That is the best way to describe yesterday.
I was disappointed with the team selected. Four changes when "it ain't broke"; why? OK Ward has gone back to Norwich, so Ayala was the obvious replacement. Cohen looked leggy when he came off on Saturday and maybe hadn't recovered. But to drop Dexter when he has two assists and a goal in his last two matches was very debatable. But worst of all was to replace Raddy with Moose - this was downright wrong - a no-brainer. If AM thought Raddy, like Cohen needed a rest, McGugan was the obvious replacement. Bringing in another defensive midfielder at the expanse of a very attacking one flattened our midfield and handed the initiative to Blackburn.
Right from the start our body language was wrong (with one or two exceptions) and our play was tentative. I wasn't too concerned to begin with; we have been slow starters for some time and I expected our game to pick up as we got into it. The only time Blackburn got the ball was when we gave it to them, which was happening quite regularly. An advanced midfielder just behind the strikers was being missed. Even after their first goal I wasn't too worried now we will step it up surely I thought. But it never happened. Going to 4-3-3 just seemed to open up gaps in midfield which a Blackburn team rapidly gaining in confidence, were only to happy to exploit.
Even though we were poor last night I thought Blackburn were much worse except for the last twenty minutes. We shouldnt judge AM on last night's performance and result although this was a match we should have won comfortably against a very poor team. Our next two games are also ones we should win comfortably. If we do so we go to the sheep dip with confidence renewed. If we get six points from our next two league games we will be back in the play-off pack. If not, if we are entrenched in mid-table then the new manager will have made things very difficult for himself
Disappointing
posted on 2/1/13
Also the SoD doesn't make any sense, now. At the time, like yourself Sutton, I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about it, but based on the reasoning that was coming out of the City Ground I could understand that the new owners wanted to instil a footballing philosophy, and take a sensible approach towards achieving their goals. All of which was obviously nonsense, rendering the SoD appointment absurd.
posted on 2/1/13
I agree webbo, I don't think we've got a cats chance this year, but does that mean that AM will be gone in the summer?
posted on 2/1/13
Don't ask me but I would think it is promotion or bust now as far as McCleish goes
posted on 2/1/13
I think we had similar views on SODs appointment Dave and yes it looks daft now.
But it fits with what I'm saying about being popular. They wanted to be liked so they did acted accordingly. Fans and the media love to hear about building slowly, stability and all that rubbish. Forest fans like to play "the forest way" so they appoint the man with probably the best reputation for playing that way at our sort of level.
If they'd come in and told the truth. which is we want to chuck money at it, get up and take it from there. They'd have got hammered. So they lied.
I'm less bothered about this than some, I'm a bit of a cynic and expect to be lied too so when people in authority tell porkies i just see it as the way things are. And i certainly don't buy in to the idea of 3/5 year plans. No evidence what so ever that they've ever achieved anything. Of course I'm not saying you should sack your manager every 5 months.
But frankly, when you look at the players we signed and the sort of figures the owners will have to put in every season. Anyone who thought they'd really be happy to hang around 3/5 years is a bit slow.
posted on 2/1/13
I believe AM only has a 12 month rolling deal. So yes i think its promotion or bust. One think to be thankful for and a sensible move from the owners. On that at least
posted on 2/1/13
Promotion or bust? If this is the owners thinking then surely that has to be a massive concern? You didn't have a squad in pre-season and you were on the verge of the play-offs when McLaugh was brought in, how the owners thought his appointment would give you a better chance of promotion this season is baffling!
By all accounts you've been inconsistent this season which of course is frustrating but consistency takes time build and if you'll be looking for another manager at the end of the season when you don't go up then you've basically lost another season. Very odd decision from your owners!
posted on 2/1/13
I'm not on the wind up by the way, just sharing an opinion 👍
posted on 2/1/13
Foxy... good comments mixed in there.
I agree with the inconsistency. That could be said of the majority of clubs in this league. Sacking SOD could turn out to be a good thing but at the moment I cannot see us going up unless we are about to purchase some world class defenders and unstoppable wingers
posted on 2/1/13
Might as well wade in ...I'm actually watching this with interest, because it may turn out to be a masterstroke, but to be fair, SOD seemed to be steering you a fair course to the play-offs, and we all know the delicate equilibrium it takes to maintain that possibility...shaking it up may prove very costly, but then again, it might just push you that extra mile.......do you think the majority of Forest supporters consider the gamble (that of swapping Sod for AM) worth taking?
posted on 2/1/13
We'll let you know in May