Anyone go to the game today? Caught bits on the radio but was working. Sounded like a cracking game, Should Forest have got a penalty? Your views please.
I couldn't be there either - was wondering how Hooiveld and Fox got on, and what kind of reaction did McGoldrick get when he came on? Cheers
McGoldrick got ****er chants and boos. I was at the other end of the ground for the penalty call so can't really say, looked like it could have gone either way though. I thought Fox was quite good, his delivery was top class, but a couple of people behind me didn't have a good word to say for him all game. Hooiveld was okay I thought, needs to learn distribution though.
Davis 6 and a half. - Wasn't brilliant today kept us in it with a few amazing saves but also made some shocking decisions and In my opinion was lucky not to give away a penalty. Fox 5 and a half - In terms of positioning he was appalling always always always letting his man go and then having to leg it back to block a cross which got him a round of applause that he didn't deserve because he shouldn't of been in a position where he was so far away from his man. His score is pulled up by some good attacking work but I for one would like to see the return of Harding. Fonte 7 - Was given a torrid time all game and should of closed down faster for Forests first goal but he did well to (sort of) hold together a back line that have yet to play together. Hooiveld 7 - Did surprisingly well, made sure he got some sort of touch on the ball every time it was pinged towards our back line which is what you want from a centre back. Sometimes his touch would be in the wrong direction which can be worked on and looked like he needs to work on his pace but then what centre back doesn't! Needs time to gel with kelvin and fonte though. Cork 7 - Some neat play in the periods when we had more possession and were on top but when put on the back foot he did look like he was struggling. Very composed on the ball as you'd expect from a natural central midfielder and in my opinion that is where he should play he is just not a right back, good utility man but shouldn't be playing the whole game in a position that is not his favourite when to my knowledge we have at least 2 right backs fit? But its not his choice where he plays and I think he did the best he could. Guly 7 - Didn't get a direct assist but had a big hand in the first 2 goals and showed some sublime skills to boot. He seems to think he's allowed to drift out of game once he's done his part though and that can be a problem. Devastating at his best today, woeful and frustrating at his worst though. Spiderman 5 and a half - I resent having to give him a low score as I love him but he just didn't perform today, good couple of passes but I rarely saw him really get stuck either offensively or defensively. Disappointing as this was his chance to pin down his starting spot! Hammond 7 and a half - One of a few players today who looked like he really cared about every header and tackle. Made some good runs and passes and tried to get stuck in. However he wasn't very successful due to his team mates more than anything, but his effort is whats got him a fairly high mark. Did some good barking at others as well. Lallana 8 - But only just an 8. Not brilliant today but still showed some wonderful craft and vision and was a constant goal threat, tracking back was poor and has been for a while, I'm happy to let him off for that though due to his brilliance in general. He looked like he cared going forward though making searing runs throughout the whole game. Towards the end no one could keep up and he fired a fantastic cross that no one had even bothered to get into the box for. Connoly 7 and a half - Did a bit today his usual crafty self but was knackered by the end of it and lost impact throughout the game. Not a lot to say against him but he didn't do anything that made me think he was a god today. Lambert 10 - Carried us today in my opinion, even if he hadn't of scored a goal he'd still of got at least a 9. Did amazingly well won almost every header and played some lovely football, and whats more he scored a 3 goals in the process. His free kicks are still looking deadly and I think he'll score one in the next 3 matches at least! His celebration for the third shows his passion for the club and its fans, not to mention his fantastic work rate. Subs Chaplow 8 - Did his job well, came on and got stuck in which is what he is there for, made some nice runs and had some good link up play. De ridder 7 - Didn't get a lot of the ball and I think he plays better as a winger than as a striker, still he ran a lot and put the keeper under pressure whenever he could he was the only player to do that for us all game! Didn't really get enough time to prove what he could do adequately though.
Kelvin Davis - 6, superb save in second half, could have maybe done a bit better with the goals Jack Cork - 5, isn't a right back, looked really uncomfortable Jose Fonte - 7, outstanding at the back Jos Hooiveld - 6, steady debut although heading needs to be improved Danny Fox - 6, caught out of position a few times, Harding's been better so far Adam Lallana - 8 MOM, absolutely superb down the left as usual, dazzling to watch Morgan Schneiderlin - 7, looked good in the middle Dean Hammond - 7, looked good, compliments Schneiderlin well Guly - 7, superb in 1st half, but faded a little in 2nd half David Connolly - 6, some good touches but again faded in the 2nd half Rickie Lambert - 8, superb up top, great hat-trick and pipped to post for MOM Richard Chaplow - 7, looked good when he came on Steve De Ridder - good cross for lambert, but can't rate Referee/Linesmen - 1 What are your ratings?
It was a penalty, mcgoldrick came on at the same time as there ****er of a number 9 came off so the booing had already started before anyone realised it was him anyway although it did intensify. And I though Fox was dreadful as a defender, and ok going forward.
Thanks for that. Think some of the team selection was forced on NA with injuries. Not our best game but got 3 points. Winning promotion can depend on winning the games when you are not scintillating. Look how Brighton are once again getting those all important goals. Good for Fox, de Ridder and Jos to get run outs.
Hooiveld and Fox were unimpressive. Neither looked better than what we've already got. McGoldrick was booed but not by a significant number.
DIdn't realise miller was being booed. Which one was a penalty? Nige said he'd seen replays and the Derbyshire one wasn't.
Kelvin Davis - 6, superb save in second half, could have maybe done a bit better with the goals Jack Cork - 5, isn't a right back, looked really uncomfortable Jose Fonte - 7, outstanding at the back Jos Hooiveld - 6, steady debut although heading needs to be improved Danny Fox - 6, caught out of position a few times, Harding's been better so far Adam Lallana - 8 MOM, absolutely superb down the left as usual, dazzling to watch Morgan Schneiderlin - 7, looked good in the middle Dean Hammond - 7, looked good, compliments Schneiderlin well Guly - 7, superb in 1st half, but faded a little in 2nd half David Connolly - 6, some good touches but again faded in the 2nd half Rickie Lambert - 8, superb up top, great hat-trick and pipped to post for MOM Richard Chaplow - 7, looked good when he came on Steve De Ridder - good cross for lambert, but can't rate Referee/Linesmen - 1
Adkins said it was not a pen - davis got a touch on the ball and then derbyshire dived looking for a pen. If thats the case a cracking decision from the officials. Great game of football - Cork should not play at right back but Guly's touch in the build up to Lamberts second goal was sublime. And Lambert has now completely silenced his critics that he is not proven at championship level.
His celebration for the third shows his passion for the club and its fans, not to mention his fantastic work rate. ------------------------------------------------------- Lambert really is a top lad, & that celebration was a nice touch.
Davis - 6 - Decent game but had a heart in mouth moment giving the ball to Derbyshire. Cork - 5 - Didn't look comfortable at all at right back. Fonte - 7 - Solid defensively and passed it well. Hooiveld - 7 - Did well for most of the game and very comfortable on the ball. Fox - 8 - I disagree, I thought he looked a lot better than Harding - Better on the ball, better positioning and a cracking delivery. Guly - 7 - Typical Guly, great first half then faded away in the second half. Hammond - 8 - I thought he had an excellent game. He battled brilliantly and was given far too much to do from Schneiderlin. Schneiderlin - 6 - He seemed to be playing more of a free role rather than his usual disciplined role. I don't think it suited him and put a lot of pressure on Hammond. Lallana - 8 - Great first half and didn't do too much in the second probably because we didn't keep the ball well enough to control the game. Lambert - 9 MOTM - Brilliant goals and a great all round performance. He does seem a lot fitter this season. Connolly - 7 - He was great in the first half and linked up well with Lallana but faded in the second. Chaplow - 7 - We passed it better when we went to the diamond and he battled well to win the ball back. De Ridder - 7 - Good energy but didn't have too long to influence the game.
I am a bit disappointed at the criticism of Fox, he got some very important blocks in and the goals didn't come from his side of the pitch. Don't forget he is a new kid on the block and team melding isn't instant. Dan H must wonder if he will get the shirt back in a hurry.
