Live @ https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/381296
One match ban enabled

It seems that the injuries are starting to mount up according to the NP. Mills is going to join Hobbs in the back injury club. Darikwa and Fox aren’t looking likely to be fit for PNE.

Interestingly, there is a line about Warburton only picking players with the right attitude, insinuating that Traore hasn’t been a team player. I am going to speculate that it is as a result of that goal at Ipswich where he appeared to be less than committed in his efforts to jump for that ball in the air at the back post. Disappointing to hear that. As good a defender as he has shown himself to be at times, he is far from indispensable. If it is true, he would do well to remember that Forest picked him off the scrap heap at Loftus Road and have him a very generous three year contract when he had just been through a load of injuries at QPR.

Also a rumour that Cummings threw his toys out after being dropped recently. It did seem to come out of the blue that Walker got into the team from seemingly nowhere and I suppose that might grate. Warburton has refuted the claims but there must be a mole amongst the squad for little tales like this to come out. Hopefully it is a storm in a tea cup and Cummings gets his act together as he has a bit of talent but is behind Walker and Brereton in the pecking order now and will need to work hard to get involved again.

Osborn looks likely to get that nod against PNE at left back. He has the work rate to be successful in that position but does it take away too much from th the midfield. Bridcutt and Bouchalakis were all at sea in that first half at Brizzle. Both goals were as a result of lack of awareness and positioning in the Forest midfield.

All I want for Christmas is a positive result at Deepdale. I would take a point.
2-2 with McKay and Walker scoring.

We need to show a lot more discipline in our away games. We need to keep our shape and defy teams to break us down.

Against Ipswich Mancienne lost the ball in the left back position and they scored their second goal. Against Brizzle Walker gave the ball away when he was in the right back spot for their first. This sort of thing has to be stopped. It's not shambolic, but it is heading that way.

The back line should remain intact; the defensive midfielders should stay goalside of the ball and central; wide midfielders should also protect their full backs.

If we can keep a game 0-0 until minute 70 instead of giving away two goals, we would have a much better chance of going on to win it or at least come away with a point

We're all criticising Matt Mills but I don't think they scored the first goal until he went off?

We certainly looked better with Osborn on the pitch.

Saturday is a game not to lose but can we do it? Warburton must have told em' not to play out from the back because we didn't do it once last week, not in the first half at least.

Fair point but it wasn’t through lack of trying. He was skinned by Patterson on the edge of the area when Smith made that great double save. He isn’t alone in being a bit lax in his defending at times by any means but he does tend to be the first to point the finger.

They didn’t look like they were looking to play out from the back and as a result, didn’t seem to be able to get hold of the ball as much. Walker’s clearance was a little aimless and it may have been better if he had stuck the ball into row z given what happened next! Hindsight is a wonderful thing, though.

I have a feeling Warburton may be tempted to start Brereton at Preston. Murphy hasn’t offered as much recently. Could be he is dropped to the bench and saved for the double headers against Wednesday and the Mackems.

Plus let's hope for a better referee, Linnington was a homer.

D'ya know what, Will. I've been thinking BB might start on Saturday. MW is going to have to make full use of the players he has available over the next couple of games. After PNE we have three days to get ready for the Wendies which will be a physical game, we don't want anybody carrying an injury into that one. We probably won't have a LB available for Saturday. I hope Osborn gets that shirt and we keep Lichaj at RB. That might leave the way open for Matty Cash in midfield. I'd be tempted to find a spot for Jamie Ward as well. Probably the only certain starters (for both games) are Smith, Lichaj, Worrall, Osborn, Bridcutt and Dowell.

I'd be happy with two draws from these two games followed by a big win against the mackems

My team

Lichaj Mancienne Worrall traore
McKay Bridcutt Vaughan Osborn
Clough
Brereton

I wouldn't pick Traore, he didn't even make the bench last week. Supposedly thrown a strop after [justifiably] being dropped.

Rather play Cash at R/B and keep Eric over on the left.

You guys have nothing to fear even Man Utd were beaten by Bristol. Look out Wolves The red dogs are coming for you

Yes a great win for the Robins. Goes to show what can be achieved by giving a manager time and not demanding instant success or instant change!

Managers very rarely get time these days, It's only a few months ago when some derby fans were saying rowett was out of his depth. Swanseas last 2 managers were given less than a season. It seems owners never learn.

Yes, the Bristol City board didn’t panic last year when they lost eight in a row and have been rewarded by Johnson really pulling out all the stops. That was a scintillating performance v Man U.

Especially pleased for Patterson as an ex-Red.

Swansea used to be held up as a shining example as the archetypal club with a plan as they moved up the divisions playing great football.

comment by Red Forest Bear ( Bear Knows) (U6288)
posted about 14 hours ago
I wouldn't pick Traore, he didn't even make the bench last week. Supposedly thrown a strop after [justifiably] being dropped.

Rather play Cash at R/B and keep Eric over on the left.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash could be a good shout to bring a bit more movement to the static midfield on display last week. Bouchalakis probably played himself back into the bench at least last week, if not out of the 18.

Traore is seemingly on the naughty step. Seems to be maddeningly inconsistent and if he has thrown his toys out, he might as will leave. Left back has been a problem for years. Can’t afford to waste time and effort on someone who hasn’t got a bit of gumption.

Bunk, I assume you were having a senior moment when you decided that we could do without our top scorer at Deepdale.

Will, I have to disagree with you. I want less movement from our midfield on Saturday. I want us to keep our shape on Saturday. Too often in our recent away games midfielders have gone missing when we lose possession. We have been ambitious beyond our ability, and it has cost us.

I take your point but the lack of understanding between Bridcutt and Bouchalakis was quite stark at Bristol City looking at the highlights. Both went after the same ball for the first goal in particular.

Cash for me would be far more energetic getting about and closing down than Bouchalakis as that was the main area Forest struggled with.