No real complaints over the result, a point was probably about right after another battling away performance. The build-up play was pretty decent but too often the resulting cross wasn't good enough for us to take advantage.
 
The only time we provided any real service for the forwards, McGugan produced a fantastic low cross that was begging to be converted - McGoldrick duly obliged. There weren't too many other chances to get excited about as we often took the wrong option or failed to produce any quality service.
 
At the other end, Palace struggled to play much football but still ended up creating the better chances. We weren't helped by the performance of the referee who seemed intent on giving Palace as many shooting attempts from free kicks as possible. Almost every Forest challenge resulted in a whistle and it was only a matter of time before Ambrose found his range and the top corner. Fortunately, we re-grouped at half time and came out to force the deserved equaliser.
 
MOTM Camp has been more involved in the past couple of games as we've had to work much harder to preserve the unbeaten run. On this occasion, he kept us in the game with a series of decent saves and combined with some wayward Palace finishing left us with the draw.
 
Since his return to the side, Wilson has looked much more like the assured defender we know from a few years ago. The burden of the captancy seemed to set him back but allowed to concentrate on defending, there's no doubting that he's easily good enough for this division.
 
McKenna showed a return to the impressive form at the start of the season with a commanding display in front of the defence. Time and again he was the one making that all-important last ditch challenge.
 
Following Anderson's withdrawal following a clumsy aerial challenge, McCleary had plenty of possession down the right hand side but didn't make the most of his opportunity. The story of the game for our wide players. With Adebola in the side, we have to make sure that we play to his strengths.
 
Chambers showed his versatility in the closing stages, replacing McGugan in midfield, and doing a decent job of protecting the hard-earned point. A series of challenging headers to compliment McKenna's tackles.

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Tags: Games Drawn, MOTM Lee Camp

We extended our winning run to five games with a battling performance against a resolute Barnsley side. We played some fantastic stuff in the first half without getting our reward but Barnsley caused a few scares after the break and will consider themselves very unlucky to come away with nothing.

Barnsley to their credit, came to give us a game and certainly played their part. For the first time in ages, Camp was required to make a number of impressive saves to keep us in the game, especially in the second half. Before we’d even got started, Morgan’s clumsy foul resulted in a free kick deceiving Camp but bouncing off the bar.

McGoldrick looked lively in the first half, one brilliant arched run got himself back on-side and then through on goal but the keeper saved. Just before half-time Tyson crossed from the left and he couldn’t get the ball from under his feet and the chance was lost. Both Tyson and Anderson were causing plenty of problems with their defence resulting to illegal measures but after a number of touch games it wasn’t too surprising that they tired.

Tyson in particular got no protection from the referee and it was only a matter of time before he had to withdraw. He did well to last into the second half after a succession of challenges where the ball was an irrelevance. Combined with Blackstock’s injury, Anderson’s fatigue and McGoldrick’s poor form after the break, we were looking short of attacking options in the closing stages.
 
As we entered injury time, it looked like we’d have to settle for a point, McKenna picked the ball in midfield and finally gave Adebola something to work with. He cushioned the ball into Moussi’s path to poke the ball past the keeper.
 
Moussi typified the side on the night. Impressive in the first half but lost his way in the second and struggled to make much of an impression. Without the injuries to Tyson and Blackstock he could easily have been replaced. However, he stuck to his job and got the reward in the end. The referee had the final say, with a second yellow card for over-celebrating his first goal for the club and a red card.

Plenty of players impressed in the first half but MOTM to Gunter for performing throughout the game with his usual determination and energy. With Anderson tiring and then Garner playing in-field, he continued to provide width down the right hand side. Camp also took the opportunity to impress having been untroubled for most recent games.
 

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Chris Gunter

It was a classic game of two halves; Forest easily the better side in the first half and we should have been ahead before Blackstock scored. After the break it was a different story. Our tactics changed at half time and we sat back confident that we were good enough to prevent them from scoring.

Over the past few weeks you can see just how difficult to beat we’ve become. Despite handing Newcastle the majority of possession, they very rarely threatened Camp. One disallowed goal and Blackstock’s miscued clearance off the line by Majewski was the closest they came. At the other end, we couldn’t reproduce the quality of the first half but had still done enough to deserve the three points.

After quietly climbing the league in the past few weeks, this impressive performance won’t go unnoticed by the rest of the league. The first half display was as good as anything we’ve seen in a long time.

Blackstock was unlucky not to score with one diving header well saved, later he saw another free header hit the post and away to safety. Tyson hit a volley on the turn narrowly wide. Anderson cut in from the left wing and his curling shot found their keeper again. Have played so well it looked as though we wouldn’t get any reward. However, Majewski had other ideas; he picked the perfect pass between their centre halves for Blackstock to score with ease.

Billy got his tactics spot-on with the selection of Moussi in midfield, allowing Majewski to roam free in and around Blackstock. Against Blackpool, this tactic backfired with Moussi and McKenna getting in each other’s way.

As usual this season, Camp was rarely involved in the game. We were outstanding at the back with Wilson and MOTM Morgan challenging, blocking and dominating their forwards. On the few occasions that they avoided our centre backs, you could rely upon full backs Gunter and Cohen to arrive from nowhere to clear up the danger.

Moussi was in inspired form, winning tackles and looking composed in possession. It was a very welcome return to the form of his early Forest career. McKenna complimented him perfectly in terms of work-rate and commitment but still plays too many blind rushed passes.

 Majewski was involved in everything good about us going forward, dropping into space between midfield and forwards where Newcastle couldn’t get close to him. His inclusion in this role brought out the best of Anderson in particular due to his direct running off the ball.

Blackstock is certainly making himself the number one striker at the club. It was another impressive display, causing them problems throughout.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Wes Morgan

Despite the windy conditions, we took advantage of a replacement keeper for the second time in a week to take nine points from six days. It wasn’t a great performance but still enough to justify the win. Their sub keeper struggled with every cross that came his way and it was only a matter of time before we took advantage. With a bit more luck, we’d have sealed the game earlier with three efforts hitting the woodwork before a couple of late scares.

Our performances over the past week show the benefit from seeing the return of Majewski in midfield and having two wingers providing balance on both sides. We’ve played okay but results come before style every time. Despite the in-different start, we’ve sneaked into the top ten and find ourselves only a point after the play-offs.

Camp continued his run of faultless performances. Not often threatened but showed steady handling whenever required to take pressure off the defence. A couple of smart saves in the closing stages ensured that we held onto the 3 points.

The defence looked pretty solid despite the conditions but still had to rely on their keeper at vital times. Morgan in particular stood out with numerous interventions and Cohen is now settling into left back. We got punished from one corner where we left their player unmarked and his header left Camp with no chance.

In midfield, Anderson didn’t have the most effective games but at least gives better shape to the side and means that we don’t always look for Tyson down the left. Another slightly fortunate scuffed finish was one of a number of decent chances and we should be expecting him to contribute more goals this season. Tyson, didn’t make the most of numerous opportunities down the left where a little more composure was required. He caused enough problems so that they had to resort to illegal measures to stop him.

As we’ve seen previously, MOTM Majewski’s return continues to bring out the best in McKenna. Whilst his goal was probably a fluke, aided by the wind and the sub keeper, it was thoroughly deserved based on his recent form. It was noticeable that sub Moussi looked much more composed and less gangly than his recent performance against Blackpool.

Blackstock has performed pretty well in recent games and deserves to be considered as the first choice up front. McGoldrick had a frustrating afternoon getting wrongly penalised time and again.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Radoslaw Majewski

There were so many positives from the evening. Firstly, the team looked balanced with Tyson and Anderson given the chance to provide width for Blackstock and Garner. We started the game very brightly and should have taken advantage of numerous chances from a series of early corners. Most importantly, we actually played well. A number of players took the opportunity to put in their best performances of the season. Chambers, Gunter, Cohen, Anderson, McGoldrick and Blackstock all had impressive evenings.

We had to remain patient and it did look for a while as though we wouldn’t score but we got there in the end. We should have scored from one of Majewski’s decent corners but Cohen pinged one quick one straight onto Chambers who powered a header into the roof of the net. Another five minutes later, Anderson’s surge followed by Tyson blocked shot, allowed Anderson to cross for Blackstock to score from close range.

Camp was barely threatened all evening but produced one finger tip save via the post to save us a nervy last ten minutes.

Full backs Cohen and Gunter didn’t have too much to do defensively but found the stamina to get forward and support their wingers whenever possible. Cohen in particular had his best game of the season and had much more of an impact despite playing in defence. Gunter was unlucky not to score with one close range effort tipped over and was always breaking into space.


Chambers, back in the side having been dropped at Plymouth, responded very well and put in a commanding performance. Time and again, he was the one arriving from nowhere to clear to provide that all-important defensive clearance. Thoroughly deserved his goal, and easily have scored earlier when an effort hit a team-mate. Like Gunter, he seems to be loving playing for Forest and on this form, he deserves to be.
Morgan had a real battle with their centre forward Forte and was generally dominant apart from one late run where Camp and the post came to the rescue.
McKenna did what was required in midfield, making important challenges and making life difficult for the opposition. This allowed Majewski to get forward and dictate our attacks. As a combination they bring the best out of each other.
MOTM Anderson fully justified his selection down the right hand side with direct running and decent service. Worked very well in tandem with Gunter and Scunthorpe struggled to deal with their running off the ball. With performances like this, there’s no justification for Davies to select Garner ahead of him.

Tyson had one of those evenings in front of goal where nothing seemed to go right for him. Hampered by injury in the first half but he battled through and couldn’t be faulted for his endeavour. He just lacked that composure, especially on his right hand side when opportunities came his way.
Garner got his chance playing off Blackstock but didn’t really perform. Davies had seen enough by half time and McGoldrick got his chance. Haven’t been very impressed by McGoldrick so far but he looked a different proposition last night. He looked very bright on the ball and intelligent running off the ball. Should have done better from a couple of situations in front of goal but his introduction got us playing.
Blackstock looked a threat all evening, won most things in the air and thoroughly deserved his goal when it arrived. Of all our forwards, he’s been the most consistent and he deserves to be considered as first choice.

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Tags: Games Won, MOTM Paul Anderson