Posted December 24th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
Huckerby takes a bow at the Christmas game at Norwich. There’s much I could rant about Huckerby and Hart but I won’t. Suffice to say, too good for the Championship, not good enough for the Premiership - but that front three was amazing that season.
Despite their manager calling it just another game, Donny’s players realise the magnitude of Boxing Day’s game.
Andy Cole won’t play for Bacup - there were rumours he may need to run.
And Swansea are interested in Lee Martin’s bad hair, now that we have said we’re letting him go back to Manchester. Martin certainly impressed when he arrived but my impression was that, after his initial couple of games, he thought all it took was a step-over and back-heel and the game was won. So lots of talent, dodgy attitude. Sorry Lee.
Tags: andy cole, bacup, darren huckerby, doncaster rovers, lee martin, norwich city, swansea city Posted in News
Posted November 18th, 2008
by Rahoul Baruah
Norwich are short on confidence in the run up to the game this weekend (which I can’t make).
Emile Sinclair’s loan to Mansfield is extended.
Lee Martin’s bad hair scores for the reserves against Port Vale keeping their unbeaten run going. With Joel Lynch making a start as well.
Tags: emile sinclair, joel lynch, lee martin, news roundup, norwich city Posted in News
Posted September 17th, 2008
by Rish
Another defeat, another match where we concede sloppy goals and are not quite clinical enough at the other end. I did not see/hear/listen to any of the match, save for the BBC Live Text commentary in the last ten minutes, so I don’t feel qualified to comment on any aspect of what actually happened out there; but I would like to comment on the post-match reaction.
Firstly, the boss: Colin Calderwood was clearly angry, and you can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times we have really heard him have a post-match rant:
“There are one or two who are not taking responsibility, it always seems to be someone else’s fault.”
Interesting words, although perhaps understandably CC was not willing to oublicly name names. Suggests to me that the problems from set-pieces are not in the tactics or the coaching, but in players not doing what they should.
As for the fans, there have been the predictable “CC must go” mutterings from a vocal minority, including (apparently) the first “CC out” call to Talksport, as well as a suggestion from someone who went to the match that Lee Martin is pfaffing about too much:
“Mcleary looked good, much better than martin, if you were to say that 6 months ago 1 was at man u and 1 was at bromley martin looked more of the non league player.”
To anyone calling for CC’s head, remember that he did what you asked last night - he went 4-4-2, he dropped Chambers, and he played Andy Andrew Cole. So does that mean that you were wrong too?
From what I have seen this season, I think in some ways we have been too ambitious; Chris Cohen was talking about aiming for the Premier League - there is a big gap in class between League One and the Championship, and although I would love to see us at the top end of the table, I also think that sometimes, you need to take things one step at a time.
While many fans understandably point towards Sir Brian’s legendary assertion that a good team will be built from the back, I also think that we should remember that strong teams also defend from the front. From what I have heard, Andy Andrew Cole showed little or no movement last night, and Lee Martin repeated his trick of giving the ball away, leaving the full-back (in this case Chris Cohen) stranded and leading directly to a goal (see also Wolves away). Despite all the criticism heaped on the full-backs, and occasionally the centre-halves), the change of formation and change of personnel at the back makes it quite apparent that there are people higher up the pitch who aren’t doing their jobs properly.
Finally, a plea to my fellow Reds - just like I have said in previous years, there is little point in looking at the league table at this stage of the season. That doesn’t mean that I think it is OK to be in the bottom three, but it certainly doesn’t mean that we are going to be relegated yet (if you look at the Premier League table, then Tottenham will be relegated and Hull in Europe); there is a lot of football to be played, and the team are doing OK (they were applauded off the pitch by the travelling fans) - it sometimes takes a little time to adjust to playing at a higher level.
Tags: andrew cole, chris cohen, colin calderwood, lee martin, nottingham forest, preston north end Posted in General
Posted August 29th, 2008
by Rish
While delighted to see Lee Martin in the garibaldi, creating and scoring goals, and scaring defenders, in the back of my mind was a nagging doubt about his loan move; Forest had never confirmed how long he would be staying with us for.
Well, now we have confirmation that (despite the NEP’s assertions at the time), Lee was on loan for a month. The good news is that he is now with us until the of the year. Hooray. I wonder what the chances are of extending that (or making it permanent), if he continues to display such good form?
Tags: lee martin, loan deal, nottingham forest Posted in News, Transfers
Posted August 26th, 2008
by Rish
We all know that the modern footballer is very much the epitome of the modern-day metrosexual. Ever since the late 80s, footballers have been swathed in hair gel and peroxide, and these days they personalise themselves further with coloured boots and a range of tattoos. The saving grace is the fact that all footballers have to wear the same kit as their team-mates, don’t they? Well, it seems as though Lee Martin doesn’t:
What’s going on with the white socks over his red ones? My guess is that his boots are too big, so his Mum told him to wear two pairs of socks (it worked for me in school). Maybe he should have worn the white ones underneath though, or maybe he is so vain that he needed to wear the white ones on top, so that they matched his white boots.
Or maybe none of this matters, as long as he keeps playing like he did on Saturday…
Tags: lee martin, nottingham forest, vain footballers, white boots Posted in General
Posted August 24th, 2008
by Rish
Forest:
P Smith
Chambers Morgan Breckin (c) Bennett
Moussi Perch
Cohen
McCleary Earnshaw Martin
Subs: Tyson (McCleary 66), Sinclair (Earnshaw 82), Cole (Martin 86). Not used: Roberts, Thornhill.
Watford (4-3-2-1): Poom; Doyley, Bromby, DeMerit (c), Sadler; Williamson (Francis 59), Eustace, Harley (Priskin 59); McAnuff (Hoskins 26), T Smith; Rasiak. Not used: Loach, Mariappa.
Goals: Martin (10), 1-0; T Smith (22), 1-1; Earnshaw (35), 2-1; T Smith (61), 2-2; Tyson (68), 3-2.
In the podcast we talked a lot about some of the players who did and didn’t do so well, and having seen the highlights on “The Championship”, I want to start by admitting that I may have been a bit harsh on the Moose - he wasn’t as good as he was against Reading, but he had a hand in all three goals, so that counts for a lot! His physical presence in midfield will certainly scare opponents, as will the pace and skill of our three scorers today
The good: Forest were going for it; CC’s tactics have been criticised by many Reds, but he has signed lots of attacking players and seems to want to implement a “pass and move” style of play that just wasn’t possible in League One. On today’s evidence, it might work, because defenders will struggle to cope with the trickery and sheer pace of our forwards.
The not-so-good: The concession of soft goals - both times, Tommy Smith had time and space to score, and having watched the highlights I am afraid that I have to point a finger at Luke Chambers, who was often out of position and seemed a little out of his depth today. Garath McCleary on the right wing also seemed a bit ponderous, as if he wasn’t sure what to do with it - he created a chance for Earnshaw, but apart from that seemed to run into defenders as a result of a heavy first touch.
The ref and his team were poor. They started well, but the award of a corner for Watford’s first goal was ridiculous (linesman in front of Sir Brian’s stand), trumped only by the award of a free-kick to Watford when Hoskins appeared to get brought down by one of his team-mates (referee, standing about ten yards away)! I am not suggesting that the officials were biased though, as Forest got the rub of the green in later decisions, but many fans of both clubs were baffled. I also don’t know where three minutes of first-half injury time came from, nor four minutes in the second…
As we mentioned in the podcast, McAnuff’s aforementioned injury played into Forest’s hands, as Watford brought on Hoskins and went 4-4-2, with Tommy Smith moving wide. This freed up Perchio from his apparent duties shadowing Smith, plugging the great big gap that seemed to exist between defence and midfield. However, Aidy Boothroyd’s subs had a more positive impact for the Hornets in the second half, when the introduction of Priskin and Francis seemed to bamboozle the Forest players, allowing Tommy Smith (who had switched from right-wing to left as part of the reshuffle) the space to slot home again.
Just an honourable mention to a couple of players: Ian Breckin has had his detractors, but he was magnificent today and marshalled the troops well. Paul Smith also had a good game, was not at fault for either goal, and was desperately unfortunate that no Forest player chose to track Tommy Smith after he made a magnificent save from Bromby’s flick for the first Watford goal.
However, for me, the pick of the defensive players was Perchio - after being freed from man-marking Smith, he screened the backline in an almost Scimeca-esque fashion, and we all remember how important Riccy was to the (almost) success of that team. He also played a fantastic through-ball to Tys late on, who will feel that he should have made it 4-2. On any other day, he would have been the eighteensixtyfive Man of the Match, but on this occasion, it has gone to Lee Martin for a fine display of skill, pace and hard work, topped off with a fine goal.
Finally, a mention of two things - despite a disappointing attendance (20,500), there was a decent atmosphere, especially in the second half; on the pitch, we should also take heart that, despite being pegged back on two occasions, the Reds didn’t let their heads drop, and seemed determined to win the match.
Remember that you can listen to our views on the match in the eighteensixtyfive podcast
Tags: ian breckin, james perch, jobi mcanuff, lee martin, nathan tyson, nottingham forest, Robert Earnshaw, tommy smith, watford Posted in General, Match Reports
Posted August 14th, 2008
by Rish
A comfortable victory for Forest, rewarded by a home match against Sunderland. Actually, I am not sure that “rewarded” is the correct word, as Roy Keane is probably one of the few Premier League managers who is likely to put out a strong team for these early stages of the Cup; therefore, this may increase our chances of an early exit. Time will tell.
As I wasn’t at the match, it would be remiss of me to pretend I am in a position to comment. Instead, I will refer you to the likes of the Forest Supporter’s Blog, as well as reflections on the contributions of new boy Lee Martin, and youngsters Joe Heath and Adam Newbold.
What I will say is that I was obviously encouraged by the clean sheet, the goals scored and the contribution of the aforementioned newbies. Success breeds success, and it seems that the mood at the City Ground is quietly confident at the moment.
Tags: adam newbold, carling cup, joe heath, lee martin, morecambe, Robert Earnshaw, roy keane, sunderland Posted in General, News
Posted August 13th, 2008
by Rish
… Now its official, and it looks as though he will play tonight; although neither the Official Site nor the BBC seem willing (or maybe they are not able?) to confirm how long he has signed for..
Tags: lee martin Posted in News, Transfers
Posted August 13th, 2008
by Rish
Robert Earnshaw has already mentioned to official sources how happy he feels at the club, which is not unexpected for a new, big-money signing. I stumbled across another interview, broadly concentrating on his first appearance against Swansea (remember, he made his name at Cardiff), but where he states:
My Forest boss has put a lot of confidence into my game over the summer period
It makes for interesting reading, if you have the time.
Aside from this, following the glut of rumours, the NEP and Daily Mail suggest that Lee Martin will sign for Forest today, on a half-season, or season-long loan, depending upon who you believe. While this may be true, there is (at the time of writing) no confirmation on the official site that this has happened.
People leaving comments on the NEP site make a couple of interesting observations: firstly, that it was disappointing to see that, having just signed for the Reds, Paul Anderson stated about how he wanted to be a success - for Liverpool; secondly, let’s hope that Martin does not end up like our last Man United loanee, the frankly awful Michael Stewart. Unfortunately, in the time that it has taken to write this, the NEP have taken down that link, but I still regard these as interesting thoughts.
In the meantime, following the news that an English Forest fan is now plying his trade for Derby and Scotland, NFFCSporty provides my quote of the day:
The only reason Commons has got a connection with Scotland is that he visits McDonalds a lot
Tags: lee martin, Robert Earnshaw Posted in General, News, Rumours
Posted August 7th, 2008
by Rish
Two bits of gossip today:
- Lee Martin of Manchester United (presumably not the one who scored the winning goal in the 1990 FA Cup Final); he is apparently a winger, although I am not sure whether he is more at home on the left or the right. Although he hasn’t played a league match for United, he has experience with Royal Antwerp, Rangers, Stoke, Plymouth and (last season) Sheffield United, and is apparently attracting attention from Birmingham City. Presumably CC would look to sign him for at least a few months until Paul Anderson regains his fitness.
- Bruno Berner, a Swiss international, recently of Blackburn Rovers (no, I haven’t heard of him either). A left-back, it seems that Festa, Norwich and West Ham are also interested in him. An international player with experience with some of the better known Swiss clubs (Grasshoppers, FC Basle), if CC is interested, it would be to provide experienced competition for Jules (although maybe this is less urgent following the emergence of young Joe Heath).
Tags: bruno berner, colin calderwood, joe heath, julian bennett, lee martin Posted in Rumours
