We managed to preserve our unbeaten record but only just as Watford provided one of our tougher challenges this season. On a difficult surface, we played some decent football in the first half in contrast to the direct approach of the hosts. However, lacking a clinical strike force, we didn’t make the most of our possession. After the break they improved, caused us a lot more problems and we escaped with a point.

With one eye on the Coventry home game, Majewski, Tyson, Earnshaw and Blackstock were all on the bench. As a general rule, draw the aways, win the homes and we won’t be too far away from the top six. It would have been nice to have challenged their defence a bit more, but this approach has served us well so far this season so no real complaints.

Blackstock’s looping header required a finger tip save whilst McGugan and Shorey saw curling efforts narrowly wide. Anderson hit another effort straight at the keeper.

At the other end, we needed three goal line clearances, including one dubious one via Shorey’s arm/chest to keep us level. Another effort curled narrowly wide whilst another bounced off the post to safety.

Camp had one of his busiest afternoons this season with Watford’s direct style of play and had to produce a number of smart interventions to keep us in the game. On the few occasions he was beaten, there was always a defender on the line providing that all important clearance. Gunter, Wilson and finally Shorey all made critical interceptions to keep us level.

With Watford resorting to launching balls from deep areas, Gunter and MOTM Shorey were able to contribute plenty going forward. Shorey, in particular, was responsible for many of our attacks with a series of accurate balls to feet and was never afraid to follow that up with another positive run forward. To round off an impressive performance, he very nearly scored with a long range curling effort narrowly wide and then kept us level via chest/arm in injury time with a goal line clearance.

He’s made such a big difference since his arrival and either his or another left back’s signing will be key during January. He’s probably too good for this division but the benefits of having a genuine left back have been obvious. Having to revert to Cohen or Lynch there again would be a disappointing step backwards.

Wilson and Chambers looked comfortable in the first half as we enjoyed the majority of possession and passed the ball around patiently. Not quite as dominant after the break but neither let the side down as they favoured the aerial approach.

Cohen couldn’t be faulted for effort but struggled to find much quality on the tricky surface. Too often, a simple pass failed to find the target or he just didn’t anticipate the ball coming his way. On the other side, Anderson was pretty ineffective on the bobbling pitch and could only hit a tame shot straight at their keeper from one nice passing move.

McGugan deserved his chance and contributed in parts but we struggled to get the ball to him often enough. He caused them plenty of problems with neat footwork around the area and was only just off target with one curling effort. McKenna did what was required, as always. He was loving every minute of the midfield scrap, organising, arguing our case with the officials, all good stuff.

McGoldrick should really have been replaced earlier in the game as the partnership with Adebola wasn’t really working. Too often he didn’t get close enough to take advantage of Adebola’s strength to hold the ball up. It was another slightly disappointing performance in terms of work rate especially considering the energy expended by his strike partner. He only really started playing in the latter stages when moved back into midfield and then onto the left hand side.

Adebola did his bit for the team, hassling the Watford defence and competing for everything that came his way. We just didn’t make the most of his efforts.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Nicky Shorey

A great display against proven Championship opposition saw us maintain the unbeaten run and establish ourselves as genuine contenders for an automatic place. We have nothing to fear from anyone at the moment.

Preston never looked likely to cause many problems and we took the three points without exerting ourselves. We were even able to rest the likes of Majewski, Earnshaw and Anderson in the second half and leave Blackstock resting on the bench.

We continue to look sound defensively and clinical up front but this victory was all about the qualities in midfield. We nullified Preston’s threat and looked dangerous on the break with a shoot on sight policy with everyone contributing.

This was McKenna’s night and his impressive first for the club got us on the way. Adebola’s clinical finish saw the game end as a contest whilst McGugan’s last finale rounded off a great evening’s work. Watching Forest isn’t supposed to be this much fun!

Camp had another quiet afternoon due to the poor quality of Preston’s finishing. One routine save towards the end of the first half was his most notable contribution. Wilson was yet again the pick of the defence with another assured display. His partnership with Morgan resulted in Preston abandoning their football and reverted to long balls to lumps Parkin and Mellor. Shorey and Gunter spent most of their time supporting our attacks with the former setting up the last two goals.

MOTM McKenna continues to lead by example and forms the heart of our side. In terms of the playing staff, our recent revival is mainly down to his arrival at the club. His ability to break up attacks and get us moving forward was a feature of the game. Preston just could not handle our quality in midfield where we looked in a different class.

Majewski in particular found space in midfield time and again to cause problems. He was unlucky not to score with one curling effort narrowly wide and we didn’t make the most of some of his drives forward. Despite being in the side for his creativity, he didn’t hide from his defensive duties.

Complimenting the presence of McKenna and creativity of Majewski perfectly was the energy of Cohen and the pace of Anderson – they were everywhere. Everything looked so fluid in midfield with the ball moving with pace and precision. Occasionally we didn’t make the most of some impressive build-up play but you can’t really complain with such a routine victory.

McGugan’s late appearance provided the clinching goal with a neat feint and finish whilst McCleary continues to show that there might just be a footballer in there with his direct running.

Adebola is starting to silence those who question his presence in the side with a number of physical displays that bring out the best in our side. On numerous occasions, his instant control and strength allowed Earnshaw and Majewski to get involved.

Earnshaw had one of those days where nothing really went in his favour. One sharp turn and finish was harshly ruled out whilst their keeper produced a smart close range save to prevent another. Despite this, both forward’s work-rate could not be fault and they took turns to drop deep when needed to regain possession. Earlier in the season, his only contribution was goals but the effort is there and he looks a much better all round player now.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Paul McKenna

Previous trips to Swansea have seen us snatch a lucky point having been given the run around by our hosts. However, this was a different story and shows how far we’ve come this season. We conceded too much space in the opening stages but withdrawing McGoldrick back into a deeper role allowed us to dominate midfield and formed the basis for the win.

The whole team seems to understand their role in the side and are playing for each other. It's great watching Forest away from home at the moment as Billy has put together a side worth travelling hours to watch, showing all the fight you need to succeed in this league. They had the better chances in the first half but we were still posing problems at the other end. From one cross, we kept the ball alive through Morgan and Adebola, allowing McGoldrick to score with a slight deflection. Swansea continued to attack, mainly through the dangerous Dyer but we defended from the front and looked increasingly comfortable. They ran out of ideas in the second half with our defence outstanding for the third time in a week. The closest they came to equalising were a couple of hopeful Trundle efforts that failed to trouble Camp.

Camp made a couple of decent saves in the first half and survived a couple of scary moments but was relatively untroubled throughout the second half. One low save, another close range block and one mis-judged cross off the bar was the closest they came.

The defence in front of him were outstanding and was the difference between the sides. MOTM Wilson continues to show the potential that suggests he may be able to succeed at an even higher level. Commanding throughout and led by example with a number of impeccably timed tackles on the edge of our area. Supported almost perfectly by Morgan alongside him and to have only conceded a very soft penalty during the three games this week is an impressive feat. Swansea’s best moments came from wide areas in the first half but Gunter and Shorey responded well after the break and left their wingers running down dead ends. Shorey showed his quality coming forwards with a number of decent left wing crosses.

The energy and enthusiasm of our midfield was key to the result in which Cohen and McKenna continually won 50-50 challenges in our favour. This allowed Majewski to find space and dictate our attacks on the break. On another day, our final ball would have been better and we would have made the most of the attacks that came our way. Majewski lasted the game very well and showed that we can contribute for the full ninety minutes.

Anderson did most of his good work defensively but started to contribute in the second half as we troubled them on the break. He should really have killed off the game when he found himself in space from a left wing cross.

McGoldrick took his goal very well and almost scored with one earlier header that nearly surprised their keeper. Could still improve his work-rate but showed that his longer term future could lie in midfield with an encouraging display. Adebola took a little while to get into the game but once he formed the lone target man he went on to show his best performance in a red shirt. Holding the ball up much better than we’ve managed in recent games, he was able to bring Majewski and McGoldrick into the game and cause them problems. He worked tirelessly for the side, constantly chasing down and defending from the front.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Kelvin Wilson

A battling display at Bramall Lane saw us escape with a point, but only just. Even though we struggled for long spells and tired badly in the second half we defended well enough to escape with a clean sheet and our unbeaten record intact. If we’re going to have an off day, as long as we keep a clean sheet we’ll come away with some reward.
 
We started the better of the sides with good movement off the ball and quick passing but too often failed to find the right pass in the final third or gave the ball away cheaply. The game soon descended into a dull affair with Sheff Utd’s aimless hoofing and Forest struggling to find the quality going forward from recent matches. They really looked a mess in the first half but were much improved after the break when the crowd finally woke up.
The change in formation to accommodate Chambers at right back (and push Gunter into midfield) was working defensively but left us lacking in options going forwards. McKenna curled one straight at the keeper and Morgan’s charge up-field almost found a way though but not much to get excited about.
 
The home side were much improved in the second half especially when the lively Camara entered the game. Forest continued to defend well from most of United’s attacks but when they got their way past Wilson and Morgan, Camp was there time and again to keep us level. One low save from a diving header, another full length save from a low shot, a double save were all badly needed as we found ourselves on the back foot. There were other saves but those ones stood out.
 
At the other end, Earnshaw found space to curl one narrowly wide whilst another well struck effort was heading towards goal until blocked. These were only rare attacks though as it was all pressure from the home side. Blackstock struggled to hold the ball up well enough against Morgan and Kilgannon whilst we lacked someone in midfield to get the ball onto the floor. Too often we got dragged down to United’s level and lumped it. Having got into the last twenty minutes, we got ourselves in a position to change the game from the bench but we didn’t use the options well enough. Adebola was needed to add strength up front but McGugan would have been ideal pushing Cohen wide.
 
With the final whistle approaching, Forest briefly raised their game with a couple of decent crosses without ever looking like threatening their keeper. We’ll take the point and move onto another tough trip to Swansea.
 
MOTM Camp has been barely troubled in the majority of games this season due to the quality of Wilson and Morgan (amongst others). This was a different story as United pressed hard in the second half and without his contribution we’d have lost easily. Chambers slotted into the back four nicely and his aerial presence was definitely needed in the second half when we came under more pressure. Shorey showed his class away from home and never looked rattled despite a lot of attacks coming down their right. Wilson and Morgan did a decent job against Cresswell and Evans but struggled more with the movement of Camara.
 
Cohen was reasonable in the first half with some decent interceptions but looked dead on his feet in the middle of the second. We should have either moved him wide or replaced with McGugan to get us playing again. Having come back from a ban, he’s already picked up 2 more yellow cards. McKenna did what was needed and this was never going to be pretty performance from him. Anderson started lively down the left but disappeared after the opening stages. Didn’t really looked fit and barely lasted an hour. Gunter got into a few decent positions and did a reasonable job down the right but he was there for his defensive qualities which he did fine.
 
Blackstock didn’t really do enough for the team in terms of holding the ball up and bringing others into the game. No surprise when he was replaced. As a result, Earnshaw struggled and had to make chances for himself out of almost nothing, nearly found something but not really his night.
 

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Lee Camp

Leicester was supposed to present the first of three tough games this week but in the end it proved to be a different story.  We fully deserved the margin of victory and from the moment we scored the first, the result was never in doubt. This season just gets better and better and we currently fear no one but the forthcoming trips to Sheffield and Swansea will tell us whether that’s justified.

They couldn’t match the passion and commitment through our side and a succession of 50-50 challenges were won by those in red. Leicester were such a shambles at times that they resorted to two unforced changes in the first half an hour, without any improvement. Their centre backs couldn’t live with the movement of Earnshaw or Blackstock’s ability to bring others into the game.

The only blemish on another excellent defensive display was Wilson’s rash challenge that should have conceded a penalty. His mis-timed challenge was easily inside the area for which the referee and linesman both rightly indicated a penalty. For some reason, the they consulted again and changed his mind to a free kick. Much amusement all round but those in blue failed to see the funny side.

Camp was a virtual spectator for the game with Leicester creating very little due to the quality of our defence and their deficiencies in attack. Gunter and Shorey dominated their opponents to the extent that they spent most of the game supporting our attacks. Shorey hasn’t been properly tested and the remaining games this week should tell us more.

Wilson and Morgan continue to go from strength to strength and were very rarely troubled by the Fryatt, Waghorn, Howard pairings. Wilson got lucky with the non-penalty decision whilst the decision against Morgan was laughable at best. Apart from these rare incidents, one of these two was always on hand with that important clearing header or block.

Majewski was probably the one outfielder who didn’t really perform on the day but the quality of this team performance was so good that it didn’t matter. McKenna had another very impressive afternoon, showing all the qualities that have become a trademark of his season so far. He held the midfield together allowing Anderson and Cohen to run with freedom throughout the pitch.

Cohen had an immediate impact on his return to the midfield, he was everywhere. Typified our non-stop running and hassling attitude from front to back which the visitors could not match or deal with.

Anderson was obviously up for the game and put in one of his best performances in a red shirt. Had one of those afternoons where he looked like to beat an opponent with ease. In the past he hasn’t made the most of decent positions by choosing the wrong option but today he looked a genuine threat. One moment where the ball went one way and he went the other stands out.  Should have scored earlier in the game where he skipped past a feeble midfield challenge but could only find the keeper’s chest. Blackstock again created the goal for him, a pin-point curling effort around the keeper and into the bottom corner.

McCleary’s cameo showed the improvement he’s making under Davies’ tuition. Twice he skipped past their suffering left back and produced crosses that should have been converted. Finally we got reward for his endeavour. He won the ball in midfield, exchanged passes with Cohen and then saw his low shot palmed out for Adebola to add the final punishment.

The quality of MOTM Earnshaw’s three finishes speak for themselves. It’s taken a while for him to get started this season but he looked as sharp as ever right from the opening stages. Too often in a red shirt he’s barely contributed to games away from goal but today was a different story with his work-rate when they were in possession. First, Gunter’s through ball, a neat dummy and finish from Blackstock’s return pass. Next, instant control and chip from Cohen’s shot. Finally, he intercepted a short pass, turned their defence inside and out before a neat chip into the top corner.

Blackstock looked disappointed to be taken off without scoring but more than did enough with his link-up play with Earnshaw. One half volley well saved by the keeper and another header cleared off the line were the closest he came. After the relatively disappointing performances from McGoldrick and others this season, we’ve found our number one pairing for the coming weeks now.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Robert Earnshaw