We didn’t learn anything from the first leg and in typical Forest fashion fell apart in spectacular style. Having got ourselves level twice through MOTM Earnshaw, we contrived to conceded 3 quick goals as our challenge fell apart in the second half.

It was pretty obvious that McKenna and Cohen would struggle to last the 90 mins and it was too much to expect Majewski to deal with their midfield on his own. As with Saturday, the longer the game continued the greater the influence of the Blackpool midfield. It’s a sign of the recent progress made by Moussi that his absence affected us more than anything over the two legs.

Perch defensive failings were there for all to see on Saturday and bizarrely, we decided to make things even harder for him by exposing him at left back. As we’ve been preparing for the play-offs for weeks then surely it would have made sense to give him some games in this position beforehand. Yet again found out when it mattered with mistakes that cost us dearly.

Tyson’s recent performances have been poor and today was no exception. His preference to Anderson was another selection that didn’t make much sense. Yet again, Boyd wasn’t given the opportunity to put his obvious talents to any use and his loan spell ended up being a massive disappointment.

Other things went against us, with a couple of close offside calls, a crucial deflection for their second and Camp’s one error of the season for the opener. All that would detract from Blackpool’s all action performance that we had no answer to.

However, it’s been obvious for a while now that the likes of Tyson, Perch and Adebola just aren’t good enough to be part of a squad challenging in this league. McGugan and McGoldrick have also struggled to make any impression whilst Garner, McCleary and Lynch have generally been unable to get on the bench.

The chairman has indicated that up to three new faces were likely to arrive but realistically it should be up to double that to add both quality and depth to the squad. We were lucky with injuries until the closing stages and it would be unrealistic to expect the same next time around.

We also have to find a massive improvement on our travels. Four wins from 23 games is a pitiful return and one that has been masked by the incredible home form. Getting the most from the obvious talents of Earnshaw and Majewksi whilst retaining enough steel in midfield would be a start.

There's still plenty to be positive after a season that exceeded everyone's expectations. There are so many memorable moments to take away and with some minor improvements there’s no reason that we can’t enjoy a similar run next time around.

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Tags: Games Lost, MOTM Robert Earnshaw

A third defeat to Blackpool proved to be a familiar story for Forest on our travels this season. Having established ourselves in the first half, we lacked that clinical finish to take advantage of a number of decent chances that came our way. Blackpool improved after the break and we were slightly fortunate to only find ourselves a single goal down going into the second leg. The returns of McKenna and Cohen were a timely boost but the loss of Moussi through injury was to cost us through the second half.

After an even opening spell, it was Forest who took an early through an outstanding curling effort from Cohen. There looked to be nothing on but the keeper could only watch it fly into the top corner. Morgan almost doubled the lead, narrowly missing Cohen’s curling free kick before some slack defending gifted them an equaliser.

Their full back carried the ball across the penalty area before finding an unmarked player wide left to cross for another left all alone to score with a scuffed shot. Really poor defending when we needed to be at our best. Question marks over Anderson’s marking of the full back, Perch going missing at right back and no one marking in the centre.

Forest responded well and should have been back in front before half time. Anderson skipped down the left, crossed for Blackstock’s looping header off the bar and Tyson’s rebound over. Morgan was unlucky not to score with another effort cleared via the post.

Half-time came at the wrong time with Forest looking dangerous on the break, especially with Anderson down the left hand side. However, it was a different story in the second half as Blackpool took advantage of a weary Forest midfield to cause us numerous problems.

With Cohen and McKenna lacking fitness and Moussi out injured, we struggled to contain their movement from midfield. Finally their pressure counted with Perch committed a needless clumsy foul when there where others better placed to clear. Camp was sent the wrong way from Adam’s spot kick.

Perch was nowhere to be seen as Campbell was clean through but fortunately his effort cleared the bar. We had another escape when Wilson’s perfect tackle on the edge of the area was harshly judged to be a foul. The resulting kick from Adam could only hit the wall. Another bobbling shot towards the end crept just past the post with the Forest defence only watching on.

Cohen, yet again, continued to be the one most likely to equalise for us. One free kick from the edge of the area narrowly over whilst another long range injury effort needed a great low save from their keeper.

MOTM Wilson was one of the few to perform as expected for the full game. Cohen looked very good in patches but understandably tired in the closing stage. Anderson always seemed the most likely to create something in the first half but contributed little after the break.

Both Perch and Tyson continued their recent indifferent form and should find their places in doubt from Chambers and Earnshaw to provide greater attacking threat. McGoldrick and Earnshaw didn’t really make much impact as second half replacements after the workrate that Blackstock displayed. It looked a perfect chance for Garner to continue his recent form.

Despite finding ourselves behind, we’re still right in the contention for the tie overall. Back amongst familiar surroundings with a decent surface and a more favourable referee, there’s no reason why we can’t get the opening goal and take it from there.

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Tags: Games Lost, MOTM Kelvin Wilson