This was probably the best team performance we’ve seen this season. In contrast to Cardiff’s set of individuals, we had eleven men fighting for a common cause and desperate to earn those vital three points. Everyone played their part in the win, with the likes of Anderson and Earnshaw having much better games than in recent weeks. It was noticeable that in the closing stages, we looked the fitter side with the likes of Konchesky, Cohen, McKenna and McGugan covering plenty of ground. MOTM Camp made a number of key saves at important times, to keep us level in the first half and prevent them going ahead after the gift penalty.

To their credit, Cardiff started brightly and Camp had to make smart saves from Bellamy and Bothroyd whilst relying on Konchesky to clear another Bellamy effort off the line. Despite having the better chances, Cardiff still looked a little ordinary in possession and lacked subtlety in their build-ups. In contrast, we looked better in possession, even though it took us a little time to get going and start creating clear chances. Defensively, we looked solid with the two lumps up front for Cardiff resorting to falling to the floor every time Chambers or Morgan won another aerial challenge.

In an entertaining end to end game, we weren’t without our own chances. Anderson sent Earnshaw clear, only to see his effort ruled out for offside, when the former should have continued his dangerous run forward on his own. Cohen’s free kick found Earnshaw but he got too much on his close range header and it flew harmlessly wide when even missing it completely might have brought a better result.

Having looked like we won’t get the reward for a decent spell of possession and great inter-play, McGugan’s corner to the back post found Morgan to power a header into the roof of the net. With Cardiff increasingly on the back foot, Anderson combined with Earnshaw down the left and found McGugan whose effort clipped the bar. At this stage, we found ourselves in control and didn’t want the half to end.

The second half started a little disjointed with neither side really on top. We remained comfortably ahead, with only one effort, again saved by Camp, causing us any real problems. Suddenly, they found themselves back in the game following a shocking refereeing decision. McKenna clearly won the ball, no one claimed for a foul, yet the official saw fit to point to the spot and they found themselves level from nowhere. This only fired Cardiff up and one swerving effort from long range nearly caught out Camp but he saved well with his legs.

We continued to pass the ball well in midfield and look dangerous on the break and this proved to be the difference. McKenna continuing find performances he displayed in his early Forest career whilst McGugan looked a threat throughout with a definite return to form. Anderson looked much more threatening and was involved in a lot of the good moves we put together, with an end product to the runs he made. This sort of game was perfect for Cohen to show his energy from midfield with a number of neat touches whilst in possession, another player whose form seems to be returning just in time for the closing stages of the season.

The winning goal came from another neat build up in midfield. McGugan received the ball with his back to goal, suffered a bad tackle from behind but still managed to release Anderson, whose vision saw Earnshaw to score with typical ease.

As has been evident quite often this season, we look much more assured in the closing stages of games and never looked like surrendering the lead. We even had the best chance to extend our lead when Tyson won the ball in his own half, caught them on the break but saw his shot saved when both McGugan and McGoldrick were clear to his left. A strange decision not to release his team-mates but fortunately, one that didn’t cost us.

Tags: Games Won, MOTM Lee Camp