memorable. We simply don't do bland second legs in the playoffs. We should be given a fee pass to them to provide the country with entertainment.
It was frustrating that we allowed ourselves to concede essentially two sloppy goals. But we can be ever so proud of that second half performance. A different ref and we may have had one of those penalties. The Swansea posts and crossbars will need a new lick of paint, after our battering of them. I will say this though,over two legs the Swans deserve it and I say fair play to them. They are a good team and I hope they go up. I couldn't stand to see Cardiff there.
So another season draws to an end with another painful ending. But I can't wait for the next one. That might be the last we see of Messrs Earnshaw, Tyson, Moussi, Bennett all of whom are out of contract. I hope its not the last we have of Billy.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Seconds Out...Round 2
So the first leg has come and gone, and though we all feel we should have done better, we are in this tie.
Those fans of other teams who enjoy attempting to wind up Forest, they say that was our best chance and we will get turned over. But lets remember that second legs and Forest in the playoffs don't go to plan. They don't follow form books. And they don't make sense.
We have to go for it, there's no two ways about that, but we still have to be careful. Had we had a lead I fear we would simply have tried to defend it. And if we did that and invited Swansea onto us, well we would probably get stuffed.
No-one gives us a hope outside of the club. That's fine with me. I'm used to being wound up now with a taunt of "Nottingham Forest F***ed it up again. at least time we have never had that period of ascendancy.
The pressure is off. At half time it is all to play for. We know very well we can beat anyone on our day, and if we have Moussi and Findley back that could be something to tip the balance. Findley is largely an unknown quantity still to us,so never mind opposing defences. I think it would certainly be worth the risk should he be passed fit. What we have been told and what I saw at the World Cup is that he has frightening pace. Added to the fact Earnshaw has been terrible of late,with some awful finishing or greedy play when passing might be better than shooting.
Swansea may freeze a little, nervous that everything is expected of them. They will be confident. At the moment it is unsure whether Taylor will be back. The man who was sent off correctly, is having his red card appealed. To the Welsh FA. How is this fair, of course they will push it through. Borini may be out with the injury that forced him off. That would be good as he his a dangerous striker.
What we have to remember is that there are 90 minutes, maybe 120 to play. It is all to play for
Those fans of other teams who enjoy attempting to wind up Forest, they say that was our best chance and we will get turned over. But lets remember that second legs and Forest in the playoffs don't go to plan. They don't follow form books. And they don't make sense.
We have to go for it, there's no two ways about that, but we still have to be careful. Had we had a lead I fear we would simply have tried to defend it. And if we did that and invited Swansea onto us, well we would probably get stuffed.
No-one gives us a hope outside of the club. That's fine with me. I'm used to being wound up now with a taunt of "Nottingham Forest F***ed it up again. at least time we have never had that period of ascendancy.
The pressure is off. At half time it is all to play for. We know very well we can beat anyone on our day, and if we have Moussi and Findley back that could be something to tip the balance. Findley is largely an unknown quantity still to us,so never mind opposing defences. I think it would certainly be worth the risk should he be passed fit. What we have been told and what I saw at the World Cup is that he has frightening pace. Added to the fact Earnshaw has been terrible of late,with some awful finishing or greedy play when passing might be better than shooting.
Swansea may freeze a little, nervous that everything is expected of them. They will be confident. At the moment it is unsure whether Taylor will be back. The man who was sent off correctly, is having his red card appealed. To the Welsh FA. How is this fair, of course they will push it through. Borini may be out with the injury that forced him off. That would be good as he his a dangerous striker.
What we have to remember is that there are 90 minutes, maybe 120 to play. It is all to play for
Friday, May 13, 2011
Forest Fail To Break Down Resolute 10 Men Swansea
I approached the game with a great amount of trepidation, as borne out in previous articles discussing my fears and worry about the game. The result overall,well not a disaster. a 0-0 draw against anyone of Swansea's ability is not to be sniffed at.
What is is though is the manner in which Forest drew a stalemate with a team who played with 10 men for 89minutes. After the early horrendous challenge by Taylor, Forest should really have took hold of the game by the scruff of the neck and taken it to the Swans.
However they seemed confused at the prospect of playing Ten Men rather than the Eleven they had done so much work on before. Swansea are a hard to to break down anyway, but with Ten men it became damage limitation. But coupled with the lightning pace and trickery on each wing they could attack you quickly.
Another problem that seemed to be occurring to me was Camps inability to kick the ball.Only once, maybe twice did he launch the ball. I' not an advocate of the long ball, but when it was played short each time, we had the defence facing 10 men to break down, with a line of the back four, that's essentially a very difficult prospect. If Camp had been able to launch it, we may have got attacks going more quickly.
Swansea in fact possibly had the best effort of the first half. A free kick which Borini sent in,tipped over the bar by Camp. At the other end de Vries saved well from Earnshaw when the ball was centred.
It had been cagey, it had been dull if I am honest, but it was mostly frustrating. Forest passed the ball well enough, but never with a sense of urgency, or a killer through ball. It wasn't helped by the front line largely being static.
The second half was a little more open, especially after the substitutions came, and I must say they came 10 minutes too late for the Reds. There seemed an unwillingness to drive at players on the wing.Neither flank got past their man much to deliver crosses. When they did come, largely in the end from corners they were too deep or too short.
Save for one which Earnshaw turned in, only to be flagged offside.Was the ball going in anyway? Who knows. From where I was it looked it was, but my position high in the Trent End is not always the best angle to judge the flight of the ball.
McGugan had has rasping shot turned away by de Vries, and a few other pot shots came to no avail. Then of course there was Cohen's effort. Having now seen the TV replay I don;t understand why this was not given. The defender (Tait?)had his arms raised as the shot hit him, clearly,on the arm, and Mike Dean waved it away. This for me was a bad decision, a blatant penalty in my opinion.
McCleary, Tyson and Tudgay all came on,Tudgay was ineffectual, but the other too ran a bit more than had been and tried to take men on, but to often it was round the edge of the tightly packed penalty area. Swansea filling it up with bodies to deny a ball into the box.
It was a great rearguard performance by the Swans. They can be proud of their 0-0.We can hold our heads high. We didn't ashame ourselves, but it could and should have been so much more. Definitely an opportunity missed. But there is still Monday.For those Swansea fans singing of Wembley at the end, Forest fans can teach you all to well the perils of presuming a good first leg result means that Wembley is near assured. They don't call this a lottery for nothing
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Playoffs: Agony/Ecstasy
This is reposting of an article I wrote last year after Blackpool put us out the playoffs underlining my disbelief but acceptance at what had happened, and talking about the bittersweet nature of the playoffs. This was written for Soccer24-7, and since then we started Forest 24-7, so I shall give this it's rightful home
They say the best way to go up is via the playoffs. The feeling of euphoria of navigating these most tricky of matches and the success of an on the day success makes it a day like no other.
As a Nottingham Forest fan I think it is something I am starting to doubt we will ever experience.
Three times now we have qualified to the playoffs and three times we have failed in the semi finals. A strange aura of acceptance seemed to emanate from City Ground last night.
Like we all sort of expected to be defeated, despite having a wonderful home record, finishing above Blackpool in the league and arguably having the better team on paper.
This is the wonderful unpredictable nature of Football though. A team who have a wonderful home defensive record (indeed 12 hours without conceding a goal) and we go and concede 4, and I won’t take anything away from Blackpool, they deserve to be going to Wembley.
It’s been a day now; it still doesn’t make the bitter pill easier to swallow. I saw the goals earlier, and it remained difficult to watch. When we lost to Yeovil in the playoffs in much more dramatic and self destructive style, it took me fully 2 years to be able to watch those goals again on Youtube. And even then it was painful.
This time it is easier to take in. Maybe because we didn’t have the two goal lead from an away leg. Maybe because this season we have been far better than any of us expected, whereas in the League One playoffs we had much higher expectations.
Some have said the playoffs are merely unfair. A way from the football league to stretch the season out and mil more money, but consider the three Forest games and each one has been utter excitement, in which the game takes many twists and turns. Seldom is it a mundane one goal in over two legs match.
For instance, right now I am watching Cardiff v Leicester. The first leg may have been just a single goal, but this second leg has been exciting with goals flying in and shots rattling the woodwork or with great saves, making it hang in the balance so finely.
My brother last year managed to attend the playoff final when Sheffield United reached it and lost to Burnley, my brother I should add is a Sheffield United fan. He said that losing in the final is worse than whatever I can feel now. It’s the worst game to lose in football was his contention.
Maybe it is, I’d almost say I would like to know. The one main way we had of comforting ourselves was the fact it’ll save £100+ each for not having to buy a ticket, get the coach/train/car etc down to London and then the other associated costs of beer and all that jazz. It’s scant consolation.
We all knew we’d prefer to have “wasted” that money and lose at Wembley than the semi finals which have become our graveyard.
And this is the beauty of the playoffs.
It can be torture, it can be ecstasy.
They say the best way to go up is via the playoffs. The feeling of euphoria of navigating these most tricky of matches and the success of an on the day success makes it a day like no other.
As a Nottingham Forest fan I think it is something I am starting to doubt we will ever experience.
Three times now we have qualified to the playoffs and three times we have failed in the semi finals. A strange aura of acceptance seemed to emanate from City Ground last night.
Like we all sort of expected to be defeated, despite having a wonderful home record, finishing above Blackpool in the league and arguably having the better team on paper.
This is the wonderful unpredictable nature of Football though. A team who have a wonderful home defensive record (indeed 12 hours without conceding a goal) and we go and concede 4, and I won’t take anything away from Blackpool, they deserve to be going to Wembley.
It’s been a day now; it still doesn’t make the bitter pill easier to swallow. I saw the goals earlier, and it remained difficult to watch. When we lost to Yeovil in the playoffs in much more dramatic and self destructive style, it took me fully 2 years to be able to watch those goals again on Youtube. And even then it was painful.
This time it is easier to take in. Maybe because we didn’t have the two goal lead from an away leg. Maybe because this season we have been far better than any of us expected, whereas in the League One playoffs we had much higher expectations.
Some have said the playoffs are merely unfair. A way from the football league to stretch the season out and mil more money, but consider the three Forest games and each one has been utter excitement, in which the game takes many twists and turns. Seldom is it a mundane one goal in over two legs match.
For instance, right now I am watching Cardiff v Leicester. The first leg may have been just a single goal, but this second leg has been exciting with goals flying in and shots rattling the woodwork or with great saves, making it hang in the balance so finely.
My brother last year managed to attend the playoff final when Sheffield United reached it and lost to Burnley, my brother I should add is a Sheffield United fan. He said that losing in the final is worse than whatever I can feel now. It’s the worst game to lose in football was his contention.
Maybe it is, I’d almost say I would like to know. The one main way we had of comforting ourselves was the fact it’ll save £100+ each for not having to buy a ticket, get the coach/train/car etc down to London and then the other associated costs of beer and all that jazz. It’s scant consolation.
We all knew we’d prefer to have “wasted” that money and lose at Wembley than the semi finals which have become our graveyard.
And this is the beauty of the playoffs.
It can be torture, it can be ecstasy.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Playoffs - We Can Make Them
According to the fans at least. In a poll we have been conduction on 24-7, 60% of fans said they still think we will make the playoffs. That's not Can, but WILL.
And admittedly this poll has been up for a week so many would have vote prior to Tuesdays win, so that percentage is probabaly higher now.
Tomorrows game becomes more and more vital. Though if we were to lose it is not a complete disaster.Leeds seem just as determined to miss out on the playoffs as we were.
Forest have players returning now at the right time, and we might even soon get to see American Robbie Findley.
Soyou have spoken, we WILL make the playoffs. After then its anyone's guess
And admittedly this poll has been up for a week so many would have vote prior to Tuesdays win, so that percentage is probabaly higher now.
Tomorrows game becomes more and more vital. Though if we were to lose it is not a complete disaster.Leeds seem just as determined to miss out on the playoffs as we were.
Forest have players returning now at the right time, and we might even soon get to see American Robbie Findley.
Soyou have spoken, we WILL make the playoffs. After then its anyone's guess
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Forest 24-7 Predicts...
So with all quiet on the Forest front and a boring international break upon us, Forest 24-7 have used this time to follow the crowd and predict where everyone will finish in May using the BBC predictor.
We believe that Forest will overcome their difficult run in of games to finish in sixth - where we currently sit at the moment - and set ourselves with a Play-Off meeting against Cardiff City. We reckon QPR and Norwich will clinch promotion while Leeds will drop out the Play-Offs altogether and be replaced by Reading.
Take a look at the full table for yourselves:
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