This season continues to exceed all expectations with another crushing defeat of an established Championship side. This time it was QPR’s turn and they didn’t know what hit them. After a slow opening exchange, two quick Earnshaw goals soon ended this game as a contest. The visiting team were such a shambles that it didn’t take long for the ironic cheering of corners to start. We were playing them at a good time after the departures of Agyemang and Routledge but we still outclassed them for the whole game and thoroughly deserved the win.
 
Blackstock was fouled on the edge of the area for Earnshaw to curl over the wall and inside the post, giving the keeper no chance. The second arrived soon after, Anderson’s run, Blackstocks diversion allowed Earnshaw clean through and he never looks like missing from there. We even found time to score our first penalty of the season. Blackstock raced to grab the ball, despite Earnshaw being on a hat-trick, sent the keeper the wrong way and hammered into the bottom corner.
 
After the break, Cohen charged forward from midfield and his shot through the keeper’s hands brought the forth. Perch charged forward from the back, provided a chance to Cohen and Earnshaw and ended up scoring himself to round off a great evenings work.
 
Camp was solid throughout apart from one dodgy moment where he choose to punch rather than catch a simple cross. Fortunately, he was alive to the rebound and the follow-up ended up in the crowd. He was never really tested apart from a number of half-hit low shots that still needed saving.
 
The loss of Shorey was a concern but this was the perfect game to introduce MOTM Perch into an unfamiliar left back role, barely tested in a defensive sense but more than played his part in the win. We didn’t make the most from a number of bursting runs into the area until one late charge and missed chances fell to him to calmly score the fifth. He also seemed much stronger with his left foot than I remember and didn’t always need to switch back onto his right foot every time. One risky blind pass was the only mistake I can remember him making. Gunter, Wilson and Morgan continue to dominate opposition forward lines with QPR struggling to mount too many attacks worth mentioning.
 
Majewski had the run of the midfield to show off his range of tricks. Some of the through-balls he provided continue to show what he’s capable of and why it’s imperative that we get him signed up to the club as soon as possible. Was struggling for a while at the end of the second half but still finished the game, would have been nice to give him a break but Morgan’s injury probably ruined that. We take McKenna’s performances for granted now, defending and hassling from midfield and preventing many attacks that would previously have trouble the defence.
 
Anderson continues to look more dangerous than earlier in his Forest career with a direct running style taking defenders on. A perfect example was the 2nd goal where he drove from the half-way line, waited for Blackstock to drag the defenders away before laying the perfect ball into Earnshaw’s path. Cohen is starting to add goals to the other obvious qualities, even with the help of some amateurish keeping on this occasion.
 
Blackstock worked tirelessly as ever, bringing other into the game and deserved his goal. Won the free-kick for the 1st and made an important run in the build up to the 2nd to demonstrate how important he is to this team. Earnshaw’s class in front of  goal speaks for itself and should really have converted one of the other chances that came his way to complete the hat-trick.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM James Perch

The first half produced some of the best football we’ve seen this season and the game should have been over as a contest. In the end, we only had two goals to show for our efforts as Reading came storming back and caused us some nervy moments. The most positive aspect of the afternoon was that everyone in the squad contributed to the victory, including the substitutes.

Earnshaw’s volley and Blackstock miss when clean through on goal should have killed off the game. In the end, Anderson’s finish from Cohen’s driving run followed by Earnshaw’s smart finish from Majewksi’s pass did the damage.

We still deserved the win and the three points lifts us to within striking distance of Newcastle. It will be interesting to see how they react to some pressure; their record in the past hasn’t always been that great.

MOTM Camp had an outstanding second half, with a couple of early low saves from diving header but the best was yet to come. His poor kick actually led to Shorey’s red card and resulting penalty. However, Camp redeemed himself with the save to maintain the two goal lead. Was finally beaten in injury time but we’d done enough.

Due to the red card, Shorey could have played his last game for the club. His introduction added a new dimension to the side at both ends of the field and he will be badly missed. How we respond to his departure will be key to how the season continues. We’ve suffered before with players filling in and to take Gunter or Cohen out of their natural positions would be a massive step backwards. The addition of a specialist left back is the primary requirement of this transfer window.

Anderson was a constant threat throughout and in recent weeks has added a more threatening dimension to his performances. Previously, he would have found himself running towards the corner flag and away from danger, now he’s always looking to take on his full back. Time and again, he cut in from the left hand side to provide service for the forwards which reduces the reliance on Majewski to deliver.

On the other side, Cohen was everywhere and directly involved in both goals with his running power. Firstly, he carried the ball from inside our own half to find Anderson to score and then chasing a lost cause resulting in the poor clearance leading up to the second. With the side down to ten men, we relied on his work-rate to make up for the missing player.

Blackstock worked tirelessly at both ends and caused ex-Forest target Mills numerous problems. His ability to bring others into the game was at the centre of most of our breaks with everyone benefitting from his display. Should have finished off the game in first half injury time but that was the only negative on a great afternoons work.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Lee Camp

This season just gets better and better. This was supposed to be one of the toughest away trips of the season but we turned it into a stroll. We have the capabilities within this squad to answer any questions posed by anyone in this league. More importantly, we have a manager capable of getting the best from the squad. The way we’re playing, there’s no limit to how much we can achieve this season.

If Di Matteo thought that our lone striker formation indicated a defensive attitude to the game, then he was sadly mistaken. His team had no answer to the desire, pace and movement of our midfield and Gunter raiding down the right hand side. Anyone watching our team knows that the last thing we are is defensive with the number of options we possess. In the end, we were just too good for them.

This was our standard line-up against the tougher teams, this sees Moussi and McKenna marshal the midfield, allowing Cohen, Anderson and Majewski to cause havoc on the break, ably supported by the full backs to provide the width. Blackstock holds everything together with his work rate, hold-up and inter-play.

It took ten minutes for us to get going after a scrappy opening, but once we found our passing range there was no stopping us. Majewski corner’s found Blackstock on the volley to score with ease, off the post.

The hosts very rarely troubled us with Moussi and McKenna bossing the midfield. Every 50-50 was won by a red shirt, with the talent to attack, with quality, on the break. Gunter raided down the right, got to the bye-line but Majewski couldn’t convert the pull back – no matter, their time would come.

We continued to make West Brom look just as average after the break. They couldn’t handle our midfield and we stifled any intentions they had of playing football. The dominance of our midfield was evident with the two quick-fire goals that killed off the game.

No one apart from Moussi was bothered about their aimless clearance, Cohen nicked the ball away and into Gunter’s path. He continued into the area and his perfect cross found Majewski past the far post to score with an unbelievable left foot volley in off the bar. Unstoppable.

We continued in the same pattern and rounded things off with as good a team goal as you’ll see. A number of first time passes down the right hand side resulted in Cohen cutting inside onto his left foot and finding the bottom corner. A sign of the confidence that’s running through the side and it’s hard to imagine any recent Forest side scoring a goal of that quality.

Three goals ahead, we handed them a consolation goal. Morgan should have cleaned up either man or ball on the half-way line but a neat through ball and calm finish finally saw Camp beaten. Once Moussi had tired himself out, we lacked that dominating presence in midfield until Perch’s late appearance added some extra steel to the midfield to see us over the finishing line.   

Camp cruised through the game, handling everything that West Brom could manage. Set pieces and crosses were handled with ease, their late rally resulting in decent saves from Olsson and Miller.

Gunter nullified the supposed threat of Thomas down the left and continued to show his obvious qualities at the other end. The perfect cross for Raddy’s goal was only one of a number of dangerous runs forward. Shorey didn’t have the same impact going forward but he’s there to defend and did that job comfortably.

Centre backs Wilson and Morgan continue to go from strength to strength. One lapse cost us their goal but dominant throughout despite all the changes they made.

The game was won in midfield with everyone contributing. McKenna and Moussi were everywhere, never letting Albion settle. It was noticeable that Moussi’s departure led to a drop in the work-rate and allowed them more time on the ball. Things improved when Perch joined in for the closing stages to increase the number of challenges.

Anderson worked tirelessly at both ends and was really struggling in the latter stages. Looked lively with the ball and seems to be developing a more direct style now and taking men on. Should have earned the side a penalty after a blatant barge into his back. Cohen’s form has dipped in the past couple of games but he was looking back to his best here and looking much sharper. Rounded off a fantastic evenings work with a composed low finish for his first of the season.

This formation is reliant on MOTM Majewski’s movement, ability to find space and supporting Blackstock / tracking back when required. On this form, there’s no stopping him. Besides the obvious attacking threat his possesses, he still finds time to get back and do his share of defensive work. A finish out of this world for the second but one that he’s clearly capable of.
Blackstock hassled their defence throughout, never let them settle and forced them into numerous errors. Once the ball is under control, has the ability to make the most of it. On the rare occasions he gave the ball away, he’s always tracking back to make amends. A quality finish for the opener despite the cynical shirt pulling against him.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Radoslaw Majewski

Despite the feeling of invincibility that’s surrounded the club post-West Brom, the unbeaten run was always going to end at some stage. Just a shame that it had to be our neighbours who enjoy the pleasure but there would have been more damage done had we lost to one of our promotion rivals. We’ll quickly write this one off and get back to business next Saturday.

No complaints over the result, they just about deserved the points despite the unsavoury feeling that now accompanies these matches. Non-league Nigel didn’t do himself any favours with an afternoon spent on the touch-line arm-waving and moaning at the slightest decision.

This was one of those very rare occasions this season where we didn’t perform anywhere near our potential. The team selection didn’t help and it still feels like Billy got it wrong. Having dominated the midfield at West Brom, it seemed obvious to rest Earnshaw and get Moussi in there but we chose to retain an unchanged team. Having demolished QPR in mid-week you can see the logic but we badly missed the extra man deeper.

As the game proceeded, we were out-fought in midfield and could only bring on Moussi and Adebola as we chased the game. We should have tried to out-number them in midfield and increase our attacking options in the second half, not reduce them.  

We were unable to get any control of the midfield to get our quick passing on the break working and struggled to create and chances. Earnshaw’s early low shot almost squeezed through the legs on the line whilst Blackstock and then Anderson failed to fully capitalised on Gunter’s perfect right wing cross.

Majewski produced the one moment of quality, beating two men, but the pull back was fired at Anderson when more precision was required. We should have had the chance to equalised from the spot after Blackstock was hauled down in the area having turned their defender and through on goal. Amazingly the decision went the other way when a penalty and red card looked the only possible outcome. This summed up the frustrating afternoon nicely.

At the other end, their lack of style was there for all to see. With the midfield almost ignored, every set piece was launched towards our area even from within their own half. Missing Shorey’s calming influence, we conceded too many free kicks and corners and eventually got caught out.  Commons free-kick saw Hulse beat Perch in the air leaving Camp with no chance.

Hulse can consider himself lucky to have still been on the pitch, after one poor challenge saw a yellow card, he then went studs first into Wilson – definite foul and second yellow but nothing given. With stronger officials, this would have been clamped down earlier in the game.

MOTM Camp was solid throughout and was one of the few who played to their potential. Defensively we looked pretty solid from the numerous set pieces but lacked the qualities of Shorey to prevent them in the first place. Perch played well on Tuesday night but wasn’t really tested. We got found out here and shows exactly why a dedicated left back is required. Morgan and Wilson won plenty in the air but it was only a matter of time before someone escaped from their attention.

We lacked numbers in midfield due to the decent job they did in stopping us playing and as a result the forwards struggled to make any real impact. Their work-rate was impressive and hassled us well throughout as we struggled to make many telling contributions going forwards.

Credit to Billy for lifting the spirits of the travelling fans at the end. Obviously we’re disappointed with the result, but full of beans he wanders over pointing to his chest and pointing upwards (presumably to the Premier League) – the club is in good hands and has a lot to look forward this season, unlike our neighbours...

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Tags: Games Lost, MOTM Lee Camp