Town's season got off to a dramatic start with a comprehensive 3-1 victory over a very poor Nottingham Forest. Goals from Man of the Match Richard Naylor (18), David Johnson (20) and James Scowcroft (71) put Town into a three goal lead before a dubious 76th minute penalty from Chris Bart-Williams reduced the advantage.
Town started much the better side playing 5-3-2 with both John McGreal and Jermaine Wright making their debuts in the blue shirt and Jamie Scowcorft in an unusual midfield role. Richard Naylor joined David Johnson in attack. Fabian Wilnis was not considered fit enough to start and so Mickey Stockwell deputised. Despite their early dominance Town didn't really create any chances until neat work from Naylor and Johnson saw the number nine take rather too long and fail to score. Naylor was rather too casual with the rebound, which was saved by Mark Crossley.
Town when ahead when a looping Naylor header beat the Forest 'keeper from a deep left-side corner. Two minutes later Naylor put in a neat touch and Johnson through on goal confidnetly hammered past Crossley from distance.
The half continued to be dominated by Town with only a Dougie Freedman shot against the bar being close for Forest.
The second half saw much the same picture with neat work from Town's midfield and strikers and the solidity at the back which made us so frugal last season. Town were denied a clear penalty when Mannini fouled Johnson eight yards out with the striker through on goal. The decision was typical of the performance of referee Phil Richards.
In the 71st minute Town carved their way through the Forest defence with excellent work from Naylor and Johnson leading to a neat finish from Scowcroft to the 'keeper's right.
Forest's goal came when former Town loanee Marlon Harewood appeared to drop too easily from a challenge in the area. Chris Bart-Williams made no mistake from the penalty spot. However, by this stage the game was up for David Platt's men. If I were a Forest supporter I would be extremely worried about acquiring the 'New Manchester City' tag this season.
As for Town a thoroughly excellent display boding well for the future. The first time we have won on the first day of the season since a 3-0 victory at Oldham six years ago. Richard Naylor looked like a man hungry for a regular place in the side and showed that he has much more to his game than the Psycho tendencies so often referred to. His neat interplay with David Johnson and James Scowcroft was a revelation and may be the way forward for Town. Scowcroft played well in midfield, often getting forward and showing some very neat footworlk for a man of his size. At the back Richard Wright was his usual self, as were our back five.
Of the debutants McGreal was probably the better on the day, fully justifying Tony Mowbray's praise earlier in the week. Jermaine Wright showed some neat touches, played some nice passes and made one or two telling tackles.
An excellent start to the season then, with Town already hitting the top of the Division!
R Wright 8 Little to do really
Stockwell 8 Busy as ever (Wilnis 80)
Thetis 8 Typical Manu performance
McGreal 9 Excellent debut, harshly booked
Venus 8 Good forward runs
Scowcroft 9 Classy midfield performance
Holland 8 Back on song straight away
J Wright 7 Moments of class
Johnson 8 Best performance for a while (Axeldal 87)
Naylor 9 Best full game for Town that I can remember