Back From The Game - Nottm Forest

[CMRoyal]

Did ok, he's made footballers of Cisse and Pearce which is good darts, Rosenior defensively was good, he tries to bomb forward, some of his passing/crossing was a bit dump but that's why he plays for Reading, Kanu didn't have a particularly good game which was a shame, thought tabb was ineffective, Davies and Karacan were quite good.

It was a so so kind of a performance, still the same problem as last year, it's a new look team dressed up differently but still with the cutting edge of plastic Playschool scissors. He's got to buy a decent centre forward if he's going to play one up front. Promising signs but not enugh in the final 3rd, they will all know that so expect something to happen soon.

Like in the chelsea tabb did a lot of good work off the ball closing off space for passes and the like, on the ball he was the least effective out him and Davies, but that's just a reflection of how good Davies was rather than anyhing bad about Tab.

Agreed - there's a danger that Tabb is becoming the new Harper, ie a man that does a lot of good work which goes unappreciated by a significant minority of the fans. BR knows his worth, that's the main thing.

[Negative_Jeff]

Patience is required here, Rodgers is not going to turn us into a potent attacking force playing this way overnight but the players have to learn to be more offensive. Karacan is surely trying to start attacks from too deep which makes us effectively a man down. He needs to play slightly further forward but this is a more risky strategy as it means receiving the ball in tight situations, has he got the confidence to do this? Fabregas is the obvious role model for him but ideally we require a defender in the mould of Wdowcyk to bring the ball out.
Forest were a difficult team to start against, maybe by keeping the ball we were trying to lure them out and exploit the space behind but manager Davis is too cynical an arsehole to fall for that one. Next week The Toon will come at us and there is pace enough in our team to counter attack, I am quite optimistic.
Finally it was disappointing to see us leaving four at the back marking one at corners and set pieces.

[Seal]

Ok so a few observations from memory.

- I admired the committment to passing the ball from the back; it made a refreshing change and was also impressive to see how quickly the manager has stamped his authority on the team's style. However I feel that we do need to mix it up a bit more. There is nothing wrong with a long ball if it's on. There were a couple of times I saw Church made a great run, but it was not spotted, or more likely the committment to play it short meant that the player in possession was reluctant to go long.

- I actually though Church looked better out on the right. Some nice movement and couple of moments where he made decent space in tight positions. Not sure he hasd the physicality or know how to play up front on his own yet. But that will come with time.

- Quite impressed with Long when he came on. He is a strong and direct runner. However, would disagree that is touch has improved. He still has this ability to take 3 or 4 touches when one should suffice, which often means he slows down our attacking moves as he spends too long on the ball. Nevertheless, do think he has a role to play.

- Pearce was excellent. Imposing, good positioning and good on the deck as well. Very very impressed.

- Rosenior is a maverick. Defensively he can be very good (see the charge down midway through the second half, which I think was goal-saving). However, he is just not that comfortable with the short pass, and sometimes thinks he has mroe skill than he actually possesses, which means at times in will probably be frustrating in this new system.

- EDIT: And that boy Davies has one hell of a shot on him. Reminded me of Paul Scholes in that respect. Strikes it so cleanly. If he plays regularly he will definitely get a few goals.

Overall, a very interesting day. I wouldn't say exciting really, there was a lot of relatively slow build up play, and I have to admit uttering the words 'Tommy Burns' to my pal, in reference to the continued passing of the ball across the backline. It's ok on a Sunday day in August, but on a freezing night in January at home to Blackpool I feel it may be a bit more frustrating to watch. Still, hopefully the style will develop with time as the players become more familar with it.

Dear god how we could do with a number 9 like Jemaine Beckford though....

[ZacNaloen]

Forest were a difficult team to start against, maybe by keeping the ball we were trying to lure them out and exploit the space behind but manager Davis is too cynical an arsehole to fall for that one.

That actually looked to be exactly what they were trying to do. Forest were content to just sit on their half way line and not put any pressure, looked like they came aiming for a draw but hoping to nick a win.

[rabidbee]

Tabb probably is the new Harper, because I already like him a lot. Happy to get stuck in, and also happy to just get up and brush himself off after someone has put in a heavy tackle on him. Always looks to be available, moves the ball around nicely, does everything without fuss. Looking more and more of a bargain to me. The new Georgdie Gooding, perhaps?

[CMRoyal]

Karacan is surely trying to start attacks from too deep which makes us effectively a man down. He needs to play slightly further forward but this is a more risky strategy as it means receiving the ball in tight situations, has he got the confidence to do this? Fabregas is the obvious role model for him but ideally we require a defender in the mould of Wdowcyk to bring the ball out.

I wonder - will Kara even be expected to play that role in tighter situations? I thought this must be a specific tactic against an away team who weren't bothered about closing down in our first third. It'll be different against Newcastle, I'm sure -especially if Mills is fit.

[rabidbee]

I became frustrated with Karacan's belivf that he can play Hoddle-esque passes out to the right wing from behind the centre-circle. It only worked once, possibly because he was hobbling really badly he was off balance. Every other time he planted it into touch. Otherwise, I thought he played well. Not sure that I'd agree that he bossed midfield, though - Tabb was a more influential player in that regard, I thought.

[Thaumagurist*]

I could say that what I saw was promising, but I think that there was too much passing around the back. Ok, possession is a big part in this, but possession is no good if you don't do much with the ball. We needed to attack more. I'm slightly worried that we'll end up like a toothless Arsenal team, all passing nicey nice football which goes nowhere.

Are we playing 4-5-1 or 4-3-3? I ask because every time there was a cross into the box, there was only one person there for the cross. Why isn't the winger on the other side of the pitch also in the box?

Oh and I thought Karacan was doing well, at least he looked like he wanted the ball by coming back and making himself available for a pass.

[Maguire]

Tabb probably is the new Harper........Happy to get stuck in

[soggy biscuit]

Was there a minutes applause for Bobby Robson before the game?

[Thaumagurist*]

Was there a minutes applause for Bobby Robson before the game?

No, I don't think so, and I must have missed it if there was one.

[CMRoyal]

Was there a minutes applause for Bobby Robson before the game?

No. But there was one before the Chelsea game.

[CMRoyal]

Was there a minutes applause for Bobby Robson before the game?

No. But there was one before the Chelsea game.

..our friendly with them, that is.

[Thaumagurist*]

Is my memory playing tricks on me or did we actually have a pre-match huddle?

[Royal Rother]

Yes, we did.

[Thaumagurist*]

I thought so. My thought was it was good to see that, as we weren't doing that towards the end of last season.

[rabidbee]

Tabb probably is the new Harper........Happy to get stuck in

<Sticks fingers in ears> Nananananah...

[Royalee]

Tabb>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Harper

[Ian Royal]

Tabb>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Harper

Your comments about Harper being a good player under Rodgers by not being wasted lasted a long time then.

[Royalee]

Tabb>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Harper

Your comments about Harper being a good player under Rodgers by not being wasted lasted a long time then.

I think he could do a job, but Tabb is a much better all round player.