F.A. Cup Glory

Well we all by now know the result and if you don't what rock were you hiding beneath for the last 24 hours, but a glorious televised 5-0 for Forest versus an admittedly under strength West Ham saw Forest sail through the Fourth Round.

Paterson

Forest saw the return of Moussi to the line up for Vaughan and Paterson of course in the team on the other flank to Abdoun for Mackie. Save for that the team was pretty much the same as played over Christmas. 

To say things started well is an understatement and from the off we looked the better team. We took a relatively early lead when Paterson was fouled in the area and Abdoun snatched the ball to take the penalty ahead of the likes of Reid and Lansbury who had scored penalties before this season.

Well I said to my friends when he stepped up that I was worried he'd try something stupid. He of course did. One assumes the keeper hadnt been aware of Abdoun or he might have guessed he'd try a "Panenka" penalty. It was almost predictable. Had it been saved he'd have looked monumentally stupid, instead he pulled it off and was acclaimed by some on the net as a genius.

The rest of the half was pretty much us having more of the ball and creating half chances, but the best other chance of the half fell to Ravel Morrison for West Ham whose free kick was well flicked over the bar by the hand of Darlow.

In the second half we overcame a dodgy period to go and complete the rout of West Ham. Jamie Paterson came of age on a Forest shirt with a hat trick of quality and a little bit of luck. His first was a low drilled shot into the corner from a Halford knock down, the second was deflected in from a defender into the bottom right corner, and his third and final goal he collected the ball out wide, ran across the edge of the area and finished into the corner again fora glorious hat trick.

Andy Reid finished the rout with a goal after a cut back from Abdoun and finished into the top of the net. This didn't flatter us at all. It was deserved and I felt sorry for the West Ham fans who must have started so early in the day to come up and watch something so abject. This lasted a short while. I know that when the tables are turned the sympathy is so slow in coming apart from the mocking. 

The attention is all more about Allardyce in today's media, will he hang on to his job after this? What does it mean for their transfer activity? It is less about what it means for Forest, or how good we are, but that's what gets the attention. Not the smaller club, but the Premiership sides travails.. That's the way of the world I guess.

Defeat Getting Too Easy

It has been a few days now since the West Ham defeat, which I wanted to write about earlier, but couldn't think how best to phrase what i have wanted to say. Basically, my whole mindset is that how things have changed in a year, and how easy it is now to accept that we have lost again.

Well accept might be the wrong word, but this season we have become so accustomed to defeat and disappointment that it no longer hurts as much. It’s like almost expected in some regards. I had no expectations before the game, and promptly not alot was delivered.

Ok, so we scored, there is a one solitary bright point, and it was a good McGugan strike from what we remember before. But on the other hand, we lost; the goal was so deep in stoppage time that basically the game was gone anyway, so we were on a hiding to nothing.

Last season a defeat I think was harder to take. Mainly because we weren’t used to it. Winning became easy and we got so accustomed to that feeling that the playoffs felt like a huge deflation. Whereas a win now is a crazy feeling. That Ipswich game was such a shock to the system that I was simply amazed.

To start winning again after this run would bring that back. But the games coming up are games that on paper are winnable. We need to win for a start. To be honest, it still doesn't feel like we will go down. The negative fans I moan and write about so often, they are the ones out in force suggesting we might as start programming Scunthorpe and the like into the Sat-Nav's.

West Ham are now top of the table, and with a number of top flight pedigree players, to be honest had we been the team we were under Davies I still think we may have lost this game. To be honest although not the same line ups we lost before to them in the FA Cup which shows that, regarding last season and this season and how we ran them close we have actually gone backwards.

We all know this for a fact, but this point merely underlines it for all to see. It is such a shame, which of course is also a huge understatement. But to be honest, the next few games now have so much riding on it. A break this week for the cup might do us good.

Forest Hammered

I’d hope this season will produce fewer more miserable afternoons than yesterday’s game against West Ham.

A crushing 4-1 defeat at home does little to make many people take us seriously as contenders for promotion.

Regardless of the result however, it has to be said this game saw our best attacking display in the league this season.

Steve McClaren made one change to the side that was on the right end of a 4-1 result against Wycombe earlier in the week. George Boateng came back into the team in place of Joel Lynch, with Chris Cohen being pushed into left back.

There was also a boost as Scott Parker hadn't travelled with West Ham ahead of his move to Spurs.

Forest started the brighter of the two teams. An early McGugan corner found Findley who headed it just past the near post and into the set of visiting supporters.

Shortly after McGugan had managed to jinx and wriggle his way through the West Ham defence before lacking the composure to slot it past Rob Green. The one touch passing between Greening, Cohen, Miller and McGugan in the build up was encouraging.

Chris Cohen was then the next person to test West Ham, as an in swinging free kick from 35 yards evaded everyone and forced Rob Green into an excellent reflexes stop to just tip it around the post.

The resulting corner came to no avail and seconds after West Ham were on the attack.

Slick and strong passing between Nolan, Cole and Faubert ended up finding Matty Taylor who’d cut inside the Forest box. He whipped in a low left footed cross across goal which resulted in Chambers slicing the ball into his own net. A totally soft goal against the run of play but that’s what happens against the best team. It would be the start of a miserable day for the Forest skipper.

3 minutes later and West Ham had scored again. An over hit corner by Taylor found an unmarked Tomkins, who headed it into the path of Nolan to flick into the goal. It was a calamity of defensive errors and one that needs resolving as soon as possible.

Forest fought back immediately from the kick off. Raddy and Miller unlocked the West Ham defence with a sweet one-two. Miller went one on one with Green and put the ball the wrong side of the post.

McGugan then went even closer when he thumped the post with a half volley.

You were beginning to get the belief that Forest was going to get something from this match with the Hammers on the back foot. By 30 minutes, it was all over when the Hammers scored again.

Another poorly defended set piece saw Taylor over hit another corner. This time O’Brien chipped the ball back into the box, for Nolan to flick across to an unmarked Carlton Cole. Of all people to leave unmarked in the melee it had to be the international striker.

Nolan then went on to miss an absolute sitter.

The question on everyone’s lips was how many were we going to lose by today? Despite looking slightly promising going forward, nothing was working at the back leading me to believe that a left back not all we need in defence.

Half time couldn’t come quick enough. When the game restarted it was nearly 4-0.

Gunter tried to clear away Collinson’s attempt but only got as far as Faubert whose shot just deflected over – totally wrong footing Lee Camp in the process.

Nothing was working and by 58 minutes Boateng had been subbed for Joel Lynch giving Cohen the license to partner Greening in the centre of midfield. Derbyshire and Reid shortly followed in place of McGugan and Raddy.

Forest then made a breakthrough on the 70^th minute. A short throw in saw Lynch and Cohen play a glorious one-two. Lynch then managed to cut the ball across goal for Robbie Findley to scoop past Rob Green. Game on.

I have to add that Lynch is the best LB in the club. He’s not a popular figure with fans but when he plays, the team does seem all the better for it. After all you then allow Gunter and Cohen to play in their strongest positions. If we aren’t going to buy a LB, then we have to play Lynch.

6 minutes later and any hopes of a comeback were cut off – provided they hadn’t been already.

Matt Taylor’s corner was totally misjudged by Greening who hit an airshot. Fortunately Morgan was behind him to hit it away. Gunter then ran as far as the edge of the box before losing the ball to Taylor who whipped the ball back in for Winston Reid to slot in past Camp. It was atrocious defending.

A flurry of Forest fans soon left the ground, leading to the Hammers chanting “Is there a fire drill?” and then their favourite “How Sh#t must you be? We’re winning away.”

West Ham then pumped a long ball forward causing Camp to make a hash of catching the ball. Piquionne beat him to it but then headed wide.

Camp looked a shadow of his former-self it has to be said. Tame goal kicks normally ending up in the ground, no fan interaction and a general lack of interest. Maybe he was fed up of the shoddy defending in front of him or maybe he’s fed up of being at the club having had a move to Swansea blocked.

Chambers almost scored from a corner with his header being cleared off the line before West Ham almost added a fifth in injury time, when Nolan’s deflected effort wrong footed Camp and steered just wide of the left hand post.

The full time whistle couldn’t have come soon enough, leaving McClaren with some big thinking to do over the international break about how we can bounce back from this.

Whatever we do, we have to react sharpish as visits from high flying Southampton and Derby are up next.

Follow me on twitter @benando_torres

Views from the Away End – West Ham United

In light of the build up to today's big game, Forest24-7 took the time to ask West Ham fan, Stephen Bradley, a few questions.

1. First things first then, how do you rate West Ham and your chances of promotion this season? Do you buy in to the hype of being favourites?

I think we have a fantastic chance. You look at our squad and we have the likes of Green, Cole, Nolan and Parker – for now at least – at our disposal. Without wanting to be too arrogant we have a Premiership team of players for this league and it should work in our favour.

2. What do you think to Big Sam? Was he the right choice?

I think he definitely was the best available. He got Bolton out this league almost ten years ago and stabilised them. That’s what we were desperate for.

Avram Grant had taken this club to the pits and had we signed the players Big Sam has done in January with him at the helm, I’d argue we maybe wouldn’t have gone down. The football might not be pretty but it’ll sure as hell get results.

3. West Ham has a magnificent squad at the moment for this division – one I’d argue would have kept you up last season. Who’s the man to look out for tomorrow?

Without a doubt Scott Parker! He’s become an England regular and we’re fortunate to still have him at the club. Obviously its look like he’ll be Spurs bound by this time next week but if he plays today, he’ll run the show.

4. If you could have any Forest player at West Ham, who would it be and why?

I’ll surprise you and say Chris Gunter. He’s one of few players when I see them who rarely plays badly and is by far the best fullback in the division. You guys are lucky to have someone of that class at your disposal.

5. West Ham has won both their away games upto now and have yet to concede on the road. Can you see this run continuing tomorrow?

Who knows? In my honest opinion no as we’re playing a side with a home record who’ve only lost twice in two years.

6. Apart from yourselves, which team do you consider to be the biggest threat in this league?

There are a few sides. Leicester is the biggest threat along with Forest. I also think Middlesbrough are the dark horse. So long as we’re in one of the three promotion spots by May, I don’t mind who else is up there with us.

7. Steve McClaren divides many opinions among Forest fans. As a fan of another club, how do you rate him as a manager?

If you had asked me this question 4 years ago, the answer would have been less than complimentary!

I think Steve is a great manager who, like Big Sam, has the experience of turning a club around and stabilising them in the Premiership. From what I’ve seen of Forest so far, you’re like us in regards to finding your feet with the new regime and players that have been put in place.

Stick by Stevie, I think you’ll be ok and any doubters should look at his CV as a manager.

8. Lastly, what do you reckon the score will be?

Gonna go with 1-1.

Obinha Hattrick puts Forest to the…Iron – West Ham United 3-2 Forest (FA Cup Fourth Round)

What with all the transfer window madness today, our report on yesterday's Forest-West Ham game has been delayed - so here it is.

A 5000 strong Forest away following made the trip to East London yesterday, in what can be considered one of the best FA Cup ties of the fourth round.

Pre-game, many West Ham fan didn’t seem to be too bothered by the tie, in fact most were hoping they’d lose so Grant would hopefully be pushed further to the exit – at least he hasn’t lost the board again eh?

Both sides made changes to their teams, resting key players and giving some of the reserve players a run out.

Forest’s changes included McGoldrick and Adebola linking up in place of Earnie and Tudgay, while Raddy and McKenna started in midfield in place of Tyson and Moussi.

The game itself couldn't have got off to a worse start. Freddie Sears came close early on with a shot that Morgan blocked, putting the ball out for a corner.

The resulting corner saw Forest bizarrely only mark opposition players inside their own box. The marking allowed West Ham to play the ball short to Noble, who hit an out-swinging, wayward shot at our goal – largly greeted with sarcastic cheers by Forest fans. Unbelievably this shot ended up providing an inch perfect ball into the path of Victor Obinha, who from 6 yards, volleyed the ball into the goal.

Cries of offside were heard in the away end but the first half highlights West Ham put on the big screen at half time, showed Gunter was Obinha well onside - a case of right place, right time.

When things like that happen early on, most can be forgiven for thinking;‘It’s gonna be one of them afternoons’.

Oddly, the early goal saw Forest jump into life. McGugan had three attempts at goal – all going wide and high - but the pressure was clearly getting to West Ham, at which point a Forest goal looked inevitable.

On 18 minutes, Raddy played a delicate through ball through for McGoldrick, who picked the ball up on the flank and cut it across for Dele Adebola. Adebola then poked it home right into Rob Green’s bottom right hand corner, presenting Dele with his first goal of the season.

The Forest dominance continued right through the half, and while Piquionne looked a bit nifty on the break, Forest continued to create glorious chances. Fortunately it all paid off in the end, when an Ilunga foul on Gunter, gave Forest the free kick that lead to the second goal.

An inswinging ball from Cohen was headed by Kovac at Green, who desperately palmed it up in the air to stop an own goal going in. The ball flew into the air and landed right onto David McGoldrick’s head who nodded the ball over the line from just over a yard out. It was one of them goals where you wonder is it in or not when sat in the opposite stands.

The goal got Forest fans into full song with ‘Que sera, sera, we’re going to Wembley’ ringing around the away end.

Sadly Victor Obinha cut our song short, when he sprinted into the space left by Lynch and lined up to put in a cross for Sears in the middle. Incredibly the ball ended up flying right over Lee Camp from 25 yards. There were questions of did he or didn’t he mean it? If you ask me it looked like a total fluke but, hey, good players always have that bit of luck on their side.

When the ref blew for half time, most reds fans were saying to each other what a cracking half of football that was. With news filtering through that Notts and Man City were drawing 0-0 in a ‘poor game’, most agreed ITV had put the wrong game on TV again – One day they’ll learn.

Second half, and Forest came out like a totally different team – they were almost playing like the team that lost to Leicester in November.

The momentum had tipped into West Ham's favour and their pressure rewarded them with a penalty after Lynch pushed over Reid. At the time, I didn’t think it looked a penalty until I saw the highlights later on that day, which saw Lynch basically hanging onto him.

Obinha stepped up to claim his hattrick with a cool penalty that sent Camp the wrong way and a celebration that would have put Earnshaw to shame.

Forest were beginning to get sloppy. McKenna was miss placing passes, Lynch was starting to drift into his favoured centre of defence instead of staying in the left back position and we were constantly passing the ball back to the goalkeeper.

West Ham was also being presented with some glorious chances forcing Camp into excellent saves that were sure to impress Fabio Capello sat in the crowd - it’s not too late to change your mind on giving the boy a call up!

Earnshaw, Tyson and McCleary were brought on to create something but to no avail and wild shots from the players towards the end, meant we weren’t going to grab a late equaliser to put ourselves in the hat for the fourth round draw.

In all honesty, I wasn’t too disappointed with the defeat. It was a great day out to a premiership team, we put up a good fight even without some of our best players and we can now focus on the league - don't you just love that cliché.

After all with the fixture pile up February is bringing, an FA Cup replay would have been the last thing we'd have wanted.

I also like these games as it gives us a chance to assess how we compare to Premiership teams at this moment in time - even if the circumstances and squad selection would be different.

Maybe in August, this match will be an all Premiership affair.

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Forest Out of the Cup

Nottingham Forest have today been eliminated from the FA Cup in a high scoring affair at Upton Park by West Ham United.
West Ham took an early lead through Obinna, who would go on to score a hat trick. Adebola equalised with a low shot from 12 yards. And then Forest took the lead when David McGoldrick scored with a header underneath the bar.
West Ham hit back quickly though Obinna, before an early penalty in the second half after a foul by Lynch.
West Ham succeeded in holding on to their 3-2 scoreline

The full match report will follow...

West Ham Ripe for the Picking

I can't think of a time I have looked at us playing opposition from the division above, least of all the Premier League and felt so confident we can get a result, if not bring them back to our place.
West Ham have just been dumped out in the League Cup Semi-Final,after leading the tie on aggregate, then capitulated and allowed Birmingham to come back and eliminate them. Hopefully destroying confidence at the same time. I do concede it maybe a rallying call for them to perform in what is the only thing that could save their season, an FA Cup run.They did go to extra time mid week, which will have further tired players.
West Ham also of course look doomed, the team is not playing well, struggling against relegation with constant rumours of Avram Grant being sacked imminently.
Forest as we all know are flying, beating anyone we play at the moment, 5 wins on the bounce, with 3 clean sheets. Impressive stuff. Even more impressive is the turn around in away fortunes. 3 away wins on the bounce, 4 out of the last 5 more so, including that very impressive win at Cardiff. So therefore we shouldn't fear going to another teams manor any more, as we did for virtually all of 2010.
West Ham will be welcoming new striker Ba to the fold, after signing on loan from Hoffenheim in Germany, it remains to be seen if he will be involved.
It has to be said, Rob Green and Matthew Upson apart, their back line particularly shaky. Whether Billy will implement the speed strategy of Tyson, or go with Earnshaw as varying options. As is the fact we have a another game on Tuesday and the Cup is a mere distraction. Davies may decide to rotate to keep people fresh for the Coventry game, this might see the likes of Bennett come in for Lynch, McGoldrick might get a start up front also.
Whatever line up we do choose though, this game has been mentioned by many as a potential upset, more than most of the games TV has chosen to show, which shows the way West Ham have fallen out of favour, TV only wants to show the big boys fail, not relegation candidates. I am sure there will be streams online for this game, so I hope to be watching from my sofa.

Come On You Forest Men