by Hendo »
12 Jan 2020 10:22
Interesting game yesterday and one I really enjoyed. Thought it was a good battle between two evenly matched teams, and with them sitting in the play offs, that is very encouraging.
Thought we did well right at the beginning of the first half and then towards the end as well. Morrison having a very good chance very early on but couldn’t quite make contact. They threatened in the middle bit but without ever really troubling Rafael. There were some critical blocks though, one from Moore (I think) and an excellent tackle from Swift which I thought was as good as in. Swift seemed to come from nowhere to make the block.
We then came out a totally different side in the second half, much quicker, more intensity and more desire to win the second ball. This showed in the way Forest started to slow the game down at every opportunity. We created some great chances, Blackett very unlucky hitting the post and their ‘keeper somehow kept out a point blank range shot. Rafael also made a wonderful stop on Grabban to hold him up and push him wide. Goal was a sucker punch, couldn’t really tell if it was a corner from where I was but the ball did look out and the way the players remonstrated you have to think something was wrong, they don’t all react as one unless there is a clear mistake. A wonderful response though, something which is so pleasing to see in this side now. I think Puscas puts that in if the defender doesn’t get a touch on it.
Standout players for me were Blackett, Pele and Adam. Some of Adam’s passing was outrageous and he can put in an almost unplayable set-play at times.
Thought Swift had a bit of an off day and Ejaria is nowhere near as effective stuck out on the left as he is in the middle, but he did ok.
Meite is a bit of an odd one, he struggles to do the basics sometimes but you can not fault his willingness to run and the effort he puts in. Plus he can cause the defenders so many issues, he must be a bit of a nightmare to play against sometimes because he is powerful and if he doesn’t know what he is going to do at times, then the defender isn’t going to know either.
Anyway, a very enjoyable 1-1 draw, and I’m looking forward to Millwall next weekend.