Now I have to say I was pleased with the reaction by all following Forest. That was certainly better, ( not good by any stretch of the imagination ) but a more progressive team and the aim ( shock horror ) to TRY and play footy. We won't face many better than Forest's #15 on the wing who was brilliant movement wise, love us to have him in blue. Anyway, another test. They just drew at home to Bristol City, 8th placed and sitting pretty with no doubt a good squad. Will show a bit more as to what we're capable of. I actually fancy a win. Perhaps blind optimism? A sucker for disappointment, a vibe, not sure. I assume Bart will resume in goal due to playing for the U21s Monday. Fantastic news that the Bish got through 90, this game will surely be too soon for him after so long out ( sadly ) but that's definitely a player on the way back. Hope Mick goes for pretty much the same lineup and gives it a chance to blossom. Douglas did very well when coming on ( the goal does not reflect this granted ) however he certainly showed why we signed him. Very calm on the ball and ( shock horror ) trying to be progressive. I think if we can KEEP a settled enough side, let the front 3 work as a trident, get a couple of wins and confidence coming back we can march up the table. Very much a key part of the season, 4 or 5 more dodgy results is going to require top 2 form post christmas just to make top 6. Lets cut that 7 point gap, starting Saturday. COYB.
Surely he must start 4-3-3 injuries permitting, this formation can produce results as we all know , but I wouldn't be surprised if he reverted to type and play out a dour 0-0 but by god I hope I'm wrong Very winnable games coming up, now is the perfect time to up the pace and play the fast attacking football we crave Don't bottle it Mick we are all watching you and patience wearing a bit thin now
Agree Yorkie - with Fraser out, lets stick with 4-3-3. Niles isn't disciplined enough out wide in a 4-4-2 from what I've seen, Oar seems sicknote so far - maybe 2016 maybe his year but it's looking bleak this year. Toure hasn't been too bad, but every week is he going to get us up? not sure. Both Bru/ Douglas will be far better in a 4-3-3 than at CM in a a 4-4-2 - I'd stick with 4-3-3 for the foreseeable future if I was Mick.
Dice is a great way of doing it bigal - well lets have a laugh for a second and say we do lose 2-4, lets hope it's not how Reading lost to Fulham sat, 2-0 up on 55,,, full time 4-2. WOW. Quite a turnaround that. The only game I can recall us doing that is 2-0 down at Coventry half time, 4-2 win, and similarly 2-1 down at QPR, Currie debut, 4-2 win. Both away, surreal. Very important game, lets try to get back ontrack.
We need more pace in attack, in the first half on Saturday when we were dominating the game Forest would hit us on the break with pace usually down their left flank and more often than not get a shot in to test our Keeper, we on the other hand make a break usually through Sears get to about 30 yards from goal and everything stops, this is followed by some tippy tappy sideways and backwards passing until we are crowded out and lose possession very rarely does it result in a shot on target, for Christs sake will someone take responsibility and take a shot to try and work their Keeper.
" We need more pace in attack, in the first half on Saturday when we were dominating the game " Glad someone else has raised this point - whatever review people were read about Forest hammering us first half, well, it's not just me that felt completely different.
Cant recall anyone saying Forest hammered or dominated us first half, just that they had 4 very good chances and should have had the game won!!
Someone I cannot remember who said Forest hammered us. They only had 1 very good chance bar the goal which Gerken saved, they threatened very little the rest of the 90 in terms of actual chances. In no way shape or form should they have won the game, a draw was the least we deserved. Bar their 15 they were bloody awful.
I think Westy may have been relating to my post where BBC Final Score suggested that Forest were by far the better team as it was one of their featured games so kept going for live updates on a regular basis. Im with Field marshall 100% on our lack of counter attacking play. Its one of the things that does really annoy me. We get over the half way line with pace and the opportunity to exploit the space but will then stop and 10 seconds later it will be back with Smith to hoof aimlessly in the general direction of Murphy, regardless of whether he is playing or not! Onto Cardiff, bit like most games I cant get excited by the prospect. With our current form and Cardiffs strong back line I would be amazed if we managed to score more than 1. Knowing us we will go 1 up after 20 minutes and decide thats enough and fall deeper and deeper before conceding.
Cardiff are above us in the table and, as Westy pointed out above, they've got a good squad. Having said that, we need a win somewhere and, in my opinion, the next four games all look winnable. I don't think I've predicted a win for about a month, but I'm cautiously optimistic we can notch all three points and head into November with a bit of confidence. I hope Bart's 90 minutes in the development squad's match against Palace is a precursor for him to come back into the side. Likely going to be the same back four, I'd still pick Knudsen ahead of Parr, despite the latter's goal last week. Let's retain 4-3-3 and go for a defensive Skuse, midfield pairing of Bru and Douglas (with Bishop possibly coming on as a substitute depending on the result), and the front three of Sears, Murphy, and McGoldrick. I'll opt for a scrappy 2-1 win. Sears and Murphy (who still needs to break his duck this season) to score the goals.
Like your thinking Nuggets I'm hoping for similar. Yep Tractor Bhoy was referring to this. Out of interest, anyone at the game? I'm at Hillsborough with that woman ( It must be love love love ) so lets hope they show me how to play footy. Still maintain that Forest #15 looked a right player.
I'm viewing it more of a triangle midfield trio, Spanish. Skuse in a more defensive position, with Bru and Douglas ahead of him. I just don't rate any other match fit central midfielder to get the nod ahead of them.