Forest v H.field - PO Final - Match Thread

Whilst our Play-Off Final place has surprised most of our fans and the press, I knew that we couldn’t be as bad as we were under CH.

The players were good enough to at least reach mid-table and if we could get Cooper (two play-offs under his belt), that we would have a chance of sneaking the play-offs. I backed this with a $100 at 25-1.

What we have witnessed (Huddersfield…feel free to write your own match thread about your amazing season), has been nothing short of a miracle. QF’s of the FA Cup and finishing 4th, after CH had us rooted to the bottom of the table. A whopping 79 points in 39 games, a PPG average that would have seen us win automatic.


Where did this fairy tale start? Huddersfield (A)

This is how we lined up:

Samba
Worrall Figs McKenna
Lowe Garner Yates Spence
Johnson Grabban Lolley

This is how they lined up:

Nicholls
Pearson Lees Colwill
Thomas Hogg O’Brien Toffolo
Sinani Ward Koroma

It ended 2-0 to Forest, and despite only 29% possession we had 4 shots on target to their two. This was pre-Cooper, but post CH...the revolution was not televised.

Highlights for that match are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd-cLWGfOZ4


Where did this fairy tale hit a bump? Huddersfield (H)

This is how we lined up:

Samba
Spence Worrall McKenna Colback
Garner Ojeda
Johnson Z.Nagel Silva
Grabban

This is how they lined up:

Nicholls
Turton Pearson Colwill
Thomas High O’Brien Toffolo
Sinani Ward Holmes

Despite our 58% possession, and 23 (6) to 9 (2) shots, we lost 1-0. Cafu, Carvalho and Taylor being unable to make the difference from the bench. The post / bar didn’t help us either.

Highlights for that match are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hu0_A1xIUe8


Where did this fairy tale have a day off? Huddersfield (H) – FA Cup

This is how we lined up:

Horvath
Worrall Cook McKenna
Spence Yates Garner Lowe
Johnson Surridge Z.Nagel

This is how they lined up:

Blackman
Pearson Lees Sarr
Pipa Eiting Hogg Ruffels
Holmes Sinani Thomas

Highlights for that match are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3eDOB5MC1A

We prevailed 2-1, but it is important to note that they rested several players. Only six players from their combined league games started, with only two more starters coming off the bench, plus Rhodes of course (their play-off semi-final match winner).

This was clearly a game they didn’t want to win, and intent wasn’t demonstrated by their substitutions. They rightly saved themselves for the league, taking one point from their next three games.

What did Forest do you ask? We won our next three games, scoring eleven goals in the process.


Statistics mean nothing they say…but let’s say that they did…over our three games: (Forest v Huddersfield)

Possession: 47 v 53 possession % (HT)
Shots: 12 v 10 (NF)
Shots on Target: 13 v 9 (NF)
Goals For: 4 v 2 (NF) or 1.33 v 0.66 (per 90 minutes)
Goals Against: 2 v 4 (NF) or 0.66 v 1.33 (per 90 minutes)

So….what does this all mean?!?!?!

* Huddersfield will have slightly more possession.
* Forest will have more shots, both on and off target.
* We will likely score more than them, they will likely score less than us.
* They usually score at least one goal (twice) and we usually score at least two goals (twice).


Prediction:

Statistically, we are more likely to win. On form, we are more likely to win. If it goes, to penalties, we are most likely to win. On results this season, we are most likely to win. On goals scored we will win, on goals conceded we will most likely win (concede less)

Saying all that, I think it will be a 1-1 draw at FT and a Forest win in ET (2-1).

Davis in place of Surridge. The rest of the team remaining the same.

The 2022/23 season:

Regardless of who wins, I hope it is a fair game, without controversy and major incident. That VAR creates parity in the decision making. That the best team wins, and whoever loses joins Forest next season in the Premier League.

COYRs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not the best mix...but inspiring none the less and showcases most of our goals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkABxkHGGAs

What I hope will be annoying the neighbours in nine days time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6FBfAQ-NDE

Samba's heroics in French (trust me...it's amazing!!): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ZuIKkJFILk

Note the French highlights also showcase Jean Paul Gaultier was in attendance at the 1 minute mark.

I hope you enjoyed this one as much as I did writing it...I'm off to make a bacon and egg sarnie!

Note* I am not under-estimating Huddersfield!