A couple of changes from the Leeds game, as we lined up in our now familiar diamond formation.
The surprise return of Chris Cohen to the starting line up was probably the only bright spot of today’s game.
Firstly, Derby had a single game-plan (that worked very well). Kick Dexter Blackstock. Really hard.
Secondly, the referee had a nightmare. The first 20 minutes, he decided not to show any cards (presumably to let the game flow). So Dex was black and blue, as he was felled over and over again. Then as he realised that he was losing control of the game, he became card-happy. Despite the repeated offences by Derby players, it was our players (Reid first) that ended up with the yellows.
Thirdly, the game was physical, with not much in the way of football. Or chances.
Fourthly, by half time, the ref had obviously decided he needed to stamp his authority on the game. Which he did by handing Dex a straight red – apparently for an elbow. However, no-one in the ground, apart from him saw it. The tell-tale sign was that the Derby players seemed as surprised as Dex was.
Fifthly, Reid had a bad game. His positioning was off, both going forward and more importantly defensively. This left Harding exposed – especially for their goal.
Lastly, Cox can’t play up-front on his own.
I don’t have much more to say – I wasn’t impressed with SOD’s post match interview, I’m not impressed by our continuing lack of width and I’m really disappointed (but not surprised) by Derby’s anti-football. And there’s also the referee, who had totally lost control of the game (booking Cox and Harding for obstruction when they were a yard away and complaining about the Derby keeper’s timewasting, booking Gillett for complaining after he was almost taken out by an elbow).
But the poor form is entirely predictable. This is a brand new team that hasn’t had the luxury of a pre-season together and as such, is not showing much understanding. We knew this would happen, we just need to plough through it and get out the other side.
Hit the play button at the top to listen to our thoughts.
Comments
All u forest fans blamed the ref against leeds.get a life
4 minutes in I stopped listening, why? Excuses, excuses, excuses.
Targeting Dexter? Give over, Forest were shit today, no width, no pace, nothing. Forest wouldn’t of scored if we was still playing now.
The game could quite easily of ended up a 5 a side game, both teams were bad as each other. Time to man up and accept defeat, and look at the real reasons why Forest lost today.
So you didnt see them target dex today then? Agree no excuses but dex was harshly dispatched by the ref and it wouldnt of hapoened if direby back 4 was booked earlier + moaning about yhe ref against dirty leeds? And why not jason pearce should of been sent off on 2 seperate occasions, goal disallowed which shouldnt of been and general bias to leeds when there at home all the time its boring. refs and the fa need to take a good hard look at their beautiful game their spoiling
The worst foul of the first half was the one that nearly broke Brayfords leg, and that wasn’t even given as a foul.
Blackstock was moaning like a biatch all first half and deserved at least a yellow for this repeated whining, and then the elbow (accidental as it probably was) would still deserve a second yellow. There are always unintentional fouls in football, intent doesn’t mean it isn’t a bookable offense, especially as the infraction drew blood.
A lot of Forest players were crying over nothing, and whilst perhaps the booking Cox got was harsh, the fact that Harding would repeat the offense identically means he deserves a booking for his stupidity.
We scored a decent goal, and you can’t predict how the second half would have progressed 11v11, Ward looked like a much bigger threat second half. The fact is, the referee gave Forest many soft free kicks around the box in the first half and you didn’t take your chances, you cannot blame the ref for your failings here I am afraid.
What utter rubbish…..You clearly did not see what everyone else did. Blackstock man-handled his way through the game. He fell over a few times but putting your elbow into someone’s face is dangerous and totally unacceptable. The studs up tackle of one of the Forest players was the worst…..Sour grapes taste better on a monday
‘Anti-Football’….the most moronic phrase in football. There is no such thing, it is called tactics. A tactic that won the game. It’s not as though we were seriously threatened before Blackstock got sent off anyway. Clough was very cautious after the goal but that is the nature of the beast. The fact we won the three points fully vindicate his decisions.
Wipe you vagina and get on with it! If your fans where a 13th man like derby’s and stop moaning at everything then you might build up your teams confidence!!! Simples
Would we have won the game with eleven men, on the basis of the first half showing? Maybe not.
Did the ref change the game? Definitely.
Should Forest players have had more discipline (both in terms of infringements and the way they were playing)? Probably.
We don’t mind losing; there were no complaints from us this time last year. We do mind feeling cheated out of the match.
Oh, and we do say in the podcast that the Cox challenge in the first half was the worst of the lot at that stage. Ref was making it up as he went along and had no control.
How did you come to the conclusion that blackstock caught him with his elbow delibratly? Even keogh after the game said it wasnt a red which says alot really. no one in the ground except the ref thought it was a red, no derby player, fan or staff went up in arms over the 50/50 challenge for the ball.
It’s just a game you know. Is there any need for phrases such as ‘get a life’ and ‘wipe your vagina’….?