[Archived] Forest

[JBiz]

I think at the very least, Rhodes must be dropped for a game. Koita and Lawrence, maybe?

Let him know he needs to up his game.

I see your point but equally he can't score on the bench. As others point out, we need some better service, Marcus Olsson's cross will be converted by a Rhodes in form every day of the week yet that stood out as one of the only times we got in behind a resilient Forest side, despite having large chunks of possession.

When you know your striker can't go over the top for pace, it does force the play out wide. We'd do well to have a real speed monster next to him to run the channels and open up space IMO.

[patrickvalery]

Thought Koita was short on enthusiasm tonight. That said, he didn't have it easy. Rhodes was a non event.It felt decidedly like out best hope was a set piece. Second half we lacked intensity. Especially compared to the first.

On another night Koita's header goes in and we come away 2 points better off. But it wasn't to be.

Duffy and Hanley looked great again. As did Conway and Akpan. Aside from that, Evans was ok when he came on and Ollsson was decent. But can't help thinking we need someone with a bit of magic in the middle and generally a bloody good upgrade on what we have. I appreciate the fact it was a short time between matches and that does have to be considered in terms of the sustained intensity. But this side could do with a bit of refreshment.

Onward an upward. Another clean sheet and the unbeaten run goes on.

[joey_big_nose]

I think at the very least, Rhodes must be dropped for a game. Koita and Lawrence, maybe?

Let him know he needs to up his game.

It might make sense to give him a rest and bring him on round the hour mark next game.

Christ we really need another striker.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Amazing how I got called for saying we played effective hoofball against Rotherham. We draw a match against far better opposition and the knives come out. Personally thought it was the best we have played under PL so far. First half was a perfect example of how he wants us to play - second half we ran out of steam a bit but still held our own (and with better finishing from Koita might have won). Still not perfect - but better and still looking solid at the back.

[roversfan99]

Hanley should have got man of the match. Akpan was poor I thought, kept losing possession.

[the original david brent]

Disappointed tonight. I thought forest offered absolutely nothing throughout the game and were there for the taking. I must have been watching a different game to some posters but I thought Rotherham were better than Forest. A real missed opportunity to have gone 7th place, which would have been a truly remarkable turnaround.

I don't know what's happened to Rhodes but he is simply not at the races at the minute. He is on the pitch to score from crosses such as the one Olsson put in and yet he was a yard too slow to react. He was second best to everything tonight.

Plus points were Hanley and Duffy again. I've also previously criticised Steele for not pulling off enough match winning or point saving saves - tonight he saved a point for us.

[patrickvalery]

Hanley should have got man of the match. Akpan was poor I thought, kept losing possession.

I think Akpan makes a big difference to our midfield. Ok you have to accept he's not technically gifted, but he covers lots of ground, makes tackles and interceptions. The only time i was disappointed with him tonight was a silly foul on the edge of our box. But his height in the midfield is invaluable imo.

Not to mention he gets forward too. I think he's made a very decent impression thus far.

[JBiz]

Akpan is a good second ball winner and looked good next to Guthrie who is plays with his head up. His tiring led to us losing ground IMO!

[Tom]

Akpan looks by the the pick of our central midfielders to me

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

On a brighter note we picked up another point, that's five games unbeaten, we're not a soft touch anymore and I'm not looking over my shoulder quite as much now. Considering I had us nailed on to go down in August I'm pretty pleased with the results.

[Mercer]

Expect us to win at Reading on Sunday.

Lost their last 3, away to Hull on Wednesday and still floundering without a manager.

Our extra 2 days' recovery time will also be key.

[West Yorks Rover]

Expect us to win at Reading on Sunday.

Lost their last 3, away to Hull on Wednesday and still floundering without a manager.

Our extra 2 days' recovery time will also be key.

A 0-1 would be very nice indeed, that would mean 3 consecutive away wins and we'd be in dreamland going into the Xmas games.

[Butty]

Koita won pretty much everything that came his way which was good too see, new right back is essential in January, for me Henley just isn't good enough, need someone who can get forward like Olsson can, should be our main priority.

[Josh]

On a brighter note we picked up another point, that's five games unbeaten, we're not a soft touch anymore and I'm not looking over my shoulder quite as much now. Considering I had us nailed on to go down in August I'm pretty pleased with the results.

8 games unbeaten now, unless you were just talking about under Paul Lambert

[garnersfags]

A journey through the emotions!

I agree that some of us became a little emotional during the game resulting in some overly-negative posts, but we've all been there. Maybe just need to take a breath or 2 before posting, esp if v critical content.

That said, I think quoting a member's whole comment log is a bit much, Tom. He was criticised and I think we could have left it at that.

Not meant personally, Tom. I like your input as a rule.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

8 games unbeaten now, unless you were just talking about under Paul Lambert

Yep you're right . Onwards and upwards.

[Pedro]

I'm glad Koita got a run out. I thought there was some kidology going on with him. Lambert isn't an idiot and it was obvious we needed a presence and a bit of action up top. He is going to frustrate because he isn't a finisher and his touch can be woeful - but he certainly kept the defenders on their toes and did a few good things . Rhodes, another frustrating showing. He offered nothing again but we also offered next to nothing for him. Marshall too, he's wracking up the poor shows.

[Husky]

Gawddddd! The first half wasn't so bad, but the 2nd was like going back to the stone age (square wheels and all).

Forest came for the point and got it - though they seemed like they were more likely to win it in the last 25 mins (without being that threatening).

They were pretty well organised and hence our problem (particularly at home) will be how to break these teams down - with our current lack of attacking options and lack of pace in general that is going to prove very difficult with the current squad.

Pretty drab stuff really. We pretty much cancelled each other out. I doubt it was championed as an advert for the Championship. Though I didn't really expect it to be anything more - just hoped we might have nicked the 3 points and had we not missed a point blank header early in the 2nd half we might well have done. Then it would have been a genial performance .

Defence were mostly great again - especially limiting the set piece specialists to just one corner (though they nearly scored from it).

Paul obviously needs to get some of his own players in.....and meanwhile we'll have to hope we can keep remaining hard to beat and hopefully picking up a win or two along the way. Now it's on to the rest of the week hoping all the other teams draw.

[Tom]

I agree that some of us became a little emotional during the game resulting in some overly-negative posts, but we've all been there. Maybe just need to take a breath or 2 before posting, esp if v critical content.

That said, I think quoting a member's whole comment log is a bit much, Tom. He was criticised and I think we could have left it at that.

Not meant personally, Tom. I like your input as a rule.

You are right, a tad unfair; I've edited it now.

As you say we are all guilty of knee jerk reactions, myself more than most truth be told

[adsfortheblues]

Shocked at the attendance 12,002! That is shocking. Well, surprising. People waiting for half seasons tickets not bothering with it being on the box, that funny selection who don't attend even though they have season tickets, and the walk ons with it being on telly and a Monday and a pretty poor standard of 2 division football. Still thought it would have been a good 14k.

[garnersfags]

Having cooled down from my 10pm frustration, I think our general disappointment with a home point after a game in which we played our best football since PL arrived, just shows our heightened expectations.

The real test will be our performances against sides in the top half, with and without any January signings.

We are beating the teams we should beat and struggling to overcome the teams above us (and Forest, who will finish in top half), which is progress. We now need to steadily improve performances which will allow us to compete with, and hopefully beat, the top 10.

PL has learned a lot tonight.

Shearer hasn't!

[Veevs]

Chris Taylor summed up our non existent attacking play. Its a real worry how we cant create anything from open play. So slow and predictable.

Defensively excellent.

Yet we still hit the woodwork and had 4 times the shots of Forest..

There is no plan B when the service from the wings is blocked off (or Marshall goes into totally disinterested/knackered mode). Where is the cute play in and around the edge of the box? Also there is no pace up front so when the opposition have a period of pressing there is no threat on the break. Alot to do in the January window and I doubt if sufficient suitable players will be identified or available.

If we can grind out results then not a problem for me, we do need the window but it is not really the managers fault, blame him when he brings his own in if you need to. As for cute play around the box.. err who from PLs squad can you see filling that role.. and who do you drop to achieve it

Disappointed tonight. I thought forest offered absolutely nothing throughout the game and were there for the taking. I must have been watching a different game to some posters but I thought Rotherham were better than Forest. A real missed opportunity to have gone 7th place, which would have been a truly remarkable turnaround.

I don't know what's happened to Rhodes but he is simply not at the races at the minute. He is on the pitch to score from crosses such as the one Olsson put in and yet he was a yard too slow to react. He was second best to everything tonight.

Plus points were Hanley and Duffy again. I've also previously criticised Steele for not pulling off enough match winning or point saving saves - tonight he saved a point for us.

Agree forest didn't offer much going forward but we still rattled them and the numbers they had behind the ball was daft at times. For me was interesting that they set themselves up like they did, showed a bit more respect from the opposition than I have seen in a while and was refreshing we didn't start with any out and out defensive midfield types (Evans, Williams or Lowe types.. yes I know he is injured but you get the point)

Hanley should have got man of the match. Akpan was poor I thought, kept losing possession.

Got to remember Akpan and Guthrie (who will be short on match fitness) where up against a 3 man central midfield that included the likes of Lansbury.. thought he did excellent

[beanie]

We need to find a midfielder who can unlock teams who set up to stifle us we are good from the wings but need someone who can open a team up through the center in games like this.

[dave birch]

We need to find a midfielder who can unlock teams who set up to stifle us we are good from the wings but need someone who can open a team up through the center in games like this.

Aaron Mooy......

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

It seems the brilliant start results wise and being able to see the play offs has resulted in a season that was over suddenly having increased expectations.

If you offered folk 11 points from his first 5 games most of us would have taken that.

Need to average a minimum of 2 points a game so on target at the moment. Win at Reading needed to keep momentum going as we have struggled against the better sides (Boro).