Once again not sure if anyone is bothered ?? Just seen the draw and the winner gets to go to Brighton. No idea what either team will be. 2-1 defeat.
I fear another defeat, the important thing is that we can find 11 fit players from a devastated squad for our next prem games. The Club, every player, us, we all need an extended break from May.
I'll also be surprised if we win this. I think we should field a strong side, with only Manchester City from the 'big clubs' left in the competition, it's looking fairly open. For that reason, I doubt Forest will put out a team of back ups - but you never know. 2-0 defeat.
I have absolutely sneaky suspicion we could win this one. Think it will be mainly one way traffic against us, but think we'll defend stoutly and take this to extra time, and penalties. We don't usually do well in shoot outs, but I'll go for a penalties win after a 1-1 draw (Hirst)
2-1 victory. Hirst showing the movement that we've been lacking, Delap coming on to be impact sub and get a goal from a nothing long ball.
And another heads up,the picture quality is far better streamed via ITV X compared to terrestrial,at least on my telly.
Ultimately disappointing night. The line we need to get over is ever elusive. Small margins, big consequences. Don't think Taylor will ever want to take a penalty again
Some good, some bad, pretty dull first half and our lack of attacking players on the pitch was very noticeable. Keeper had some iffy moments, but doesn't lose his head like Muric and much better decision maker. I wonder what it says that he didn't start today. I thought CBs were all pretty good, Woolfenden my pick, one of his rolls Royce games today. We look better on the ball with him and Burgess at the back. I thought Townsend had a decent game and in my eyes should really be pushing for a start, looks far more solid down that side. I thought Johnson had a mixed game, some really good some not so. Luongo looked rusty on the ball but felt positionally he was good. Morsy had his best game this year for me, looked back to his old self, although Forest did allow him to play and he faded in extra time. Broadhead who for me should've been starting recently I thought had his worst game this season, didn't really do any thing. Taylor ran around a lot but I don't think is suited to the role he played. Hirst was okay, clearly not as good a first touch as Delap but plays more on the shoulder with adds another dimension to our game and more likely to be in the box for crosses. Delap comes from deep. I'm still not 100% convinced Delap wouldn't be a decent option as one of the players behind the main striker. What's clear to me is because he drops deep alot you need players around him who are willing to run past him (and not many of our forwards do that).
A game of 2 halves. It will give some encouragement as we now focus on our survival.I think Woolfy should start every game. He’s our best defender and stepped up to the PL. He reads the game so well and put in numerous blocks. I doubt Taylor will be keen to take a pen again, poor man. More injuries, Axel & Burgess it seems.
Disappointing way to go out of the cup, but I thought we gave a good account of ourselves. Started positively, often rode our luck at time, was on the receiving end of some erratic refereeing decisions, but ultimately didn’t quite look fit or good enough to push on and win the game in normal time. For me, positives were a decent defensive effort backed by some good Palmer saves. I know it’s still early days, but he’s looking a much better keeper than the other two we’ve got. Townsend, Woolfenden, and O’Shea when he came on looked solid. Morsy played well. Hirst took his goal well. The main negatives were Taylor and Luongo in central midfield. Poor on the ball and often gave it away. Any positive looking attacking patterns often broke down when one of the two got on the ball. Central midfield looking like the weakest area. Luongo possibly fortunate to stay on the pitch. Broadhead had a poor game and underlined that while he’s a tidy player, his end product just isn’t as potent at Premier League level for me. Johnson also had an iffy game at the back and I thought Greaves made some errors when he came on. Dust ourselves down, try to take heart from a battling performance, and aim to get something - anything - from the Saturday trip down to Palace. If Cunha is going to get a lengthy match ban, which he should do, then maybe we can take a bit of confidence from that too. On a wider note, seen the sports media are sharpening their blade against us and our performances this season. Article earlier in the week - I think from the Independent - saying that we’re “quietly having one of the worst Premier League seasons in history”. Almost all of it utterly devoid of the context in how far and fast our assent up the league ladder has been!
