You've left out Alex Bruce. If he doesn't play, the world will end. There will always be a place for Alex Bruce, it's in his contract. Despite the fact that he hasn't really been as good as Faye or McShane this season in defence. Or as good as Meyler, Quinn, Koren, Cairney or Evans in midfield. Seriously, Bruce joked about nepotism at the time of his signing, but he does seem to find a reason to play him. Fair play, it's paid off when it's needed to, but with Fathi waiting in the wings, just what does Alex Bruce (a central defender) bring to the team playing in the DM position? We have plenty of players who can feature in that particular position, but we continue to play somebody who can tackle. And not much else. He can't play a ball, he can't man mark in midfield and his overall distribution is a bit crap. In defence, he's solid. In a role he hasn't played ever in his career, he isn't very good and there are serious question marks as to why he keeps playing in that position.
That would be my line up too, except Fathi played the full 90 against Mansfield in mid-week so I'd expect SB to keep Alex as DMF and give Fathi the starting job against Huddersfield where he should really shine. Hope Gedo is fit to go!!
For me I'd try my best to keep Meyler out of the DMF role - less chance of a card when he's attacking!!
Hull City are the home team so the answer to this is a simple one, imo. Same as Burnley except Robert Koren back in for Alex Bruce. Meyler to play the midfield sitting role. Job done.
I'm all for seeing Fathi start soon - he looked good when he came on against Palace. And what's the worst that can happen? If he's rubbish, just take him off! Think Koren will be brought back to the starting line-up for Bruce, but I would like to see this, might be a bit too attaking though: ------------Stockdale-------------- -----Chester----Hobbs------McShane Elmo----Boyd----Meyler-----Quinn-----Brady ----------Simpson---------Gedo------------
It will be nice to see the away end Almost full for a change. Shame that they shall need there tissues @ 5pm. Looking at the teams Forest have played and the Team that Billy Davies puts out its hard to judge just how good or bad Forest really are ? Even Billy Sharp can hardly geta kick now.
Due to the state of the Udders pitch and with the massive Watford game 4 days later I would keep the likes of Fathi, Evans, Bruce jnr for that game. No way can our brand of football be played at Udders. Our key players especially the ones just back from the International break should be rested @ Udders, imo. Hoofball will be the order of the day sadly. Makes the KC pitch look like a snooker table.
Our key players, especially the key international players should start the game @ Huddersfield. It is a massive 3 points up for grabs as we are in a very tight promotion battle!
Forest fan here in peace. We're playing well. Don't underestimate the teams we've played. Wednesday were 7 unbeaten, Wolves had just come off a massive win and Charlton away is never easy. We smashed Huddersfield too, 6 going on 16 with a bit of luck. The red cards were by and large earned by running rings round them, so it's harsh to use them to detract from our performances. Our team will be: Darlow - Young keeper, not put a foot wrong yet Jara - Prem quality right back Collins - Ageing defender, experience but not much mobility Ward - Decent, but nothing special Cohen - Excellent at everything he ever tries Guedioura - The best midfielder in the league Lansbury - Capable of utter class, but only when he can be bothered. 3 goals in 6 games Majewski - Classy, but lightweight. 5 goals in 6 games Reid - The second best midfielder in the league Henderson - Old, a bit of a lump but he wins headers Cox/Sharp - Both class, but don't score very often You might think my Guedioura and Reid ratings are a bit homerish and it might be a slight exaggeration, but they are genuinely that good and both definitely in the top 5. We've got arguably the best midfield in the league, it's up front that isn't performing. We've been very good and clinical lately, but this is a big test and will shape our season. You're beatable, we were the better team at the CG earlier this season but were (to be fair) cheated out of at least a point. Seems like you've come into your own lately though. Good luck, atmosphere ought to be amazing.
Sir that's bullshit. You got a kind penalty and McShane's 'handball' that everyone was foaming about was based on a ridiculous camera angle from about 70 yards behind him that simply showed the ball went close to him. It really wasn't that unjust. I know you're a decent side now, but that win in December wasn't luck or anything that was you being poor and us being organised and disciplined enough to beat a poor side without being great ourselves. I said at the time it was one of the worst games I'd seen this season and that remains the case. As for our team. This is what I expect and hope to see: Stockdale Chester Hobbs McShane Elmo Meyler Bruce Quinn Brady Gedo Boyd I would agree with the argument about Bruce in midfield but we don't really have an alternative. Yeah you could throw Koren in there but based on the last few games he doesn't even look interested. Like that kid in Sunday league who's a bit chilly and just wants to go home. Fathi you'd think would be the natural pick for that position, but there must be a reason SB isn't picking him.
I'm not the blind, bitter type that you see a lot in football. I'm well and truly over the defeat but you surely can't deny you got a little lucky? Koren (i believe) went down exceptionally easily for your penalty and he did put the winner in with his hand. It wasn't a game we deserved to lose. Believe it or not, i'm not sure i'd even count it in the worst 3 games i've seen all season. Life under McLeish was THAT bad.
Guedioura and Reid aren't the best 2 midfielders in the league, possibly the most biased argument I've seen on here, ever. PS You're very beatable too.
Just send a team out to rip Notts Forest (they don't like this, do they?) a new arsehole. Start with the side that thrashed Birmingham.
Reid - The second best midfielder in the league Does the fat pigmy still wear spray on kits? Second best midfielder
Dont agree at all. That game could cost us a few key players for the more Vital Watford game 4 days later. But TWT. As for the Forest game SB is saying that his key decision is about bringing Koren back in. Forest have problems with there defence and also Billy Sharp and Darius Henderson are doubts and so is starting striker Dexter Blackstock ? Info from SSN website.
It was David Meyler who actually went down for our penalty that day. Yes i agree it was a soft one but nowhere near as the soft one that Sharp converted for you guys so that was 1-1 in bad decisions. The McShane goal was a goal and no way hand ball. Well done on your recent success and my hope is that you finish the season in style ""after today"" and help drop Lesta out of the top 6 on the final day of the season. Today will be a game played in the wet if the weatherman has got it correct. Then it becomes a lottery sadly.
This will be our side... Stockdale - Best 'keeper in the league Chester- Pure, pure class, best defender in the league Hobbs- Solid defender McShane - Super Paul McShane... Elmohamady - Best wing back in the league. Brilliant. Meyler - Is a great box to box midfielder. Koren - His form this season hasn't been great, but he's our captain and has the ability to win a game. Quinn- Brilliant. Just runs and runs and runs. Brady - Has been a great signing. He has bags of potential and is a vast improvement on what he was like last season. Boyd- Blind. Gedo- Great start. Quick, workhorse and a natural finisher/goal poacher; something we haven't had in a while!
and we are so confident we will only play with 10 to give you a sporting chance! sneaky -- the 11th came on while I wasn't watching.
Oh no of course it doesn't help what so ever to be playing 11 against 10 or 9 does it. Yer right muppet
It was Meyler and he was brought down with a clear challenge as he was running towards goal. Compare that to the Sharp penalty where he was going nowhere, back to goal, spotted a naiive defender's leg nearby and went over it by choice. You shouldn't ever be allowed a penalty by choosing to go down IMO. A penalty should be a consolation for being fouled, not something you opt to have instead of trying to score in open play. The McShane thing, we'll never really know. But I just don't see how everyone at your end was so 'sure' he punched it in. I had probably the best view of it possible, far better than the pointless camera shots that emerged afterwards, and it wasn't even clear that McShane had scored. There was a defender right next to him and they both threw themselves at it and it ended up in the net.
