Match Day Thread Nottingham Forest Versus Norwich City

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Predict the result


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    11
Interesting comments in this article, link posted below:

"At present, Jerome has to start but where on earth are our signings?
Apparently skint, we've bought Pritchard, Canos and Oliveira yet none of them got a look in. The idea of signing players must be to improve on what you've already got but we have one playing understudy to our talismanic Irishman, one who despite impressive cup and u23 performances can't even make the bench and a new striker we've yet to even see. If we really have spent everything we had on these guys I don't think it's unreasonable to think we might actually see them at some point. If they're literally just squad players then a window considered disappointing will start to look as **** as one with a view of Ipswich. "

http://www.alongcomenorwich.com/article-archive/forest-vs-norwich-the-acn-verdict

A few comments Cromer.
Apparently, Basil will start against the Toffees in the EFL cup on Tuesday and I'd be very surprised if Pritchard doesn't also start. Canos is more likely to be in the U23 team tomorrow evening and I've got my ticket for that game, so expect a brief match report!!!. There are 2 further U23 games in Novemeber, which I hope to get to as well.

Agreed as I clearly said in my post. I think we'd all have taken our current points tally after 8 games if we'd been offered it at the start of the season. What about performances though, was Birmingham our only unacceptable performance ? How many great performances have we had ? What if we've just been lucky and the 8 teams we've played so far are the 8 worse in the division ? As I said 3 or the teams we've beaten currently sit in the 3 relegation spots. Clearly we're in a great position, but only if performances improve going forward. If we maintain our performance levels over the last 8 games for the remainder of the season I can't see us finishing in the top 6, we might even struggle to finish in the top half. Clearly if our performance levels improve then we're in a great position to get automatic promotion. Interestingly yesterday, perhaps for the first time this season, we seemed to play square pegs in square holes. Hopefully AN has learnt some useful lessons, but I won't hold my breath.

Could it be that AN has at last 'have seen the light????'
His starting 11 on Saturday could be interesting.
 
Agreed as I clearly said in my post. I think we'd all have taken our current points tally after 8 games if we'd been offered it at the start of the season. What about performances though, was Birmingham our only unacceptable performance ? How many great performances have we had ? What if we've just been lucky and the 8 teams we've played so far are the 8 worse in the division ? As I said 3 or the teams we've beaten currently sit in the 3 relegation spots. Clearly we're in a great position, but only if performances improve going forward. If we maintain our performance levels over the last 8 games for the remainder of the season I can't see us finishing in the top 6, we might even struggle to finish in the top half. Clearly if our performance levels improve then we're in a great position to get automatic promotion. Interestingly yesterday, perhaps for the first time this season, we seemed to play square pegs in square holes. Hopefully AN has learnt some useful lessons, but I won't hold my breath.
I believe the transfer window played a big part in unsettling the squad, the Murphy's probably feared they would be shipped out to Rotherham or Inverness and our International players were probably being offered to Turkish sides and lower prem teams .
Now they know they are not going anywhere until January they have to start playing to get the side up or to force a move.
The results have started to come and if Forest is anything to go on performance too.
 
I believe the transfer window played a big part in unsettling the squad
Not specifically a reply to your comment, DD, but what the fans think is largely academic. It's just opinions and is why we have a discussion forum.
But whatever your views on Naismith and Whittaker, for example, what is apparent is that they were both the architects of their own downfall. A few grumbles of discontent in the stands doesn't help, but when the gaffer leaves them out of the 18 man squad altogether, that tells a story that no happy clappers or grumblers can argue with. His opinion matters far, far more than ours does and he's cast his vote <ok>
 
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Not specifically a reply to your comment, DD, but what the fans think is largely academic. It's just opinions and is why we have a discussion forum.
But whatever your views on Naismith and Whittaker, for example, what is apparent is that they were both the architects of their own downfall. A few grumbles of discontent in the stands doesn't help, but when the gaffer leaves them out of the 18 man squad altogether, that tells a story that no happy clappers or grumblers can argue with. His opinion matters far, far more than ours does and he's cast his vote <ok>
So you're saying Alex reads our boards to decide whether to use players ?.
I bloody knew it him and Garry Gowers are constantly lurking. <party>
 
I wouldn't say its irrelevant, but it doesn't really prove that much at the moment, a bit like our current league position, however all trends have to start somewhere. So I think I'll keep going with it and maybe when we get to halfway through the season we'll be able to judge how relevant it is.

I think comparisons are always useful, canario, especially as the season goes on, but I also look at where our opponents finished last season to get an idea of our accomplishments or otherwise. Interesting that Brum are now 5th in the table.
 
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Here are a few quotes pulled off the Forest forum:

"How good was Hoolahan? Was unbelievable second half. "
"Best side we've played so far. They'll be top two or thereabouts come the end of the season."
"[Hoolahan] Ran the game for them, and it was the slight tactical changes Naaarch made (moving Hoolahan and getting their #8 to sit a bit deeper denying Hilderberto the space he'd enjoyed in the first half) which won it for them. "
"Norwich came out all guns blazing in the second half. We never really gripped the game and they outclassed us. We didn't play badly but we lacked the same self belief we exhibited in the first 45 minutes."
"Not only do they have quality all over the pitch, they were well organised and very hard working. Top two."
"They got their nose in front and used their experience to control the pace of the game and stop us having another barn storming finish, a cut above the others we have done it to. We can learn from this result."
"Glad we didn't get thrashed, they dominated us and deserved their win. They are a much better side than us and are going for promotion and we are a midtable side."
"As many have said, beaten by a better side who have a strong Prem core and will be favourites for promotion this season. They just knew how to take the sting out of us"
"Really impressed with us first half. Norwich showed what a quality side they are 2nd. More nouse, better cutting edge, more fluid."
"We were outplayed and outclassed by a team who will without doubt be challenging auto promotion."
"I'll take the odd reverse against a Naaarch side who've been established for the best part of three years as they will surely be top two come the end of the season."
"I thought Naarch showed us what we should be aiming for though. By no means a showy performance from them but they were very effective at shutting the game down once they went ahead. I thought Hoolahan and Dorrans in particular were excellent and that Jacob Murphy will play in the Prem one day."
 
Brilliant Rick and it all sounds like we MAY have 'turned the corner', but I'm also aware that we'll have an 'off day' now and again. Let's hope it's not Saturday and I'd love us to have a convincing win to give us a far better GD!!!!

Not specifically a reply to your comment, DD, but what the fans think is largely academic. It's just opinions and is why we have a discussion forum.
But whatever your views on Naismith and Whittaker, for example, what is apparent is that they were both the architects of their own downfall. A few grumbles of discontent in the stands doesn't help, but when the gaffer leaves them out of the 18 man squad altogether, that tells a story that no happy clappers or grumblers can argue with. His opinion matters far, far more than ours does and he's cast his vote <ok>

Just a shame it took him 5 matches to realise it!!!! <laugh>
If Whittaker and Naismith want to leave in January, I'm happy to drive them wherever they want to go - any volunteers as co-driver/navigator????
 
Brilliant Rick and it all sounds like we MAY have 'turned the corner', but I'm also aware that we'll have an 'off day' now and again. Let's hope it's not Saturday and I'd love us to have a convincing win to give us a far better GD!!!!



Just a shame it took him 5 matches to realise it!!!! <laugh>
If Whittaker and Naismith want to leave in January, I'm happy to drive them wherever they want to go - any volunteers as co-driver/navigator????

Yep I'm in!
 
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Brilliant Rick and it all sounds like we MAY have 'turned the corner', but I'm also aware that we'll have an 'off day' now and again. Let's hope it's not Saturday and I'd love us to have a convincing win to give us a far better GD!!!!



Just a shame it took him 5 matches to realise it!!!! <laugh>
If Whittaker and Naismith want to leave in January, I'm happy to drive them wherever they want to go - any volunteers as co-driver/navigator????

I'll do it for free BH !
 
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Just a side note but I wonder if our midfield fluency is linked to Tettey not playing? This also allowed Howson to play centrally which I feel always improves us.

At this level do we need s Tettey style player or can we get away with playing a more expansive midfield? It's not as if our defence should be outclassed by many this season as they were last year.
 
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Just a side note but I wonder if our midfield fluency is linked to Tettey not playing? This also allowed Howson to play centrally which I feel always improves us.

At this level do we need s Tettey style player or can we get away with playing a more expansive midfield? It's not as if our defence should be outclassed by many this season as they were last year.

Yes Norfolkbhoy, I do wonder if you've
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. Saturday's team selection is going to be interesting and I'd quite like to see the same starting 11

I'll do it for free BH !
That's you, ILD and me willing to provide a taxi service for Whittaker and Naismith in January then. What's the betting Naismith will start on Tuesday and play a blinder??? <doh>
 
Well it looks like I'll probably be able to put together an MDT for Tuesday after all. I've just realised that research for the match history against Burton on Saturday isn't going to take too long <laugh>
 
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Brilliant Rick and it all sounds like we MAY have 'turned the corner'.

Square pegs in square holes seems to work. Lets hope next week we don't do an about turn and walk back round the corner.

I think most managers in our situation would start next week with the same starting 11, We live in hope.
 
Excellent comment from David Freezer on the EDP website - "Cameron Jerome seems frustrated by the system, as he softens up defences before being over-run by attacking midfielders for the best chances and then snatching at more difficult chances when surrounded by defenders.
I’m not calling for the system to be ditched, City are on target for promotion so far, but it would be nice to see a less cautious set up deployed soon if that momentum continues to build."

I think a few of us on here have been saying more or less the same.
 
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