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Nottingham Forest 1-1 Town - Match Report
Saturday, 24th Oct 2015 17:42

Former Town midfielder Liam Trotter denied his old club their first win at the City Ground since 1999 with a debut goal deep into injury time as the Blues and Forest drew 1-1. Earlier, sub Jonny Parr’s 74th minute goal had given the Blues the lead.

Mick McCarthy made four changes from the team which lost 3-0 at Hull City in midweek with David McGoldrick, Cole Skuse, Freddie Sears and Ainsley Maitland-Niles all starting. Giles Coke, Jonathan Douglas, Larsen Touré and Parr dropped to the bench.

McGoldrick - like skipper Luke Chambers a former Forest player - was in the centre with Daryl Murphy to his left and Sears to his right. The trio of strikers were all starting a game for the first time since Sears signed from Colchester in January. Giles Coke, Jonathan Douglas, Larsen Touré and Jonny Parr all dropped to the bench.

Former Town midfielder Liam Trotter was handed his debut for Forest having joined on loan from Bolton earlier in the day, while ex-Blues loanee Jonny Williams was also in the Tricky Trees’ midfield.

Town controlled the opening minutes but without creating any openings. On nine, after a long spell of Blues passing largely dictated by Bru, Jonas Knudsen sent over a cross from the left which was too long for his team-mates. Moments later, a Murphy shot on the edge of the box struck Sears.

The Blues were caught on the break in the 10th minute but Skuse and then Tommy Smith got back to challenge and eventually dispossess Ryan Mendes, unfairly according to the home fans. Referee Paul Tierney wasn’t interested, however.

A minute later Williams played in Mendes on the Forest right and the Cape Verde international shot low across the face of Dean Gerken’s goal. Mendes may have been helped find space by Blues left-back Knudsen having suffered an injury and on 12 the Danish international made way for Jonny Parr.

Chances continued to be rare events at either end but in the 29th minute only a superb Gerken save prevented the home side from going in front.

The Blues were caught short of numbers as Mendes broke and then fed Trotter to his left. The former Northgate High School pupil hit a powerful low shot across the Town keeper who got down to his left and blocked with a strong hand.

The loose ball eventually found Jamie Ward, who cut in from the right and hit another low effort which the Blues keeper palmed wide.

The double save was the highlight what had had been a less then enthralling game up to then and a minute later Town had a chance at the other end.

McGoldrick’s header from Bru’s corner struck a defender and ran loose in the area but wouldn’t fall for Murphy and the danger was cleared.

Forest immediately broke and Skuse picked up the game’s first booking for fouling Williams on halfway.

Gerken was forced into another save on 36 batting away Nelson Oliveira’s shot from the right of the area.

Oliveira claimed he had been fouled in the area by Parr in the 41st minute as a Ward cross came over from the left but the Forest man appeared to be the one with his arms around the Town defender. The ball eventually reached Mendes at the far post and he shot into the side-netting.


A minute before the break Smith was booked for tripping Mendes as Forest again counter-attacked quickly, a Town move having broken down on the edge of the home side’s box after Murphy’s pass had failed to find McGoldrick.

Just before the break both physios were called into action when Maitland-Niles and Trotter clashed heads as they went for a header.

Both players were fine to continue and the on-loan Arsenal man made a strong run down the left moments after returning to the field and won a corner.

Forest broke quickly following the Town flag-kick and Mendes hit the half’s final shot wide of Gerken’s right post.

The home side will believe they should have been in front at the break having had much the better of the chances.

Gerken had been the busier of the two keepers with his stop from Trotter’s strike as good if not better than his recent save from another former Town man, Jordan Rhodes, at Blackburn.

The Blues had had spells on top but had failed to carve out a significant opening or manage a shot on target.

Town created their first chance of the second half in the 50th minute when McGoldrick’s clever pass found Sears, who fed Murphy to his left. The Irishman played the ball inside to the onrushing Parr, whose shot was blocked by Forest skipper Kelvin Wilson, who was winded by the strike.

Parr was booked for another foul on the breaking Williams, then moments later the Wales international’s cross deflected out to Ward, whose shot was deflected over.

The home side were starting the second half on top but on 53 Bru seized on Dorus De Vries’s poor kick and sent Sears away on the right but the former Colchester striker’s cross failed to find a Town man.

Ward again shot over, before the Blues forced De Vries into his first save of the afternoon, the former Swansea man pawing away Sears’s powerful strike from just inside the area on the left. The loose ball fell to Murphy and his shot was blocked.

Gerken saved low to his left from Ward in the 56th minute, then two minutes later Forest old boy McGoldrick forced De Vries into another save with a curling effort from the edge of the area. The loose ball fell to Murphy at a tight angle on the left but the Blues’ number nine shot into the sidenetting.

But the home side were still largely on top and a minute later Berra was booked for a foul on Mendes.

Oliveira’s freekick struck the wall and flew well wide, then and on 61 Trotter turned a low cross from the left against Berra from eight yards.

Skuse made a vital last ditch challenge on Oliveira in the 66th minute after the Portuguese frontman had got past Chambers inside the area.

Williams was replaced in the Forest midfield by Jorge Grant, then Douglas took over from Skuse in the Blues midfield, the former Bristol City man appearing to have suffered a knock when making his challenge on Oliveira.

Mendes shot over from distance for Forest on 71 with Forest continuing to look the more likely scorers.

But in the 74th minute the Blues went in front. Chambers fed Bru to his right and the Mauritius international sent over a hanging cross. Eric Lichaj beat Murphy to the ball but his header fell to Parr, who hooked a half-volley on the half-turn into the top corner of De Vries’s net from midway inside the Forest area.

The Town players celebrated their first goal in more than three games and almost a month - and Parr’s first of the season - long and hard in front of their supporters.

Going in front gave the Blues renewed confidence and Sears won a corner soon after the goal.

Town might have added to their lead on 79 when McGoldrick was found in space just outside the box but his shot flew well over.

Murphy went somewhat closer from more than 30 yards two minutes later, his powerful strike flaying not too far past De Vries’s right post.

Forest threw everything forward in the final minutes as they looked to put the Blues under pressure. Strikers Dexter Blackstock and Chris O’Grady were both brought on before the Blues switched Sears for Piotr Malarczyk for the final four minutes of scheduled time.

As the game moved into a surprising six minutes of additional time Malarczyk rose highest to make two important headed clearances.

Just as it looked as if Town would hold on, with the game in the fifth minute of injury time, they conceded a last-gasp equaliser at Forest for the second successive year.

Gerken’s punch from David Vaughan’s left-wing cross from the left only made it as far as Grant with the keeper and Berra both grounded. Malarczyk cleared the sub's shot off the line but Trotter was on hand to slam in the rebound from close range.

Neither side seriously threatened again before referee Tierney blew his final whistle to end another frustrating afternoon at the City Ground for Town.

On balance, a defeat would have been harsh on Forest, who had most of the game’s better chances and had been on top until Town went in front.

But having gone in front and having kept the lead relatively comfortably until so late in the game, the draw must have felt more like a defeat to Mick McCarthy and his men, who have now gone six league matches without a win and are down to 13th in the Championship table.

The Blues are next in action against Cardiff at home next Saturday with another game at Portman Road with Bolton the following Tuesday.

Nottingham Forest: De Vries, Lichaj, Wilson (c), Hobbs (O’Grady 82), Pinillos, Trotter, Williams (Grant 67), Mendes, Ward (Blackstock 79), Oliveira. Unused: Evtimov, Burke, Walker, Iacovitti.

Town: Gerken, Chambers (c), Smith, Berra, Knudsen (Parr 12), Skuse (Douglas 68), Bru, Maitland-Niles, Sears (Malarczyk 86), Murphy, McGoldrick. Unused: Bialkowski, Douglas, Coke, Touré, Pitman. Referee: Paul Tierney (Lancashire). Att: 19,616.


Photo: Action Images



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pumpee added 17:42 - Oct 24
Wanna hear a good joke.....Smith and Gerken! If your gonna call for it, do something with it!!
1

NSL added 17:44 - Oct 24
It was a tale of two poor teams when all said and done.
8

bostonusablue added 17:46 - Oct 24
Want to bet what the defense will look like in the next match? Sick of this now. McCarthy and his dinosaur football out!!!
13

rendoblue added 17:47 - Oct 24
Again, how many times have we been here. Why can't the rules be changed to like rugby and kick the ball dead at full time. 4 top strikers we said at the start. No one to feed them and we getting further and further away from where we want to be. Sad times.
7

TractorBoy666 added 17:49 - Oct 24
Speechless, I don't think Mick will ever learn. I can't count how many times we've gone and given away a lead beyond the 90th minute. If you're going to bring a striker off I would not bring off Sears as we can always get them on the counter but no, we are too scared of these teams changes. Not too sure where 6 minutes came from mind you, but that doesn't excuse the fact we should defend a lead. As much as we all want Gerken dropped it just will not happen, he will be on the team sheet next week mark my words. Depressing is an understatement of how I am feeling right now!
20

Ipswichlove added 17:50 - Oct 24
We want are Bartoz back, we want are Bartoz back!

Decent draw.
5

jcITFC added 17:51 - Oct 24
Not sure if I want to laugh or cry
0

bluelady added 17:53 - Oct 24
Bru was a shining light today and he has to start games!! Even Douglas looked good with him - gives us balance. Much better performance second half today but show boating and a keeper who is very consistant - consistantly poor at commanding his goal cost us the win. Town fans were immense today!!!!
5

Michael11 added 17:53 - Oct 24
Gutted but not surprised. As soon as injury time comes, we always panic when we're winning. That game is exactly why Dean Gerken should be nothing more than a number 2. Yes, he made some good saves, but what's the point if you're going to gift teams goals all the time the way he does. He has no consistency whatsoever and a complete liability. Back to Bart please Mick, should've been straight back in the team when he was back anyway! On a very small positive, Jonny Parr should undoubtedly be our first choice left back. Much better than Knudsen! I liked the line up but still offered very little going forward for such an attacking side!
18

battyblue added 17:53 - Oct 24
Jonny Parr the best left/right back we have.if knudsen had stayed on we would not have scored ignored by MM since he has been here unless he has little alternative but play him normally out of position, today he showed what he can bring to the team and should be a regular,Dean Gerken played week in week out by MM although he regularly cost a points like today flapping in the wind will mm bring our best keeper now as stats plainly confirm or will he wait until we are in the bottom four and insists he has been different class.
18

muccletonjoe added 17:54 - Oct 24
Mm caught out with goalie choice, otherwise stick with this side, it is the way forward
3

DurhamTownFan added 17:54 - Oct 24
Sounds like a better performance but sounds like nothing changes from Gerken.

MM has GOT to sort his defence and keeper out sharp!
10

bluefeast added 17:54 - Oct 24
Well we would of been lucky to win ,BUT yet again our soft centre raises its head. MM made a silk purse from a pigs ars when he arrived ,then he went through much of last season with the same management skill. However that only gets you so far. Goalkeeper centre halves and full backs probably would not get into any other championship team. Sadly Mick has not addressed the issues of balance. Sears is not a wide right player ,he is isolated out there and his goal scoring has suffered. Murphy and DM are so out of sorts on scoring and Pitman is not getting enough minutes to get into a groove. We need fresh ideas . No doubt about it. Yet again conceding so late down to poor decision.
9

hancockingoal added 17:55 - Oct 24
Big Mick goes someway to appeasing the fans with an attacking formation against a team low on confidence. A full back on as substitute scores our only goal. An ex player rejected by Keane equalises in the 94th minute. Who at the club has walked under a ladder?
2

battyblue added 17:57 - Oct 24
bring in our best keeper now
3

therein61 added 17:58 - Oct 24
That's enough now snatching a point from the jaws of 3, what the hell are you doing to our side Mick!! you are continually blind to the inept performance of the unbalanced back 4 and keeper who beggars belief(like a rabbit in headlights, jelly on a plate, you name it it's him!!) I have again spent a considerable amount to get to this game and am staying overnight with a mate who is now laughing his bloody socks off(over a beer or two) at how we let them get a result and to rub it in flippin trotter got the goal!!! for Christ's sake Mick( thanks for all your hard work in stabilising the club and giving us all hope for the future) either take your blinkers off re your under performing favourites or do the decent thing and walk, this has been the last time I will travel away until I see improvement(mind you a home game is a 400 mile round trip) we hard working supporters deserve better than what you are offering at this time.
8

Joetown95 added 18:01 - Oct 24
I feel that Mick so far this season has been a victim of his own success. Given how well we did last season, spending next to nothing on the squad and finishing 6th, many of us, me included, felt we would push on and be a real force this season so far though, that's obviously not been the case. Key players such as Murphy and Berra have not hit the heights of last year which has really affected us I feel. Plus the loss of Mings. However I feel that most of us are more annoyed at the fact that he continues to pick his favourites (Smith, Gerkin) when they both need to be dropped, and plays chambers out of position when really we need to change it around because it's clearly not working for us. It's also very frustrating to hear him say that every team we play is quality and they'll be right up there come the end of the season, which really isn't helping him. conceding so late in the game is really disappointing and a smash and grab at a ground we have an awful record at really would of kick started our season. The one thing with Mick that really annoys me though is his negative tactics. Hoofball is horrible to watch as are the very defensive tactics we play as soon as we go a goal up. Sure we weren't moaning loads about this last season, but then we massively over archived last year so we weren't going to be complaining. However for now, I still believe Mick will turn this around for us and that come the end of the season, we'll be up there towards the top of the table. COYB!
1

delias_cheesy_flaps added 18:02 - Oct 24
Really looking forward to next Saturdays game......gonna get wasted before the match so I won't give a fvck what the performance or the outcome is!!
1

LordMamu added 18:03 - Oct 24
Ha! I'm actually looking forward to the mealy mouthed drivel MM will undoubtedly come out with. Bottom half now and 7 points off relegation places. Well done all round.
3

blueherts added 18:03 - Oct 24
We cannot see games out - The scene was set on Day one vs Brentford - 'Dont Panic , Dont Panic ' - we are a bag on nerves at the end of games
Other teams banging in goals for fun - oh wait we have the four best strikers in the League
Dont Panic ....
Very underwhelmed at the moment with whats going on - We had a false dawn - need to get some momentum
8

Chicago_Blue added 18:03 - Oct 24
95th minute equaliser conceded? Check!
Midfielder or striker withdrawn for a defender? Check!
Defend deep and invite pressure? Check!
Keeper loses the plot and flaps? Check!
Sound familiar? At work, if incidents happen, we have a review to make sure we learn from them and don't make the same errors again. Is it different with football? It's like a kind of Groundhog day, but the same things are done rather than changing them for a different outcome.
8

pablo123 added 18:05 - Oct 24
We were outplayed for most of the game , so dont think we were unlucky not to win !! 1 win in 10 games now is just beyond a joke , we are in big relegation form playing atrocious hoof ball football
14

hancockingoal added 18:14 - Oct 24
Much debate about who should or shouldn't be in the team? What formation is best? The facts are that the players capable of taking us to a higher level are just not available and if they were they would be outside of our price range. Time for a reality check I think?
1

Pip50 added 18:20 - Oct 24
Go now please Mad Mick couldn't be much worse. Sh.t football confused tactics. As soon as Sears was withdrawn for a defender I said to my son we will concede.
Next game we come up against an Ipswich old boy can someone take him out at neck high early on.
Bye bye season.
Definition of madness - keep on doing the same things and expecting a different outcome.
9

BlueMachines added 18:23 - Oct 24
I thought with Aloe Vera in their side Forrest would be a soft touch!

(Those listening to Radio Suffolk may be the only ones to get that reference!)
2


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