Our exploits against the Geordies at the weekend has earned us three players in the Team of the Week. Cohen (who I thought was excellent), Gunter and this-Dex-is-on-fire Blackstock all make the cut into the official football league team.
Tags: chris cohen, chris gunter, dexter blackstock Posted in
Our victory over Newcastle United is the main talking point today as the Geordies come to terms with not being top of the pile and bemoan their club’s predicament. And maybe Kevin Nolan will learn to keep his mouth shut – apart from a chant of “you’ve never won fuck all” it’s not us that keeps banging on about our history.
Meanwhile, Billy Davies tries to keep a lid on talk of promotion (quite rightly – we are a long way from ready, unless Nigel’s got another £100m in his pocket and we keep our gobs shut as yet another brand new team gels together – remember the moans before our four game run as these 11 strangers couldn’t quite get the results together). However, Dexter Blackstock’s performances have earned him a place in the Championship team of the week and Billy has another of his rants – this time on how it is now impossible for a football manager to avoid getting the sack.
Tags: billy davies, dexter blackstock, kevin nolan, newcastle united Posted in
Sorry folks – the late kick off meant that we didn’t get chance to record a podcast after the game yesterday. So you’ll have to make do with a traditional match report.
On the way to the ground, Radio Nottingham announced the line up as a 4-5-1: Campo in goal, Gunter and Cohen at full back with Wes and Wilson in the middle. All the Ms in a midfield trio of Majewski, McKenna and Moussi, with Tyson and Anderson out wide and Dex as the lone striker. My immediate thought on hearing this was that it was one of those 4-5-1/4-3-3 things that never seems to work and Billy had his heart set on a point.
Luckily, I was wrong. It was much more of a 4-4-1-1, with Madge playing just behind Dex. And, for the first twenty minutes or so it really really worked. My brother commented that Madge could win this game for us single-handedly and this “in the hole” position suited him. We were making all the running and forcing saves from Harper.
But as the half went on, Newcastle became stronger. In particular, Smith (who was outstanding) and Nolan took control of the midfield and Carroll started to get the better of Morgan and Wilson with his niggly fouls and constant complaints to the referee. In fact, by about thirty minutes in I was looking to the bench. We were getting very little out wide and the two Newcastle players had the centre of the pitch sown up. But despite that, the chances were falling to us, which made me even more worried – was it to be another of “those days”? (Especially as Marlon was playing against us – old club syndrome and all).
Well, no. A nice bit of passing play resulted in a defence splitting pass for Dex to run onto. He took it around the keeper and shot agonisingly slowly into the back of their net. One nil up, just before half time. Newcastle looked angry and had us on the back-foot for the remaining couple of minutes before the whistle.
The second half started and Newcastle continued where they left off. Smith and Nolan bossed the midfield and their physical, niggly play took us out of the game. The game was really narrow – Tyson and Ando were switching flanks regularly but neither could really get in to the game – and when it went through the centre, Newcastle just snuffed out any of our threats.
By now, Madge had faded out of the game and was replaced by McGoldrick, who was outstanding. Not only did he support Dex but he was also involved in several amazing tackles in the centre of the park, snuffing out Newcastle attacks before they reached the back four.
The Geordies made a change, bringing on Gutierrez – this changed things slightly as now they had an outlet on the wings. And actually it probably worked in our favour as the centre became less congested. However, it has to be said that if they had anyone who could finish (sorry Marlon), they would have been three up in the second half. As it was, the corner flags and Row Z were in the most danger from their shots. But eventually they did get the ball in the back of the net – although the linesman ruled it out for offside. I, personally, thought it was good; the replay on the TV that night showed the official was correct.
Ando got clattered and was replaced by Lewis and I was fully expecting to see Dele Adebola replacing the now-knackered Blackstock. In fact Dele stripped off and was stood by the fourth official when Newcastle took Marlon off, replacing him with Ranger. Marlon left the field to a standing ovation from about half the Forest fans (which I was very pleased to see, as I still love him as a player) and the Forest coaching staff immediately called Adebola back to the bench. A few minutes later, McKenna was replaced by Garner, who promptly got his customary booking. I thought this was really interesting – Adebola was the obvious substitution – play it long and he can hold it up – very useful when you’ve been under the cosh for forty five minutes. But bringing Garner on instead suggested we wanted to play it and control the game more.
And that was probably that. Newcastle could feel aggrieved to come away with nothing, especially after their second half performance. But their finishing was woeful and their physical play was annoying (and very un-Calderwood).
For us, I think there were a few negatives. McKenna and Madge faded very quickly, suggesting a lack of fitness. Tyson wasn’t really in the game today (at one point he tried to take Enrique for pace and Enrique just strolled past him) and Camp looked very short of confidence (especially after the ref gave him a talking to following an incident with Carroll).
But the positives outweigh the negatives. Firstly, we beat the best side I’ve seen this season. Smith, Nolan, Enrique and Khizanishvili were the four best players on the pitch (Smith the best by far) yet we still took the three points. Despite extreme provocation from Carroll, Wes and Wilson dealt with their strike-force. Cohen proved why he is now first choice left-back with some excellent positional and passing play. The Mousse was outstanding, covering the entire pitch and rarely misplacing the ball when he had it. Ando worked really hard for little reward and David McGoldrick was a revelation. And Dexter, what can you say about our top-scorer? He just quietly goes about his business, with no fuss, getting the odd goal and working really hard for the team. What a man.
But the absolute best thing about yesterday was us. When Billy Davies had yet another rant about the negativity at the City Ground I just wanted him to shut up. But fair play to the man – when he speaks, even if it sounds like bollocks, it’s always for a reason, always designed to plant a seed. And today, even when we were struggling, the fans never turned on the players, barely even let their nerves filter through to the pitch. And it showed at the final whistle as the players, once again, made a point of thanking us for their support. So, it has to be said, that this was my best game of the season so far and truly Billy Davies’ victory.
Tags: chris cohen, chris gunter, david mcgoldrick, dexter blackstock, Guy Moussi, joe garner, kelvin wilson, Lee Camp, lewis mcgugan, marlon harewood, nathan tyson, newcastle united, nottingham forest, Paul Anderson, paul mckenna, radoslaw majewski, wes morgan Posted in
Ryan Taylor returns for Newcastle, with Zurab Khizanishvili leading the line for them (I love Georgian names).
Ned Kelly is still looking forward to meeting his old club, while Billy Davies is hoping for an early return for little Robbie Earnshaw. Also on his way back is James Perchio who has now returned to training following his stress fracture.
Elsewhere, Matt Thornhill returns to the Brighton side after a period out, and Joe Heath steps up for Lincoln following an injury.
Tags: billy davies, david kelly, james perchio, joe heath, matt thornhill, newcastle united, rob earnshaw, ryan taylor, zurab khizanshvili Posted in
Little Robert Earnshaw will be out for a month with a calf injury sustained on international duty. We may have six strikers but I regard Robbie as one of the best (although he needs a sustained run in the team), so this is a bit of a blow, in my opinion.
Ned Kelly reckons our experience will be vital at the weekend (don’t forget, like I did, that it’s a 5:20pm kick-off). Meanwhile, the Toon will have Jose Enrique back, but defender Fabricio Collocini is out.
Elsewhere, Peterborough have appointed Darren Ward as goalkeeping coach and across the river, Sven Goran Eriksson turns down the opportunity to become North Korea’s coach. And Carl Froch is asking for your help as he takes on Andre Dirrel on Saturday night.
Tags: carl froch, darren ward, david kelly, fabricio collocini, jose enrique, newcastle united, peterborough united, rob earnshaw, sven goran eriksson Posted in
The disciplinary hearing for us and the Sheep is approaching – 22nd October.
The Daily Star have noticed that the football season has begun, running a season preview – and they have also just found out that we once won a few of trophies.
The word is still that David Platt is favourite for the Notts job. Do they never learn?
Speaking of ex-managers, Colin Calderwood is plotting our downfall. Apparently. While Marlon Harewood reckons the Geordies aren’t the crisis club they appeared to be. But Ned Kelly reckons the international break has done us good and we are ready for them.
Tags: colin calderwood, david kelly, david platt, derby county, marlon harewood, newcastle united, nottingham forest, notts county Posted in
Fabio Capello thinks Trevor Francis was the best Englishman to play in Italy. Trevor Francis thinks Fabio Capello is the new Brian Clough.
Is Marlon Harewood misunderstood? Not by me – I think he’s great and one of my all-time favourite players.
Finally, was Billy Davies due for the sack even as the Sheep were winning in the play-offs? I can remember thinking that he had been left high and dry during that summer, so was not surprised to see them struggle. But was it all planned, even before the Americans had taken over?
UPDATE:
David ‘Ned’ Kelly is in line to take over at Tranmere.
And Notts County have sacked Ian “Charlie” McParland. Is David Platt being lined up as a replacement? Sven Goran Eriksson is completely in the dark.
Tags: billy davies, brian clough, david kelly, david platt, fabio capello, ian mcparland, marlon harewood, sven goran eriksson, trevor francis Posted in
Following his stunning/lucky/wind-assisted/goalkeeper-assisted (delete as applicable) goal on Saturday, young Pole Raddy Majewski has been named in the Football League’s Team of the Week (alongside ex-Red Sammy Clingan, who scored another cracking free-kick at the weekend).
In other news, Forest have been linked with Leeds left-back Alan Sheehan, currently enjoying a renaissance in form whilst on loan to Oldham Athletic (don’t be fooled by this talk of him being a striker, that is simply shoddy journalism).
Sven favourite and Forest hate-figure David Platt has been linked with the managerial position at Notts County. Even though Charlie is still the manager. Is it April Fools’ Day already?
Finally, a real treat from one of our favourite newspapers (which Rahoul had already posted on Twitter): a rant about … well, everything to do with the management from boardroom downwards, it seems. The article attacks Messrs Pleat, Doughty, Arthur and Davies, but makes no discernible point about anything really.
Tags: alan sheehan, billy davies, david platt, david pleat, mark arthur, nigel doughty, nottingham forest, radoslaw majewski, sammy clingan Posted in
Billy reckons our unsung players will make the difference – but it’s the glamour boys who made the headlines yesterday (and what a headline that is).
BD praised our battling qualities, saying we couldn’t play a passing game against Peterborough, but it didn’t matter. Posh are scratching their heads at their start to the season, while we make it nine points in one week.
Tags: billy davies, peterborough united Posted in
I am once again joined by the Maradona of the Midlands for a discussion on the joys of three points, two goals and another clean sheet. I also give him the chance to atone for his post-Hillsborough Man of the Match controversy (my choice would have been Goldie even though he only played the second half) … make up your own mind!
Tags: billy davies, david mcgoldrick, dexter blackstock, joe murphy, Lee Camp, luke chambers, nottingham forest, Paul Anderson, scunthorpe united Posted in
