After playing much of the game in second gear, and even handing Barnsley the controls in the second half, we won with ease. A 3-0 victory to not only move up to 7th, but to also give us the 6th highest goal difference with 9.
By the time we play Cardiff on Sunday, we could realistically have our first opportunity to sit in a play-off spot. An amazing feat after CH was sacked with us in 24th.
Huddersfield play Stoke on Friday night, with a loss giving us the opportunity to move into 6th.
West Brom are away to Millwall on Saturday afternoon, with an additional loss giving us the opportunity to move into 5th.
We will be without the much maligned Lyle Taylor, who will be remembered more for his haircuts and winding up the opposition, than actual skill. Carvalho also looks set to move for a club record 50m.
Incomings seem to be Longelo as LWB cover, a winger (as per our derisory bids) and a striker (as per Taylor leaving).
Other than that the team news will likely be the same, with either Konate, or another youngster (D.Taylor) being given the opportunity to impress off the bench.
Over the last ten (not inc.Arsenal) we are:
*3rd in the form table (v 17th)
*4th joint most goals for: 14 v (v joint 6th: 13)
*2nd joint least goals against: 6 (v 19th: 17)
*Forest over the last ten are 2 PPG
*Cardiff are 1.1 PPG
Over the last six:
*Forest are W2 D3 L1 Away - GF 7 GA 5
*Cardiff are W1 D0 L5 @ Home - GF 4 GA 9
Additionally, Cardiff haven’t won in the league since 27/11/21!
Despite their recent form, this is always a tricky Away game for Forest, but after reading BBC Sport Wales, I am heartened by their manager stating:
"It was frustrating and it hurt. We got outfought and out-battled. It wasn't a good second 45 minutes."
As we are second-half specialists and with Cooper previously managing Swansea, I expect this to be another fiery encounter, that Cooperman will be desperate to win.
Prediction: 3-1 to Forest!
COYR!!!
Cardiff v Forest - Match Thread
posted on 30/1/22
I don’t want to sound too negative, but we are not actually that good. We are about where we should be really. Sniffing around playoffs. We don’t seem to have a strong enough mentality. We can also be really poor at the back too often.
Cooper has done a great job for sure. But I think we are over over achieving a little. We could do with 2-3 quality players in. The squad is pretty bare after the first 11 or so. Players like Silva and Cafu not good enough.
It’s the championship though and there are always these kind of results. we can still make playoffs I think but I think we will be inconsistent over the next few months.
posted on 30/1/22
Derby have more spirit and fight in the last 10, but the goal was similar.
Good luck in the FA Cup. Biggest worry would be Cardiff providing a blueprint for other clubs to nullify you. Especially if Johnson leaves too. Time for Cooper to earn his biscuits.
posted on 30/1/22
comment by 2 Wellies (U6713)
posted less than a minute ago
Derby have more spirit and fight in the last 10, but the goal was similar.
Good luck in the FA Cup. Biggest worry would be Cardiff providing a blueprint for other clubs to nullify you. Especially if Johnson leaves too. Time for Cooper to earn his biscuits.
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Johnson is staying.
posted on 30/1/22
I thought Brentford and Newcastle were in for him? It'll be good if you can keep him.
posted on 30/1/22
comment by 2 Wellies (U6713)
posted 1 minute ago
Derby have more spirit and fight in the last 10, but the goal was similar.
Good luck in the FA Cup. Biggest worry would be Cardiff providing a blueprint for other clubs to nullify you. Especially if Johnson leaves too. Time for Cooper to earn his biscuits.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There was nothing to nullify! We were useless!
posted on 30/1/22
Underlined how weak the squad is. With Grabban being assaulted and out for however long, essential Cooper is backed strongly in the last day of the window.
However, fearful it will be another smoke and mirrors day from the ‘transfer committee’
posted on 30/1/22
Silva is writing his name into Forest folklore along with Silenzi, Rosario etc.
posted on 30/1/22
This sums today up perfectly, Neil Warnock has just said he thought the referee David Webb had a good game today, and he wasn’t joking, you seriously couldn’t make it up. I thought the ref was shocking throughout.
posted on 30/1/22
Presume a striker was already lined up when Taylor was sent out on loan? Slightly concerning if not!
Always a worry when these things are left to the last day of the window.
Cooper has done amazingly. If after the first seven games of the season, it had been suggested we would have been hovering around the play-offs, I might have been somewhat dubious.
Time to back the manager forcefully tomorrow!!!!
posted on 30/1/22
Today feels like so many penultimate deadline days, great hopes, back the manager and this may happen, don’t and we’ll struggle, and that’s exactly how I see this one. Bring in a couple of decent players tomorrow and we can maybe push on, don’t and we’ll finish mid table. Today showed that the squad is actually pretty thin, very little change available from the bench, Grabban picked up an injury, Cook likewise, Zinck’s is struggling, Silva looks poor, Cooper basically needs a bit of help. Let’s hope he is backed tomorrow and we can carry on challenging, or failing that it’ll be remainder of the season treading water, and lurking, tantalising outside the play off’s, they really are achievable this season with ‘udders, QPR, Blackburn and WBA all catchable.