So Much Spent And Lost For So Little - Notes for Forest Friday, 24th Apr 2015 10:30 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday’s game by delving into their forums “Definitely a season to forget”, “How many times have we said that over the years?”, “The summer cannot come quickly enough”, “In the last six games we have had nothing to play for so the players have lost their mojo”, “The battle for ninth is heating up.” Forest arrive at Portman Road on a poor run of form and without a win in six games. Two straight home defeats to Huddersfield and Watford were followed by a 3-3 draw at Blackburn last Saturday. Despite this poor run, many have felt that the team has performed brightly in the last two games. “We are all down at the moment because the season has imploded after such a grand and emotional start”, “For a season which promised so much this has to rank up there with the most disappointing. It has been rarely enjoyable and now we just seem like cannon-fodder for most teams.” “We’re a bang-average mid-table Championship side and seem set to stay that way”, “Our club reeks of player power and the culture of failure. It’s the same year after year”, “At least next season will start with zero expectation”, “This Forest team has to evolve now for the future.” The FFP Embargo“We have lived in the land of milk and honey for far too long. Pretty much every season for the last seven years or more we have spent more than we have earned. What have we achieved with it? Absolutely nothing. Freedman is right. It hasn’t worked. “We fans are as much to blame as anyone. We want ‘names’ and ‘stellar signings’. When it’s not delivered we harass the owner while criticising these ‘lazy and overpaid’ big signings as not being good enough. We demand replacements. The cycle repeats itself and all the while we get poorer. “Freedman knows what he is doing and what he wants and won’t be hamstrung under an embargo. The bonus of an embargo is that we cannot continue to work as we have been. Fans can’t scream for million-pound signings as we can’t legally do it. We have no option but to take a long-term route.” The imposition of the transfer embargo in December has acted as a wake-up call to supporters. It has reduced expectations for next season and forced them to think longer-term. “Hopefully we’ll see some young players coming through next season. That’s the only thing I am holding on to.” Dougie Freedman“As Dougie said, the template now is an Ipswich or a Brentford next season. No more spend, spend, spend but get the best out of what we’ve got. Be cute with freebies and you can be just as competitive”, “Unless we are in serious danger of relegation, Freedman should be let get on with it.” Most fans accept that the former Palace and Bolton boss is “here to keep us up and see out the embargo whilst rebuilding in the process”, “Unless this self-harming cycle of judging managers by too high standards ceases, we’re toast”, “He has done enough to warrant getting the gig full-time.” Despite pleas for patience, this poor run has made a few trigger-fingers itchy. “So Dougie’s run was just the traditional new manager bounce - at Bolton he won the first few games. Then results and performances turned to rubbish”, “He will be gone by the middle of next season at the latest.” “I know new managers need time. There should be no mention of sacking him now but if we don’t win another game this season, questions will have to be asked”, “Watch out Dougie, the keyboard warriors are getting restless”, “It seems like some people have their hands on their daggers.” “My concerns are with the owner and a vocal minority of fans rather than Freedman. If they can hound Stuart Pearce our after seven months what chance does anyone have?” “My fear is that the idiots will be back calling for his head before the leaves are falling off the trees.” FormationFreedman has set the team up in his favourite system with one up front and three men in the centre, two of whom usually screen the back four. “The approach isn’t pleasing to the eye”, No one is suggesting it is good to watch, but it has seen us to the end of the season relatively unscathed.” DarlowFoxHobbsLascellesLichajGardnerLansbury (c)VaughanBarrowAntonioBlackstock
The starting XI last Saturday against Blackburn (above) is close to their strongest XI. Many fans would swap Chris Burke in at right-wing over Modou Barrow and Ben Osborn ahead of the erratic Henri Lansbury or the often-injured David Vaughan in the middle. Danny Fox at left-back is a huge concern. “You could fit a small country between our forwards and midfield”, “The pressing issue lies in central midfield. It looks strong on paper but its inability to travel forward and beat a man together with its lack of creativity is limiting us to counter-attacking out wide.” “If we could slot a Wes Hoolahan-type player into the side we’d be markedly better.” Given their lack of creative play through the centre, many Reds see their team as a counter-attacking outfit with left winger Michail Antonio their most potent weapon. “Our game is based on pace on the counter.” Blackburn 3 - 3 Forest“Well, we wanted an entertaining game”, “A decent result - we actually have created a lot of chances in our past two outings. It’s a shame about the defending and the finishing at times”, “A far better attitude and overall performance from the team put out today.” Forest equalised three times in a lively encounter last Saturday in which Rudy Gestede scored a hat-trick with Forest netting early and late on through Antonio, with Henri Lansbury scoring the second goal. “Who is marking Gestede? It sounds like he’s winning everything.” “The goals conceded were so poor again. It was far too easy for Blackburn. We really need to sort it out next year”, “They put their second away against our wall-of-butter back four”, “Our defending against crosses today has been awful, proper schoolboy defending.” Forest 1 - 3 Watford“Another game that typifies our season - after missing a glut of glorious chances, we compound the misery by conceding a shocking goal”, “We were not too bad going forward but all over the place defensively”, “It was a game we could have won but we didn’t have the brains.” Watford took control of the game with an Odion Ighalo header and a Matthew Connolly strike before the break. Gary Gardner pulled a goal back via a freekick after defender Kelvin Wilson was sent off for tangling with Ighalo, but Almen Abdi secured a comfortable win with a late low drive. “Well, that was dreadful.” “We were clueless at times but at least the effort was there”, “We lost to a team on another level both tactically and ability-wise”, “When we went down to 10, every player seemed to up their game and we were the better team. We looked good for an equaliser but ended up with a sucker punch.” Forest 0 - 1 Huddersfield“A poor match, a poor performance and ultimately it was a deserved loss”, “While we were flicking through the programme, the players were mentally flicking through their holiday brochures”, “I’d give anything to hear Cloughie let loose on this lot.” Forest were beaten by a Sean Scannell strike just before the break last Saturday week. Fans were angered with their team’s lethargic display. “Anyone who thinks we’re a top-six squad or team knows very little about football”, “It was an absolutely abysmal performance.” DarlowFoxHobbsWilsonLichajMancienneLansbury (c)VaughanBurkeAntonioAkpom
“The three sitting midfielders were the problem. Lansbury is not an ‘off the striker’ midfielder. We had no tempo at all, attacking in isolated breaks down the flanks or not at all”, “Stop our wide players and we have nothing”, “Our isolated wingers had no option but to take on the full-backs.” “This was the same team that was dominated by Brentford. It was obvious we were going to lose the midfield and this proved to be the case”, “They were set up wrong. The three chosen were all deep-sitting players. The central midfielders were not close enough to the wingers or the forwards.” Defence“Defensively we are brittle. We don’t go to strikers and close them down. Left-back is a weak spot”, “We need to cut out the individual mistakes at the back”, “Our biggest problem has been conceding too many goals. The defence has conceded as many as Rotherham, and more than Wigan.” Karl Darlow“Darlow has definitely been a huge disappointment.” The 24-year-old keeper “is a liability and I can’t wait to get rid of him”, “He’s rather average. It’s just that he has had a decent defence in front of him making him look good. He has been sound out this season”, “I can’t see him replacing Krul.”  Newcastle signed the Forest youth product in the summer and loaned him back for the season. “I have just seen the Blackburn goals. What was Darlow doing for the first?”, “Two of Watford’s goals were down to poor keeping as well”, “He really has gone downhill.” “Darlow pulls out a few good saves but those tend to be close range shots. Anything from distance and he is in the wrong position all the time. He used to claim some good crosses but even this seems to have left him”, “Never have I seen a keeper that cannot physically kick a ball. His head has gone.” “Eric Lichaj struggles against pace on occasion but is a solid Championship right-back in his own right.” The 26-year-old former Aston Villa man “sticks to what he’s good at, and that is defending”, “I do wish he could cross. While he is a solid man-marker, going forward he’s woeful.” The USA international “can be vulnerable against pace and trickery but mostly sticks to his task”, “Defensively Lichaj is one of the best full-backs in the league. The number of crossed he blocks is amazing”, “He’s at his best when tight on players, giving them a shove and taking the ball off them.” “Todd Kane is very good going forward but I’m not convinced defensively.” The 21-year-old right-back and Chelsea loanee “gets caught out way too forward up the pitch at times”, “He shows real composure on the ball”, “He doesn’t panic when under pressure and you can see his class.” “Scannell is doing Danny Fox too easily”, “When we talk about naïve defending, Fox has been the definition of that all season.” The 28-year-old former Southampton left-back “has been abysmal. He doesn’t tackle, has no pace and has the positional sense of an infant. Get him out of the team.” “Fox is a bloody liability”, “He’s an embarrassment”, “In case you are reading this Mr Fox, we were the team playing in red today. His passing was woeful and he was at fault for Scannell’s goal”, “His famous diagonal quarterback ball to no one has made a reappearance”, “Not-so-fantastic Mr Fox.” With Kelvin Wilson suspended after his red card against Watford, Jamaal Lascelles returned to the starting XI against Blackburn. The 21-year-old “will become the real deal when he believes in himself and starts playing more naturally, not being afraid to try a pass or attempt a tackle like as he is now”. The former youth player has also been loaned back by Newcastle for the season but lacks confidence and is playing within himself. “Lascelles is not helped by horrific full-backs and a midfield constantly caught out on the counter-attack”, “He’s at his best with the reassuring and commanding Hobbs.” Jack Hobbs“When fit, Jack Hobbs is our best big centre-half. The big caveat is ‘when fit’.” The 26-year-old former Leicester and Hull man “is a vital part of the defence”, “We’re a much better team with a fit Hobbs. He’s a defensive mountain”, “We need his leadership, organisation and aerial presence.”  “I was surprised to see Hobbs start a third game in a row at Blackburn and surprised we conceded those aerial goals with him and Lascelles at the back”, “He’s great when facing up but can be suspect on the turn”, “Jack is a leader and a real presence on the pitch, organising, cajoling and guiding.” Central Midfield“The central midfield area is a major problem”, “Our midfield needs to move around a little more”, “We are just so pedestrian, it’s dreadful”, “The midfield hasn’t a clue what to do with the ball in the final third. There is nothing created out of the ordinary to gain a step on the opposition.” “With the central midfield reluctant to move forward with the ball at their feet, every pass is so long that it becomes somewhat speculative”, “We miss Guedioura”, “No Andy Reid means no real creativity or control in the middle. They don’t move, support each other or show for the ball.” “Ben Osborn has broken through and has been a shining light in a mediocre season. Mr Consistent.” The 20-year-old youth product “seems like one of those players who has the ball under his complete control”, “He’s smart in and around the box. He’s too creative in thought and skill to play too deep.” “Osborn looks slicker than Lansbury. He’s more inventive in his link-up play. His ball-carrying skills and comfort in possession enables us to play out of our own half”, “His dead ball delivery is quality”, “He needs to do more in terms of grabbing a game by the scruff of the neck but that will come.” “David Vaughan seems a thing of the past. We don’t have anyone in the squad to control midfield.” The 32-year-old ex-Sunderland man “has the passing range but is easily knocked off the ball. Some of his freekicks are awful”, “Injuries have taken their toll, but when he initially arrived he was quality.” “I wonder how many games it will take Dougie to realise that Michael Mancienne is not a defensive midfielder.” The 27-year-old former Chelsea and Hamburg man “is just too tentative in midfield”, “He is clearly the best defender at the club by quite a margin”, “At least he puts in an honest shift.” “When Mancienne plays in midfield, we have very little of the ball. His movement and passing are mediocre. He then sits too deep and the rest of the midfield drops back too much as well. He protects the centre-backs to some extent but it is all in vain as we get bombarded in our own area.” Gary Gardner“What the hell are Villa doing loaning Gardner out to us? He should be in their team.” The 22-year-old “rarely sprints around. He just sits in front of the back four, picking up and nullifying the number 10”, “For such an inexperienced player he’s very level-headed and reads the game well.” “Gardner’s not afraid to receive the ball in tight areas and he rarely loses possession. What is does is deceptively simple and done with a touch of class.” He did not play in the Huddersfield defeat. “He is the heartbeat of our midfield. We are otherwise very ordinary in the centre”, “Our Matic”. “Holding midfielder is not his natural position as he himself said. He’s a box-to-box midfielder”, “His naturally better defensively. He’s a good technician in a role with no time on the ball. He is very good under pressure and has a good touch. He’s calm, plays with his head up and always looks for a pass.” Henri Lansbury“Lansbury fails to perform regularly enough”, “He’s just not consistent enough over a season to be a real asset”, “He’s a match-winner when he turns up but that is getting to the point of hardly ever”, “His apathetic approach hardly defines leadership”, “A large ego and a suspect mentality.”  The 24-year-old former Arsenal man divides opinion. “Lansbury is quite possibly our best player. Anyone who thinks we are better off without him is deluded”, “He has talent but is reckless and lacks discipline. Ultimately it’s holding him back and he’s not captain material either.” “For a team that likes to play on the counter, Lansbury’s European tempo may be holding us back.” Some feel that he is struggling as a playmaker. “He doesn’t have the eye for creative link-up play and his Hollywood passes rarely connect either. He operates better from a deeper-lying position.” Wide Midfield“Modou Barrow is lightning fast and clearly likes step-overs.” The 22-year-old joined on loan from Swansea last month. “He doesn’t have the strength of Antonio but seems to have the pace and trickery of Burke”, “He looks fast and skilful and gives us variation going forward.” “Chris Burke is my favourite player, but he lost his way totally when Pearce reined in the full-backs.” The 31-year-old ex-Birmingham right winger “has been great at times, but has spent large periods being anonymous”, “Full-backs don’t know whether to stick or twist when he is running at them.” “Burke was the only forward offering a threat against Huddersfield but once he beat his man his targets consisted of a scrawny lad and an exhausted winger”, “He created some lovely opportunities but they ended up going to waste”, “He ended up cutting in and shooting poorly on repeat.” Michail Antonio“Sell Antonio and you will lose a lot of season ticket holders.” The 25-year-old former Owl “can get a result out of nothing through his sheer individual brilliance”, “A pacey winger with a few tricks up his sleeve”, “Keeping him is crucial. If he goes, we will struggle next year unless we can root out a gem.”  “Antonio is one of our most entertaining players. When he gets the ball you’re off your seat wondering what he’s going to try. It doesn’t always work but he has the skill and the application and is brutally effective”, “He thrives on pressure and is one of the best players we have had in years.” “He can appear to be running on empty before coming to life suddenly and producing something spectacular. He’s a strong character who can go either side of the full-back with pace and power and he scores frequently”, “Look at how often opponents change their set-up to deal with him.” Strikers“We don’t have a sustained attacking game to take to anyone”, “We don’t create enough clear-cut chances for our strikers”, “A 25-year-old Thierry Henry couldn’t score with the service we give our strikers”, “We actually created as much as Watford but had no cutting edge.” With Britt Assombalonga out long-term with a knee injury and Lars Veldwijk “ineffective at just about everything” and “a poor man’s Andrea Silenzi”, Forest are short of strikers. Dexter Blackstock has been supported by talented teenagers Tyler Walker and Arsenal loan signing Chuba Akpom. “Tyler Walker is talented but he’s not ready to start games at this point.” The 18-year-old youth product “isn’t a lone striker and not physically big enough to play that role”, “His touch, movement and finishing are very good”, “He is very composed, has quick feet and a striker’s instinct.” “Walker’s pace is not his strength and aerially he is not as good as Blackstock, but his shooting power is stronger with both feet”, “He can drop deep and link play, but he doesn’t stretch defences by running in behind or in the channels”, “He reminds me of David McGoldrick at a similar age.” “Chuba Akpom needs to get his head up a bit more when outside the area running at goal. There have been better options occasionally and he decides to go it alone.” The 19-year-old Arsenal loan signing “is not a specialist hold-up striker and will struggle with no service in the current set-up”. “Akpom has pace and strength, something defenders hate to face”, “He’s obviously not a target man but is lively with great control and turns, looking to run at defenders”, “He’s strong and fast and has the makings of a good forward.” Dexter Blackstock“I love Dexter’s effort and enthusiasm as it is infectious, but with Assombalonga out until three-quarters into next season he will simply not fill the void of goals we are missing”, “Right now he’s an asset and has softened the blow of losing Britt”, “A great contributor and a Forest hero in my book.”  The 28-year-old former QPR man “can bash holes in defences with his physicality to create space for oncoming midfielders and feed off rebounds”, “The kind of forward defenders hate playing against because he drags them all over the place. He cannot be faulted for effort and never shirks.” “I cannot praise Dexter highly enough for how he has fought back from a couple of dreadful injuries. He’s just not carrying the goal threat that the club needs”, “We need cover for Dex, someone with pace, strength and mobility to act as a pivot for attacks from midfield.” Forest Fans’ Views on ITFC and the GameWith little to play for, most supporters are apathetic about the game. Some think that our approach will suit Forest’s style of play. “Ipswich will come after us and play straight into our counter-attacking hands”, “A tight game until Ipswich throw everybody forward and we score twice on the counter.” “Keep Daryl Murphy quiet. That's all”, “It’s winnable, but our centre-backs will have to get closer to Murphy than they did to Gestede.” Our leading scorer is widely seen as the main threat, but they also have been a little more polite about our exiles this time round. “I'd begrudge Forest rejects Luke Chambers, David McGoldrick and Paul Anderson anything”, “The last time we were actually good, they were in the team. Think about that for a second”, “We so often don't know what we had until it's gone.” WebsitesThe busiest Forest message board is the LTLF Forest Forum.
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