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Dark Days Are Coming To The Shire — Notes for Forest
Friday, 28th Mar 2014 10:17 by HarryFromBath

HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Saturday's game by delving into their forums.

"Christ, it really is a trial following this football club", "I have had girlfriends who are easier to understand than Forest", "No manager in their right mind would come near us", "Forest are like a bad-tempered eight-year-old at school", "We wouldn't win the League Two play-offs with this lot."

"It seems like the atmosphere created by Davies over the past few months is lingering behind", "There's so much venom, but I don't think anyone knows who to aim it at", "This club is in complete disarray", "We are lunging from one disaster to another."

Forest come into Saturday's game without a win in their last nine league and cup games. Many fans believe that their season is fast disintegrating with the sacking of Billy Davies and the removal of his coaching entourage in the wake of last Saturday's catastrophic 5-0 loss to the Rams.

Billy's Last Stand

"I have an awful feeling of dread and foreboding", "Let's face it. We may get a pasting", "Dreading this", "This is going to be embarrassing. We're going to get smashed 5-0, dumped out of the play-offs and Davies sacked", "I really fear for us today. This has the makings of a hammering."

Many fans saw the Derby rout coming, and knew where the danger would lie. "I can't see how Derby aren't going to run the midfield", "We have no spine to our team", "There is no leadership on the pitch and no goalscorers, 11 players in a different formation each week."

"Routed by the sheep", "We have players who are so poor technically or so old that every 50:50 is lost and every option taken is poor", "I can't believe how deep we are and how much time and space we are giving them", "We look so disorganised. They're moving the ball around so easily in our half."

"Five-bastard-nil against Derby. I can't believe it", "I knew this would be bad, but this is inconceivably atrocious", "I can't see the team recovering from this result to make the play-offs", "I have never felt so embarrassed to be a Forest fan in my life."

The Anatomy of a Break-Up

"Barnsley was unbearable to watch. We had absolutely nothing against a woeful team", "Doncaster was one of the poorest performances by the team and manager that I have ever witnessed." The break-up warning signs were clear for everyone to see in poor performances earlier this month.

"Against Doncaster there was no direction on the pitch or system of playing, just bizarre tactics. He was playing people out of position. Constantly tinkering and far too cautious", "We are completely drained of creativity", "Tactically he has been a dinosaur."

"Our injury crisis has happened because Wilson, Hobbs, Lichaj and Reid were injured, played one game on their return and are now out for a hell of a lot longer. It's definitely too frequent to be put down to bad luck." Many supporters blame Davies's management for rushing players back too soon.

"The reserve team he's had to put out lately cost £7 million", "He was a bang average manager with an awesome squad." His clash with the owner over ‘transfer policy' issues was the final straw for many fans. "He cannot claim he wasn't adequately backed. It's time we got this odious man out of our club."

"Billy Davies had left this club in a state of martial law", "He has squandered any affection or loyalty with his ridiculous antics and all that's left is a cold pragmatism", "He's petulant and totally paranoid", "I've grown rather weary of the man", "It's a sad day. He was our Di Canio."

Fawaz Al Hasawi

"Fawaz [Forest's owner] comes across as having unrealistic and inflated expectations. I understand he's hugely ambitious, but the ruthlessness, lack of empathy and lack of willingness to accept a bad run of games is costing us hugely."

"Panicking that the big investment is not going to result in our expectations being met has led to failure this season", "We have no board, no manager, no head scout and no coaches. Fawaz has been here two years and sacked a lot of people without replacing them."

"Fawaz must be gutted. He is learning how cut-throat football is in this country very quickly. He gets Billy back to the adulation of fans and was put under massive pressure by the same fans to relieve him of his job", "Everything he does ends up going wrong".

Forest 0 — 1 Charlton

"Last night was heart-breaking. There were so many mistakes, errors and missed communications. We didn't look like Nottingham Forest. It was horrible to watch", "We looked a shambles tonight. Too many of them looked like a team of uninterested mercenaries."

Saturday's Derby defeat was calamitous, but the season's nadir was reached on Tuesday night after the Addicks' 81st minute match-winner. "The players arguing were a shocking sight, especially Jara and Mackie who squared up to each other after Charlton scored."

"That was the worst performance since Megson, bar none", "My God, that was awful", "What an absolute disgrace", "The squad has fallen apart in a few weeks", "They score and our players are fighting among themselves. Our season is slowly rotting away."

"What a game to choose to watch", "I felt quite sick watching the game at the end. You could see it had been brewing for a long time and the players haven't a clue what to do", "We were flat and looked shell-shocked. We could not even do the basics right."

Confidence

"We are exactly like Manchester United under David Moyes, too afraid of losing to be able to win", "There's no urgency and the players look unhappy", "The squad is in tatters", "Nobody is there to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and pull the team through."

"We're in turmoil. Our confidence is shot and we have no leaders on the field or off it", "When Charlton got among the team after half-time, I was amazed to see how fast the confidence drained out of the players."

"The team is bereft of confidence. They were like this well before Billy's departure so nobody can blame that on tonight's exhibition [against Charlton]", "Our better players look a shadow of their best. They'll be frightened to go near the ball at Ipswich on Saturday."

Gary Brazil

"Did anyone seriously expect [youth coach] Gary Brazil to turn around a team that's in a shocking state of anarchy and demoralisation?", "We need a leader who can bollock, inspire and unite this team of moping, stroppy idiots."


"Gary was useless [against Charlton] on the touchline. We were giving possession away and he was doing nothing. We might as well have had nobody out there", "There were some bizarre tactical decisions tonight", "He's nobody's guy, the poor bloke, but there's nobody else at the moment."

Billy Davies's Successor

"I'm sure that Hoddle would consider us if approached. We are up there with Leeds as the biggest club in this division." A poll on one message board shows fans backing three main candidates, with Malky Mackay ahead of Gianfranco Zola and Glenn Hoddle by a small majority.

Former Forest player and ITFC manager Roy Keane polled 1.6% of the votes. "Keane and Stuart Pearce as coaches sounds like a punch up waiting to happen", "Keane is too high risk with his quick-fire signings. His temper and attitude are worse than Davies's", "A footballing legend, but a woeful manager."

Defence

"Our defence is lethargic and pathetic, and this concerns me most. There is a real lack of pressing, tracking runners and marking. It's basic stuff. We are missing some real quality in the backline, but we're talking about fundamental defending basics."

"When our defenders had the ball at Derby there was pressure. When theirs had it, there was none. They just ran and passed it to whoever they liked because we were sat too deep", "We sat so deep for Barnsley's winning goal. It's been like that for most goals we've conceded this season."

"Karl Darlow is a young keeper learning. You can't expect him to be too polished", "You could see the confidence drain from him after Charlton scored", "Why can't he stop shots from outside the box?", "We were beaten by Barnsley because he was beaten from distance, again."

Karl Darlow

The 23-year-old youth product conceded a penalty for Derby's fifth goal last Saturday. "How slow was Darlow? He must be having nightmares at the moment." Maybe the defence needs a more imposing voice behind them like [ex-Wolves] reserve keeper Dorus de Vries."

"Danny Fox looks like he's going through the motions", "He's a tidy player when he's got time but he's slow and blatantly can't defend." The 27-year-old left-back joined on loan from Southampton in January.

"Fox doesn't try to get close to his man", "He appears to stroll around the pitch contributing little." Several Reds suggested replacing the 30-year-old with former Ipswich man Dan Harding, who hasn't featured under Davies.

"Danny Collins is past his best, and obviously isn't up to scratch." The 33-year-old former Stoke centre-back played on loan for the Blues in 2011. "He's not behaving like the leader he should be", "He was ball watching for Derby's second goal", "He's an ageing, albeit game professional."

Danny Collins v Murphy

"Ah, a comforting Collins hoof. Normal service is resumed." The Wales international's distribution is criticised. "Well done Collins. Long balls over the midfield to try to find the diminutive Simon Cox. Well done you!"

With Jamaal Lascelles suspended for Saturday's game, Kevin Gomis, a loan signing from Nice is expected to partner Collins. The "hungry combative" 25-year-old played in the Barnsley defeat. "Gomis was a donkey. He couldn't even make contact with the ball, missing it several times."

Former Pompey man Greg Halford played at right-back against the Addicks. The 29-year-old "is like that kid you never bothered marking at school because he was rubbish", "He made some decent runs into space yet nobody passed to him, and sometimes he wouldn't run when a pass was made."

New loan signing Lee Peltier is expected to debut at right-back. Little is known of him, but his captaincy of the Whites was noted. "Hopefully he can bring some badly needed leadership to the side."

Central Midfield

"The injury to Henri Lansbury was the straw that broke the camel's back", "We miss Reidy's leadership", "Since Andy Reid went down, we've barely scored and garnered one point." The loss of these influential midfielders has disrupted the balance of the team more than any other loss.

"What a terrible line-up. Two holding defensive midfielders at home against relegation-threatened Charlton", "Our central midfield presence in their half will be non-existent, which will invite pressure on." Gonzalo Jara and Jonathan Greening failed to offer any creative impetus on Tuesday night.

"Against Charlton [when Forest played a 4-4-2 system], the central midfielders were too far away from the strikers and wide men. It was like we had three different teams out there, with nothing linking them together. There was no support on or off the ball."

"Jonathan Greening's great at dictating possession when the opposition aren't up to much. When the opposition have possession and we need to press, he's not your man." The former Baggie "simply does not fulfil what is expected of a central midfielder", "He's the grim reaper of football".

Jonathan Greening v Martyn Waghorn

The 35-year-old "was very handy against Doncaster, when he had time to light a cigar before picking a pass, but against Derby he was swamped, negative and utterly useless without the ball", "His lack of energy in midfield is costing us badly."

Guy Moussi was substituted at half-time last Saturday and dropped altogether from Tuesday's squad. The 29-year-old French player "watched Bryson go past him for Derby's second goal", "If Moussi ever, ever plays in a Forest shirt again, I will haunt his dreams".

"Radoslaw Majewski looks burned out to me", "He's mostly been anonymous in games", "He looked bright for 20 minutes against Derby and then faded", "He was being pulled wide by Derby's movement", "He's too lightweight and doesn't follow his man."

The 27-year-old Poland international has struggled as a playmaker when the Reds have played 4-2-3-1, as they did against the Rams. "No-one has the confidence to pass to him because he's so weak and feeble. He has stayed on the periphery of games, then fading."

Gonzalo Jara

"I feel sorry for Jara. He's a decent player but doesn't know if he's coming or going at the moment. Playing at right-back and holding midfielder in alternate weeks is not ideal." The 28-year-old Chile international "was given a Reidy's role on the ball [against Charlton], and couldn't handle it."

Gonzalo Jara was slated for his performance at right back at Derby. "I witnessed a performance which had zero effort, passion and commitment in the biggest game of the season. No tackles, no effort, nothing", "He won the award for worst performance I've seen at this level by any player."

He has his supporters. "At least Jara tries to make things happen", "He gave the ball away too much and was caught in possession", "He was one of the few to show for the ball time and again. He was looking for players and everyone was running away from him or hiding behind opponents."

Wide Midfield

"The wide men are too far away and leave the team fragmented. There's little movement. Everything's too static. The full-backs don't join in and the wide men don't offer enough."

Jamie Paterson

"Jamie was the only one seemingly trying to create something against Derby today. He took on their right-back Andre Wisdom quite a lot and often beat him. The 22-year-old ex-Walsall man "has been our shining light this season", "His crosses are consistently of a good quality".

"We've been relying on him too much to make a difference in games and he's only a young lad. He must be mentally exhausted", "He was on the bench against Charlton because of burn-out. He needed a rest, and could be a useful impact player at this stage of the season."

"He has looked short of confidence recently. He has been getting the ball, turning and passing, and trying less of his skilful play", "Nevertheless, he was the only player posing a threat to Derby."

Jamie Mackie

"What do people see in Mackie? All I see is him running down the right wing, into the nearest pack of defenders. He doesn't look up", "He has very little footballing ability. One million pounds for a fitness instructor is a lot of money", "His lack of technique is an embarrassment."

"Mackie isn't a winger. He doesn't hit the by-line and whip crosses in, and when he tries, his crosses aren't good enough. Our right side is just toothless", "He has a great ability to break down his own teams play as well as the oppositions", "If he wasn't so fast, he'd be a league two player."

The 28-year-old ex-QPR man and Scotland international was criticised for his part in Tuesday's confrontation with Jara. "He had no right to have a go at him. He was completely rubbish himself. His movement is non-existent, and his instincts and reactions have gone awol."

Strikers

"With a non-existent midfield like ours, any forward in the world would struggle." When Forest have played two strikers, they have been isolated from their primarily defensive midfield.

One up front has similarly failed due to a lack of support, and they also don't have a striker who can naturally play the lone strikers role for a full game. One goal in the last five games tells its own story.

"Darius Henderson is limited but useful." The former Millwall striker "is a 32-year-old combative donkey", "He should play alongside Cox. It should help Cox to have a big target-man to play-off", "He won't take any crap from any opponent", "It's saying something that he's our only striker who looks like scoring."

Simon Cox

"Cox has been hung out to dry playing as a lone striker. He's always been a second striker, coming from deep", "He drops into midfield, meaning that we have nobody in the box for crosses", "Playing him up front is playing six in midfield."

"I've seen him play calmly before, with a fantastic touch and the ability to score spectacular goals. It doesn't help that his confidence is shot to pieces." The 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international definitely has the ability. His technique has deserted him and he's trying too hard to do too much."

"What doesn't help is ‘witty' people ironically cheering Cox off." The former West Brom striker "is getting the McGoldrick treatment, when he could be great at this level", "Why do we always do this to our strikers?" "How will berating him help our cause?"

Forest Fans' Views on ITFC and the Game

"I've got a £30 bet with an Ipswich fan at work that we'll finish higher than them. A banker a few weeks ago, but that bet's going down the pan. They'll beat us on Saturday. I fear it will be another mauling." Forest supporters are in an extremely fatalistic mood about Saturday's game.

"There will be a lot more pain this season, starting on Saturday when Ipswich hit us for another big score", "I can only see a loss and a big one at that, 4-0 Ipswich", "Predicted result with this team? 6-1 to Ipswich", "Looks like another right pasting to me", "I bet the players are dreading it."

"We will lose this easily, and probably heavily, without any midfielders coming in on loan, and if the team plays like the last two games. There will be no respite", "We will lose I'm afraid. We haven't even hit the bottom yet. I had written the play-offs off a few weeks ago."

"You have to fancy Ipswich to win, they just beat Derby and we are in relegation form", "I'm going to predict a 3-0 win for the Tractor Boys. If you have no expectations you'll never be disappointed", "I don't even know what starting XI to pick", "At least McGoldrick can't score."

Websites

The busiest Forest message board is the LTLF Forum.


Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.



Rentaghost added 10:23 - Mar 28
Are Phil and Gav paying you for your hardwork. Dont take their first offer.
13

StuartBrett8 added 10:39 - Mar 28
Sounds like they're in freefall, can't wait for tomorrow :)

Top work as usual Harry :)
6

ntoms97 added 10:54 - Mar 28
Hahahah here's hoping that puts Forest off tomorrow, could be Sam Allardyce v Hull all over again
2

gazzmac4 added 10:54 - Mar 28
This is a fantastic opportunity to take 9 points in a week right at the business end of the season. I would have been absolutely chuffed with 5-6 points from these 3 so to be in with a real shout of all 9 is fantastic.

I think Mick will stick with the same winning formula again but if there is to be any changes then maybe Hyam drops to the bench for Skuse (there it is). Absolutely buzzing for this! COYB's
4

dirtyboy added 10:55 - Mar 28
I'm just cautiously optimistic.

We've seen it all too often, a wounded animal is very dangerous and we should by no means expect to win tomorrow.

Fingers crossed we do though.
4

StowTractorBoy added 10:59 - Mar 28
I am taking all of this doom and gloom with a pinch of salt as Ipswich Town are often the fall guys when it comes to ending the oppositions' bad run. Millwall (A) and Blackpool at home come to mind. Talking of us scoring 5 or 6 is not going to happen in the way we set up our team. Henderson is always a pain to us and Cox is a dangerous striker. Mackie is also capable of causing us problems. Only my opinion but this game could be a banana skin. 1-0 to Town will do me nicely.
3

TR11BLU added 11:10 - Mar 28
Dont 'expect' to win tomorrow but lets be honest, after the last two results we should be full of confidence and fully up for it. Lets get at them from the off and who knows, we could win comfortably.
Fighting amongst themselves after the charlton goal, should be in MM's team talk. Lets rattle them....COYB Boys!!!
2

ericclacton added 11:11 - Mar 28
Yes a huge banana skin for us, never underestimate any side ever.
Good notes Harry.
9

Tractamatt added 11:25 - Mar 28
Harry great stuff, yes we should win easily but must be careful of the wounded animal syndrome and make sure we don't get caught out by our own confidence otherwise 3-0 to the blues and we'll continue marching on.COYB
3

Steve_M added 11:32 - Mar 28
Danny Collins getting caught ball-watching? That sounds familiar.
2

jas0999 added 11:41 - Mar 28
Thanks Harry, this is always an excellent read.
2

AbujaBlue added 11:48 - Mar 28
"We are exactly like Manchester United... "
Pockets of delusion still exist in the Forest forums.

Great work as usual, Harry.
4

Alwaysablue added 12:01 - Mar 28
I hope Chambo scores, their fans used him as a scapegoat the last season he was there, really hope he does.
8

NoCanariesAllowed added 12:04 - Mar 28
I'm glad we're playing them when we are, but as others have said, there's still cause for caution, especially as we've been caught out by out-of-form teams several times this season. Forest didn't get into this part of the table for nothing this season, and confidence can turn surprisingly quickly as we've found recently. I seem to recall Henderson's had a few against us over the years, Cox is a player many of us wanted for years, and I'm hoping Paterson isn't gonna give Chambers the same hassle it sounds like he gave Andre Wisdom.

That being said, I'm looking forward to coming down for this game, and it could be significant if we do win it. I don't think I've ever been to three successive Town wins, so given I've done Birmingham at home and Brighton away before this, there might not be a better chance with the comparative momentum of the two sides. Hope there is a decent crowd too - a shame not to join in the buzz that's been going on around Portman Road this week.

Oh, and top notch again, Harry. It's as if you're our scout for the opposition fans!
8

Surco72 added 13:03 - Mar 28
Good work Harry , always look forward to a Friday read .
Can we dare to dream of 9 points from playoff rivals in a week !!!
2

TractorBeezer added 13:08 - Mar 28
Excellent stuff Harry and m much appreciated. We need to be confident but not complacent.
2-0 for the Tractor Boys.
3

TractorBoy666 added 13:13 - Mar 28
Just seen this on their forum

Horrible feeling Ipswich are going to come through and win The Playoffs.

A Playoff semi final of Ipswich v Derby would be my worst nightmare as I would need them both to loose.

I do wish I had that sort of optimism! I'd just be happy to be in the play offs again with something to get excited about and the who knows. Nice read again Harry, well done!
3

awayfan added 13:27 - Mar 28
Excellent as always Harry. Thanks
1

PeekFreans added 14:40 - Mar 28
5-0 no problem
2

BlueandTruesince82 added 15:50 - Mar 28
Just a win, by hook, crook or hammering. Just a win!

We do need be careful here, they are not mugs. Let's hope there is no appointment in time for a half time team talk.

COYB
1

Garv added 15:56 - Mar 28
Town 3 Forest 5, Barnsley style. I can see it now.
-1

bring_back_Wickham added 16:02 - Mar 28
Always a good sign when the opposition are predicting 4-0 town
1

Seasider added 16:09 - Mar 28
One Derby fan predicted 4-0 but to Ipswich.This could be our first and possibly only big win of season so would take this result especially as goal difference could be important at end of season;but recall watching home draws against Barnsley Blackpool and Wednesday who were all struggling at the time but not to the same extent as managerless Forest.
Heartened by the fact that three correspondents on hear have mentioned coming to match which they do infrequently,so am hopeful of a VERY GOOD crowd 2moro.
1

LankHenners added 16:22 - Mar 28
Sounds like they could be there for the taking, hopefully we'll take full advantage of that! Although we have a horrible record of helping teams to re-find their form.
1

ipswichboi added 16:49 - Mar 28
Hmm. Let's get excited after the game...

Hopefully they don't bother bringing any away support!
1


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