The Honeymoon Is Over - Notes For Forest Friday, 3rd Oct 2014 10:30 by HarryFromBath HarryfromBath assesses the mood in the opposition camp ahead of Sunday's game by delving into their forums. "It's difficult to justify being frustrated looking at our league position and being unbeaten with plenty of clean sheets, but I can't help but feel uncomfortable at the moment", "This feels like the start of a decline", "We're losing momentum." Forest go into Sunday's game riding high in the table, but having played three consecutive scoreless league draws at Millwall, at home to Brighton last Saturday and at Wigan on Tuesday. This winless run has also taken in a 3-1 Capital One Cup defeat at Spurs last Wednesday week. "There are two schools of thought on how good we are. We haven't played well and have a good defence and attack, but no midfield and other teams have sussed out how to nullify our attacks", "I don't want to suffer the dashing of expectation that last season's rollercoaster produced." "Alternatively, we are unbeaten, second in the league, very tight at the back and with the league's top scorer, so everything's okay", "We're second and unbeaten. Cheer up lads. Reading all these comments sounds like we are bottom." Old-Fashioned Football"The Wigan game was bloody awful in terms of quality. Aimless ball after aimless ball pumped forward", "I've seen the last four games and we're dreadful to watch", "Just please stop launching the ball, please", "This has been quite terrible. I don't see a goal coming." Forest supporters' greatest concern has been their manner of play in recent games. "We play in a very old fashioned style with full-backs pushing on, diagonal balls and slow one-twos down the flanks. It's very predictable", "We have no idea what to do when well organised teams park the bus." "4-5-1 smacks of ‘I don't want to be beaten' rather than ‘I want to win'." The Reds have switched between playing 4-4-2 and the less popular 4-5-1 in recent games. "A return to 4-4-2 with out-and-out wingers, overlapping full-backs and an attacking attitude seems to suit the guys better." "It's not the formation that's the problem. It's the style of play. Launching it 60 yards isn't right. We need to keep it simple, with short, sharp passes", "I wouldn't have thought it and I don't want to think it, but I feel that it might just be that this is Stuart Pearce's brand of football." Stuart Pearce"It's fantastic that we have a proud, dignified man of principle on the touchline. He emanates passion for this club and its supporters. You can guarantee that he is giving 110% to the cause", "I cannot fault a single thing he has done. His effect is like Kevin Keegan's was a Newcastle."  "Pearce has constructed a brilliant squad, work ethic and management team and his engagement with the fans was been likewise." Forest were clear by one point at the start of September, having just won at Sheffield Wednesday and fans were riding on the crest of a wave, as the comments above indicate. One win in six games this month - an error strewn 5-3 triumph over Fulham - has raised doubts over Pearce's tactical ability. "It's time to spell it out here. Stuart will fail here 100%. It's a crying shame. We are getting worse by the game - that's as plain as day", "He is a hero but we can question him." "We are very direct under Pearce. I'm really surprised by it", "One of the hallmarks this season has been players needlessly lofting passes in the air", "We are not a footballing side", "He is a legend from his playing days. Cut him open and he bleeds Garibaldi red, but he is too defensive." "Did people honestly think that because we had Pearce back at the club this season was going to be one triumphant march to glory as we brushed aside all before us?", "Pearce has raised expectations so high that everyone is expecting us to walk the league." Many Reds want fellow supporters to get some perspective. "After a terrible end to last season, a whole pile of players left and joined the club. We are joint top of the league. Some people need to get a grip", "The squad is there and we will be as strong as anyone after they have settled." No Playmaker"We are missing a player who plays best as a number 10 now", "We are missing Andy Reid's craft here." Pearce has not been helped by the loss of Andy Reid in their 1-1 draw with the Rams three weeks ago. "The positivity in our play went downhill when Reid went off injured against Derby." "If anyone doubted that we miss Reid, I hope they're not now", "We just look really flat and out of ideas when we get to their penalty area", "We're missing that killer touch in the final third", "Any issues that the strikers have been having are down to the abysmal midfield we trot out each week." Defence"Our defenders look almost invincible", "The defence looks completely impervious", "If you build from the back, results will come", "Why do our centre-halves always look for the long ball? We have decent midfielders who can receive and pass it." "The full-backs get forward less than they were in the first few games. A five-man midfield should give the defence more licence to bomb forward. It seems like we have gone the other way, with our wingers being told to track back. This restricts the full-backs' freedom." Karl Darlow"Darlow's performance is pretty flawless this season", "He's superb and just about as good a keeper as we could possibly hope for at Championship level", "I see this year as a holiday romance with us and Darlow, one which will come to a heart-breaking end."  The 23-year-old youth product was signed by Newcastle this summer and loaned back to Forest for the season. "His Neuer-eqsue clearances and dribbles show confidence at its highest", "He's very good a coming out at the right time and narrowing the gap which puts pressure on the striker." "Darlow's clearances needed improving as it was his weakest point but this is happening", "I think his posture helps with simple things like collecting the ball and looking for the quick counter. He owns that penalty box and that nothing will get past that goal line." "Jack Hunt's biggest plus are his overlapping runs. He has not been doing that lately and his defending leaves a lot to be desired. Pearce must get him to bomb on past Chris Burke more", "We need to push him on more, He's become aware of his defensive limitations and it holds him back." The 23-year-old right-back and former Terrier is on loan from Crystal Palace until January. "Hunt was caught ball watching against Brighton a few times. They singled him out in the second half. Mackail-Smith was on his shoulder at every opportunity. Nevertheless he gives so much going forward." Former Southampton left-back Danny Fox has struggled in recent games. The 28-year-old "is the most reliably disappointing player we've got", "I hope he can settle into a game and not get skinned as usual", "He does have a knack for launching the ball, and Eric Lichaj is a much better full-back." "Lichaj is very strong defensively", "He's a handy player to have." The 25-year-old USA international and former Villa right-back replaced Fox as Forest's left-back against Wigan. "He is a cracking defender, but doesn't offer the same availability going forward. He is superb in either full-back role." Former Ipswich full-back Dan Harding is a fringe player, but played in the Capital One Cup game against Spurs. The 30-year-old "looks like he's scared of the ball when he receives it to feet. You rarely see him having a run at players even when space opens up. He always prefers to get rid of it". There has been little said about Jamaal Lascelles, the 20-year-old youth graduate who joined the Magpies and was loaned back to Forest on the same day as Karl Darlow. "He is fourth choice centre-back", "He was responsible for two Spurs goals, dropping out of the line and playing them onside." Kelvin Wilson"Kelvin Wilson is a massive calming influence at the back." The 29-year-old former Celtic centre-back has returned after a serious back injury last season. "It's the communication that I like, orchestrating things from the back. He never shuts up, pointing, shouting, cajoling and organising our back four."  "Has anyone else noticed that we have not conceded a league goal since Kelvin set foot on the pitch? He's superb, deceptively quick, smart with his movement and he tackles like the best", "He understands and reads the game brilliantly", "He uses his experience, adapting his game brilliantly." Michael Mancienne"Mancienne doesn't grab headlines, but he isn't the type of player who wants them", "He quietly goes about his job", "He gets better and better. He's an absolute rock and a good footballer", "The number of headers he wins is amazing. He looks slight and small in stature but defends like a giant."  "If you want to see how good Mancienne is, take your eye off the ball and just track him as he moves around the ground. The man is perfection", "I love watching him play. He gives a master class in every game", "If he walked on a sandy beach, he wouldn't leave footprints. The man just glides." The 26-year-old former Chelsea centre-back joined from Hamburg SV this summer. "He doesn't concede freekicks which is a massive plus", "However, his first option out of defence is to go diagonal and hit a high ball up to the winger", "He and Wilson need to score goals from set plays." Central Midfield"Pearce needs to get the midfield to hang on to the ball. They just give it away constantly", "If we get the midfield combination and style right, we could be very dangerous. Dare I say this, but we need a touch of the possession and passing style that Billy Davies had us occasionally playing." Playing with a five-man midfield has often left Forest's lone striker isolated, but moving to the well-liked 4-4-2 against the Seagulls caused some alarm. "We surrendered a struggling midfield. This change made Brighton stronger." "Ben Osborn is still not quite established when everyone is fit, but it is great to see we have a talented young player. "The 20-year-old academy graduate "is very simple and effective. He's occasionally guilty of forcing a pass", "His decision-making can be slow and he can get caught out." "Like many youngsters in this league, Osborn gets overrun in the last 20 minutes, but he's a good bench option", "His skill set suits him being played as the most attacking of the midfield three", "His passing range is excellent and he's very tidy on the ball. He's a natural replacement for Reid." Robert Tesche"Tesche reminds me of my old BMW. It was German, reliable and at cruising speed was as efficient as hell", "He looks more comfortable every time I see him play. We could build our midfield around him", "He has so much time on the ball and looks very classy."  The 27-year-old ex-Hamburg SV holding midfielder "covers plenty of ground, is solid technically and sees the field well. He anticipates well, is a good passer and has steel to his game", "His awareness and decision making are bang on. He always finds the right ball or turns into the right space." Stuart Pearce was criticised for substituting him against Brighton. "Taking Tesche out compounded the error of moving to 4-4-2", "We badly missed him when he went off", "He showed some real composure when others were hoofing the ball forward for the strikers to chase." Henri Lansbury"Anything is better than Lansbury at number 10", He doesn't have the subtlety", "He is playing like a clown", "It's as clear as day that he goes missing there. We have arguably the best midfielder in the division and we are somehow playing a system that alienates him and yes, Pearce is doing that."  The 23-year-old former Gunner and Norwich loan signing has really struggled when played just behind the striker. "He is better in an out-and-out central position, tacking, passing and bossing it", "Get Lansbury playing in a deeper role", "He needs to stop thinking he's Pirlo." "Lansbury's corners are shocking", "Another tedious set piece." His set pieces and discipline have suffered. "He's collecting cards like they're Panini stickers", "He's going to get sent off soon. It's only a matter of time", "It's frustrating how he commits so many pointless fouls." Wide Midfield"Brighton closed us down out wide and these areas were completely off limits for us. This is where we have a threat, especially at home. Little credit has been given to how they planned and executed their tactics." Forest have struggled out wide in recent games. "We had no idea in front of goal against Wigan. We tried crossing every time and often they were woeful", "Once again all our attacks go down our left side." "I can't believe how Jamie Paterson's star has fallen since last season." The 22-year-old ex-Walsall right-winger "has been dropped, which isn't surprising as he concedes possession too easily", "He just feels the need to take on too many players at the moment and gets caught in possession." "Paterson needs to take his time a bit more and be aware of passing options and what is around him", "Occasionally he carries on with a forward run and gets himself into trouble. I'm all for wingers running at defenders but his whole game cannot be about this." Chris Burke"I trust Chris Burke to deliver something useful with the ball on the right wing more than any Forest player for a while", "He works extremely hard for the team when we don't have the ball, especially covering for the right-back when Hunt drives forward."  Fans are quick to praise industry of the 30-year-old former Birmingham player. They believe that he could carry more of a threat. "While I appreciate his tenacity when playing deeper, it starves us of a great outlet on the right wing", "He's far more dangerous when played as an out-and-out winger." "He does lots of running around defensively, but I thought we signed him for his attacking strength", "His output has suffered, running into defenders and rarely hitting crosses." Reds also want Burke used in set pieces. "Why isn't he taking corners? He's poor in the air and a dead ball specialist." Michail Antonio"Antonio is a really dangerous player. Anyone with that much pace and strength will be a threat in this league. He seems to take the right decisions and is more than capable of taking on his opposite number." The 24-year-old former Owl "has quality, strength, a good touch and calm finishing".  The left-winger has struggled when asked to play in a central role behind the lone striker against Brighton. "He is not the link to Assombalonga", "That was a nothing game from him", "He had his worst game for the club so far", "I like Antonio, but he's far better on the wing." "Antonio isn't in control of any part of his body 80% of the time. It's fun to watch. He would scare me witless if I ever played against him", "His pace from a standing start startles me", "He is a monster, like a runaway train", "I'm not convinced he's a footballer, but he's bloody effective." Strikers"We just can't seem to create any chances", "There is a lot of standing around, waiting for the ball to drop out of mid-air. There is no flow to our game at all", "We're getting found out playing 4-5-1", "We're in trouble if we don't start finding the net and we have a hard run of games coming up." Having found the net 20 times in nine consecutive games before this poor run, most Reds are blaming the service rather than their strikers. "Our strikers' conversion rate has been good even if they have been feeding on scraps." "You could fit the Grand Canyon between Lars Veldwijk and the midfield." The 23-year-old summer signing from Excelsior "lacks sharpness but I was impressed with his holding play, his deft touches and his lay-offs to midfield runners", "He's not quite ready and still learning the Championship." The Dutchman has been a fringe player, but started against Spurs. "I see him as a Teddy Sheringham-style player, tall and wiry, but not a target man. He's more a ball playing number 10 who drops deep and links play", "He'll be an asset to the club. He's got that edge about him and looks like a Viking." Matty Fryatt"We're flat. We need Fryatt on", "Christ, we have missed Fryatt", "He adds maturity to our attacking play." Former Hull striker Matty Fryatt has come on as a substitute in recent games as he recuperates from a pelvic injury. "We are much improved with him on. He really links things up."  The 28-year-old's "ability to play up front or in midfield gives us an extra dimension of tactical flexibility that can make all the difference in tight games", "He can drop deep as well, so there's no problem in pushing Lansbury further back in the centre with Tesche." Britt Assombalonga"Britt has quickly become a real goal threat", "This guy is special. We have uncovered a real gem. His strengths as a striker are exactly why we should play a possession game on the ground. He won't progress if we are hoofing it to him all season", "We never give the ball to his feet."  "He looks absolutely lethal." The 21-year-old former Watford striker and summer signing from Peterborough is the division's top scorer. "He looks to have a good touch and can link play. He can score with his head and feet, and is strong and fast. He turns quickly in the box while controlling the ball." "Britt is effective at defending set pieces, but I don't know why Pearce brings him back. He'd be brilliant on the counter as he never stops running", "He can't be faulted for his effort, but he can't feed off scraps", "The service to him is piss-poor", "I just hope that his confidence doesn't dry up." Forest Supporters' Views on ITFC and the Game"We could really do with a convincing win on Sunday", "Ipswich now is a must-win game", "Ipswich are a good unit but nothing more than that - play to anything like the standard we're capable of and we'll see them off." The pre-match poll on Forest's forum has a not overly confident 65% going for a home win, 18% forecasting a draw, and 17% predicting an Ipswich victory. The comments make interesting reading. "Ipswich look like a scrappy long ball team which will suit us down to the ground", "They're a vastly overrated team. Look at their line-up you wouldn't take one of their starting XI over ours. We are stronger in every position, and at home - a poor result if we don't win." "McCarthy will have 11 men behind the ball from the first minute and hope to score on the break, and keep it at that", "I thought they were the worst team I saw at home last season. They were horrible to watch", "They parked the bus and the team was full of non-footballing lumps." There were a few passing comments about former players now with us. "Can someone remind Chambers that he used to play for a big club?" "Is that Anderson as in the old 'chase it down a blind alley' Anderson? Wow, thought he was in League One for Bristol City." At least one Forest fan has done some homework: "Ipswich are a completely different team this year, it will not be easy. We need the first goal to win this." David McGoldrick
McGoldrick played for Forest between 2009 and 2013, and while his time there isn't generally fondly remembered, some Reds have noted his progress here. "It does seem that his Forest days were some kind of aberration. His time at Ipswich has been fruitful." "McGoldrick will surprise many of us. He's a class player who really suffered during his time with us. He was here during our darkest days and was managed and coached by a succession of poor people. I still don't think he's worth [£7 million] though", "McGoldrick will score for them. He has to." WebsitesThe busiest Forest message board is the busy and well informed LTLF Forest Forum.
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Forest fans were surprised by Leicester's recent £7 million bid for our striker. "Insane, utterly insane. It's the sort of buy you regret when you are relegated and trying to cut costs", "It's got to be a wind-up. Pearson's losing his head", "He's a lazy player. Ipswich must be laughing all the way to the bank."
