Deadbat_DB
Vital Squad Member
It was another disappointing away day in the Midlands for United as another sub-standard performance saw the Blades lose to a Lewis Grabban goal in a poor game at the City Ground. Neither side created much all game and it seemed destined for a stalemate until one moment of quality saw Carvalho skip past Kieron Freeman and hit an angled cross that was deftly flicked in by Grabban. United did not have a significant effort on goal all game and Forest in the end saw them out relatively comfortably with a late scramble that ricocheted wide the closest they came. Sadly, given a real chance to extend their lead at the top of the table; United lacked the belief and performance they needed and now have been knocked off the top.
Faced with injuries and suspension; Wilder brought in Crainie and Coutts into the starting eleven and chose to keep McGoldrick on the bench with him being on four bookings. Duffy was still not considered fit enough to start. Forest were missing suspended Jack Colback but still had a side packed full of talent/high transfer fees and will have wanted a response to the defeat at Burton in the week.
United kicked away from their sold out away following towards the Trent End of the City Ground. United stated with a decent move and Norwood dragged his shot wide. Little did we know that would be one of United’s closest attempts to a goal all afternoon! Forest grew into the game and Lolley hit a half volley over before good work from Cash nearly led to a chance but Egan read the game well. The same man then got a good tackle in as Grabban tried to get around the back.
Both teams were giving the ball away and it was not a classic at all. The ball resembled a hot potato at times and United seemed to lack the fluidity they have shown for much of the season. Sharp won two free kicks with good hold up play and use of his body but they came to nothing. Freeman was slow to react and Egan had to get him out of trouble with another smart piece of defensive play. Forest were having more of the ball in midfield now and United were just not getting hold of it and the home side won a couple of corners but the Blades defended well.
Egan had a header down and wide from a corner before Norwood’s corner was flicked over the bar from Pantilimon before Robinson made Henderson have to scurry across to save at the other end. The half time whistle came soon after in a relatively even game that had lacked any real clear-cut chances at all.
The second half saw Forest start the better and Cash showed nimble feet to get in but was defended well by O’Connell. Stevens shot was well off target and then Sharp from United’s best move angled his head wide and over from a deep cross from the right. Grabban and then Carvalho showed neat touches to stretch United but Cranie and then Egan got back to make telling interceptions.
McGoldrick came on for Coutts in an attempt to give United more control of the ball and more of an attacking threat. It was a bit more open now and Lolley then got in but dragged his shot wide. Guedioura was becomingly increasingly influential as Forest started to control more of the ball but they were not creating that much and the goal came out of nothing.
Carvalho had caused one or two problems and skipped inside Freeman who should have done much better and then the midfielder hit a great cross-cum-shot that GRABBAN got the slightest of touches with his head and into the far corner. It was the one moment of quality in a really poor game and United were now chasing anything they could get from the game. Fleck tried to run at men but lost the ball and Henderson had to save a low shot as Lolley looked to put the game to bed.
McGoldrick at least was able to give United more of the ball after the goal with some neat touches as he slowed things down and brought others into play. Sadly, United were not testing the Forest goal at all and made a double change with Woodburn and Baldock coming on for Cranie and Freeman. Baldock drew a poor foul as he sprinted down the right but the set play was cleared. Soon after United did have a chance as the ball bounced around in the area after Egan’s header at the back post but the ball bounced the wrong side of the post inadvertently off Woodburn. Three minutes of stoppage time saw United win a late corner and up came Henderson but the ball was cleared the final whistle came immediately after this.
United – Last year I came to Forest and we played really well. Duffy was sensational and we outplayed them most of the game. Somehow, we lost 2-1 in a game we bossed throughout save for two sloppy goals. We looked a really good side. We played great football and it was swashbuckling stuff all afternoon. I think despite the defeat even we shocked Forest that day how good we were. Today was nothing like that. We were pedestrian, poor in possession, gave the ball away and never looked like scoring. It was a really average-poor performance. We had no decent attempts on goal all game and the keeper did not make a save. The only saving grace is Forest were poor too. It was a rotten game with no quality really at all save for the cross for the goal. Outside of this I cannot think of many good moments either way. We need to do much more in such games if we want to stay in the top 6 by the end of the season as games likes that will happen quite a bit. We need to be able to raise our game, play higher up the pitch and try to dictate to teams. Today that simply did not happen. We were very passive and almost sluggish. Defensively we kept our shape and limited to them of course but it was like we were happy with the game being level. We needed to push onto them and turn them round but it never happened and we lacked belief that we could really hurt them.
It was a 0-0 game and like Bristol City and Derby we needed to just get the point and get out. As with those games we did not do that as other teams have produced that bit of quality to get three excellent crosses in to score and win games. So, games we should have got three draws from; we have lost all three. We were poor but deserved a draw but did not get it. After they scored we huffed and puffed but other than a scramble never really looked like scoring and there was no quality or composure all game. We never got behind them; the wing backs did not advance and the midfield was so fixed with no movement or penetration all game. We tried to pass it through all game and were three fixed compartments and with the passing poor; it meant we never had the ball for a decent spell all game. It was really disappointing. We did not press or harry and at times seemed to be just going through the motions. For a top of the table side; I felt as many Forest fans have said; we looked crap to be honest. We looked a side that would be mid table at best.
Worrying that we have played some of the better teams recently in Forest and Derby and both have not been that great but have beaten us still. We have to do much better. Both games were winnable but individually and collectively we were found lacking. We were desperately missing someone getting on the ball and taking the game by the scruff of the neck but it was all so passive. No one wanted to make a difference and seize the initiative. I actually felt we lacked belief today. We were top of the league and confidence should have been high but we looked like we did not believe we would create much or score a goal which is bizarre. Is it all down to Basham and Duffy not playing? We will have times when players miss and it was not like Coutts and Cranie were awful but we did not look the same team and miss the threats they give us. With McGoldrick on the bench our attacking threat was nil. I did not think we were ever going to score today at all. I did not see us conceding either but when it did come; we had a long time to get back into it but never looked like even getting a clear chance.
So, on we go to Friday. Wednesday are in a bit of a mess and both teams managers will want a reaction. We have to put in a 90 minute performance which we have not done since the international break and even though we are still 2nd; it is one win, two defeats and a draw since and sadly as we have started to play some of the better teams at least table wise; results have dropped off and indeed performances (Stoke for 70 mins and Derby for 45 apart) have not been that great. Still it is a weird division and we are still 2nd and can go back top with a win on Friday. There are so many odd results at this level so anything could happen Friday night. We need to make sure we are bang at it. If we can start well and get that first goal I feel we will win but the longer the game goes on; they do have some quality that can still score goals out of nothing (Reach, Joao etc) but if we play like we can do then I feel we will win.
Faced with injuries and suspension; Wilder brought in Crainie and Coutts into the starting eleven and chose to keep McGoldrick on the bench with him being on four bookings. Duffy was still not considered fit enough to start. Forest were missing suspended Jack Colback but still had a side packed full of talent/high transfer fees and will have wanted a response to the defeat at Burton in the week.
United kicked away from their sold out away following towards the Trent End of the City Ground. United stated with a decent move and Norwood dragged his shot wide. Little did we know that would be one of United’s closest attempts to a goal all afternoon! Forest grew into the game and Lolley hit a half volley over before good work from Cash nearly led to a chance but Egan read the game well. The same man then got a good tackle in as Grabban tried to get around the back.
Both teams were giving the ball away and it was not a classic at all. The ball resembled a hot potato at times and United seemed to lack the fluidity they have shown for much of the season. Sharp won two free kicks with good hold up play and use of his body but they came to nothing. Freeman was slow to react and Egan had to get him out of trouble with another smart piece of defensive play. Forest were having more of the ball in midfield now and United were just not getting hold of it and the home side won a couple of corners but the Blades defended well.
Egan had a header down and wide from a corner before Norwood’s corner was flicked over the bar from Pantilimon before Robinson made Henderson have to scurry across to save at the other end. The half time whistle came soon after in a relatively even game that had lacked any real clear-cut chances at all.
The second half saw Forest start the better and Cash showed nimble feet to get in but was defended well by O’Connell. Stevens shot was well off target and then Sharp from United’s best move angled his head wide and over from a deep cross from the right. Grabban and then Carvalho showed neat touches to stretch United but Cranie and then Egan got back to make telling interceptions.
McGoldrick came on for Coutts in an attempt to give United more control of the ball and more of an attacking threat. It was a bit more open now and Lolley then got in but dragged his shot wide. Guedioura was becomingly increasingly influential as Forest started to control more of the ball but they were not creating that much and the goal came out of nothing.
Carvalho had caused one or two problems and skipped inside Freeman who should have done much better and then the midfielder hit a great cross-cum-shot that GRABBAN got the slightest of touches with his head and into the far corner. It was the one moment of quality in a really poor game and United were now chasing anything they could get from the game. Fleck tried to run at men but lost the ball and Henderson had to save a low shot as Lolley looked to put the game to bed.
McGoldrick at least was able to give United more of the ball after the goal with some neat touches as he slowed things down and brought others into play. Sadly, United were not testing the Forest goal at all and made a double change with Woodburn and Baldock coming on for Cranie and Freeman. Baldock drew a poor foul as he sprinted down the right but the set play was cleared. Soon after United did have a chance as the ball bounced around in the area after Egan’s header at the back post but the ball bounced the wrong side of the post inadvertently off Woodburn. Three minutes of stoppage time saw United win a late corner and up came Henderson but the ball was cleared the final whistle came immediately after this.
United – Last year I came to Forest and we played really well. Duffy was sensational and we outplayed them most of the game. Somehow, we lost 2-1 in a game we bossed throughout save for two sloppy goals. We looked a really good side. We played great football and it was swashbuckling stuff all afternoon. I think despite the defeat even we shocked Forest that day how good we were. Today was nothing like that. We were pedestrian, poor in possession, gave the ball away and never looked like scoring. It was a really average-poor performance. We had no decent attempts on goal all game and the keeper did not make a save. The only saving grace is Forest were poor too. It was a rotten game with no quality really at all save for the cross for the goal. Outside of this I cannot think of many good moments either way. We need to do much more in such games if we want to stay in the top 6 by the end of the season as games likes that will happen quite a bit. We need to be able to raise our game, play higher up the pitch and try to dictate to teams. Today that simply did not happen. We were very passive and almost sluggish. Defensively we kept our shape and limited to them of course but it was like we were happy with the game being level. We needed to push onto them and turn them round but it never happened and we lacked belief that we could really hurt them.
It was a 0-0 game and like Bristol City and Derby we needed to just get the point and get out. As with those games we did not do that as other teams have produced that bit of quality to get three excellent crosses in to score and win games. So, games we should have got three draws from; we have lost all three. We were poor but deserved a draw but did not get it. After they scored we huffed and puffed but other than a scramble never really looked like scoring and there was no quality or composure all game. We never got behind them; the wing backs did not advance and the midfield was so fixed with no movement or penetration all game. We tried to pass it through all game and were three fixed compartments and with the passing poor; it meant we never had the ball for a decent spell all game. It was really disappointing. We did not press or harry and at times seemed to be just going through the motions. For a top of the table side; I felt as many Forest fans have said; we looked crap to be honest. We looked a side that would be mid table at best.
Worrying that we have played some of the better teams recently in Forest and Derby and both have not been that great but have beaten us still. We have to do much better. Both games were winnable but individually and collectively we were found lacking. We were desperately missing someone getting on the ball and taking the game by the scruff of the neck but it was all so passive. No one wanted to make a difference and seize the initiative. I actually felt we lacked belief today. We were top of the league and confidence should have been high but we looked like we did not believe we would create much or score a goal which is bizarre. Is it all down to Basham and Duffy not playing? We will have times when players miss and it was not like Coutts and Cranie were awful but we did not look the same team and miss the threats they give us. With McGoldrick on the bench our attacking threat was nil. I did not think we were ever going to score today at all. I did not see us conceding either but when it did come; we had a long time to get back into it but never looked like even getting a clear chance.
So, on we go to Friday. Wednesday are in a bit of a mess and both teams managers will want a reaction. We have to put in a 90 minute performance which we have not done since the international break and even though we are still 2nd; it is one win, two defeats and a draw since and sadly as we have started to play some of the better teams at least table wise; results have dropped off and indeed performances (Stoke for 70 mins and Derby for 45 apart) have not been that great. Still it is a weird division and we are still 2nd and can go back top with a win on Friday. There are so many odd results at this level so anything could happen Friday night. We need to make sure we are bang at it. If we can start well and get that first goal I feel we will win but the longer the game goes on; they do have some quality that can still score goals out of nothing (Reach, Joao etc) but if we play like we can do then I feel we will win.