Firstly, apologies for the delayed reaction to the match. While I couldn’t be there, I was down the pub, where they had the sound down – so I couldn’t hear the commentary or any of the crowd noise. I could hear loud and rather poor quality pop music as the disco got under way; obviously this is one of the perils of Friday night football.
I thought 1-1 was a fair result, and agree with the general consensus that Derby were much better than us in the first half, but the match was transformed at half-time by the removal of Lynch and the deployment of Chris Cohen at left-back.
What else emerged on Friday night?
- Paul Smith was outstanding. As well as the customary saves, he actually came for crosses and seemed more commanding. Is it a coincidence that he looks less confident in front of a City Ground crowd? If you were there and think differently (as I couldn’t hear the away fans’ reaction on Friday), then leave a comment and let us know.
- Paul Anderson still struggles at times to produce an end product, but he doesn’t half scare defenders. He and Cohen (both out of position) were both fast enough and hard-working enough to cover the entire left-side in the second 45. What an unfortunate injury, get well soon Ando.
- Joel Lynch is either just not good enough, or he is always injured (which seems to be the official explanation). Either way, I cannot remember the last time that I have seen a player look so out of place in a Forest team (actually that is not true – his name was Andy Andrew Cole).
- While Kelvin didn’t do too much wrong, he had a couple of early “Casual Kelv” moments – but the overriding feeling is that the partnership of Wes and Brecks is much more commanding in the heart of defence.
- Earnie and Tys are clearly starting to build up an understanding – hence the dummy leading to Robbie’s goal. I would also like to point out that no-one should ever wear short sleeves and gloves.
- When Lewis plays well, Forest play well; that has been increasingly obvious in many recent matches, including Plymouth and on Friday night.
Finally, I know it has been said everywhere else, but we send “get well soon” wishes to Billy Davies’s son, and to Wes’ little one and to their respective families.
In the meantime, it is back to the league, with Sheffield Wednesday at home. On a cold Tuesday night, after Friday’s big match, I hope it doesn’t turn out to be a footballing hangover, and I also hope that we will have enough fit defenders!
