| | Whilst the results continue to impress, the same cannot be said of the
performances. Having scored two goals against the run of play, we
stuttered through the second half without ever troubling the Cheltenham
keeper. This was a missed opportunity for the players to relax and
express themselves.
Forest lined up with an unchanged starting XI with Pedersen, Hughes,
Holt, Lester and Bennett on the bench. The formation placed Agogo at the
focal point of attacks with Harris and Commons floating either side,
deeper of him. Southall and Curtis at wingback/wide midfield with Perch
and Clingan in midfield.
We were excellent at the back with all three centrebacks and goal keeper
having outstanding games. MOTM would narrowly go to Cullip but it was
very close between him, Morgan and Smith.
In midfield, we struggled. Clingan had another pretty decent game but
lacked support from those around him. Southall was very quiet apart from
the goals. Perch again struggled to impose himself on the game which
passed him by. Harris and Commons dropped increasingly deeper leaving us
with very few options to build attacks.
Agogo was okay up front but he has a tendancy to over play things and
not pass the ball early enough. Very frustrating when he's the only man
up front and relied upon to hold the ball up.
We could easily have gone behind in the early stages when a cross got
held up in the wind and fooled everyone. Instead of floating over the
bar, the ball hit the bar and bounced back into play. Fortunately,
Cheltenham couldn't take advantage with the rebound vollyed over the
bar.
Cheltenham continued to create half chances without getting behind the
defence.
Clingan and Perch had long range efforts but we had created nothing of
any note until we scored out of the blue. Agogo carried the ball forward
and releasing Southall on the right. A good first touch and shot across
the keeper opened the scoring.
Shortly after, the lead was doubled. Some good play down the left from
Harris resulted in a right footed cross across the six yard box.
Southall did what he does best and arrived perfectly timed at the back
post to bundle home. Unbelievably, we were 2 goals up without even
getting started.
The second half continued in the same vein. Nothing much of note from
Forest going forward and only the occasional half chance from the hosts.
The defence and keeper continued to remain solid but there wasn't much
to get excited about for us Forest fans.
It goes without saying that the overall aim of the season is to regain
our Championship status regardless of how this is achieved. However, the
quality within the squad is being shackled at the moment. Most of the
away performances are very remincisent of those under Megson in which we
offered very little going forward. The only difference being that we are
much more organised defensively and luck is more in our favour.
At the moment, we generally score the first goal and our defensive
talent is enough to secure the win. At some stage, we'll concede goals
and have to come out and attack teams. Whether we're capable of that,
remains to be seen.
I don't think that the formation is helping, there doesn't seem to be
any real structure to it. Whilst the 343 setup sounds attacking in
principle, when Curtis is one of the midfielders with Commons and Harris
dropping increasingly deeper, it becomes much more defensive.
We lack a driving force in the side and numbers going forward. The
continued selection of Harris instead of Holt continues to surprise and
disappoint. Harris plays so deep at times, he might as well replace
Perch in midfield. Whilst the side is winning, I'm not expecting any
radical changes to be made.
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