Forest Boffin

I'm sometimes lucky enough to be allowed to write on other sites; as promised to one reader, here is a link to my latest such away day , a look at our recent game against Derby, on my favourite Forest related site, Seat Pitch. http://seatpitch.co.uk/2014/09/16/fans-eye-view-forest-1-1-derby/

When Forest welcome Derby on Sunday, they are perhaps fighting to restore pride rather than for bragging rights. Stuart Pearce is the ideal man to accomplish this, but it is difficult to predict exactly how he’ll go about it. Steve McClaren likes The Rams to play a patient 4-3-3 system which will be similar to the one that destroyed Forest so efficiently in March. Most of their expected starting 11 were involved in that game, although we are fortunate that Jeff Hendrick and George Thorne are both out injured. Even if a little weaker, we know they will be motivated and nearly always put on a good performance in this fixture. Derby are a possession hording team. They like to probe for space from their own half, patiently holding onto the ball until they spot an opportunity rather than taking risks going forward – this is in contrast to Forest, who have been more direct under Pearce.   Their defenders see a lot of possession. Derby’s centre-backs have touched the ball, on a...

I write this report fully aware that only the self-flagellistic will wish to read; this is more of a historical document - a grisly account of disaster, so that future Forest fans - those with a morbid curiosity - can look back with distaste. The Reds fielded virtually a second string side - but the players who filled in have all proven that they can perform at this level. And the system - considering how the goals went in, should have helped them too; Billy deployed his 4-2-3-1 formation, which became a 4-5-1 when under pressure. There should have been very little space in the Forest half. The Rams played what looked to me like a 4-3-3, the key to which was the hard work of their three central midfielders, Bryson, Thorne and Hendricks, and the two wide forwards, Bamford, but especially Ward, who were instructed to press the Forest defenders when on the ball. The warning signs were there early on. Forest sat too deep, saturating their third of the pitch with r...

It has been a week of anticipation, hope, excitement, glee, worry, trepidation - even dread... yes it's the Derby game! Forest welcome their rivals in what is probably the most important home game of the season. After a great start The Reds have faded somewhat since losing Guedioura - this is the ideal chance to reverse that - but Derby never make things easy, in fact this is sure to be another difficult challenge since The Rams system could prove ideal against Forest's positive ethos. Nigel Clough has been experimenting with his formation, but appears to have settled on a 4-3-3 system for away matches, which has been proving very successful. Their game-plan is based around winning the ball before their opponents can develop an attack, and exploiting the space left by positive opponents. Bryson, Hughes and the front three hunt down the ball with great energy and determination, forcing opposition players to hoof it long or risk losing the ball. At home, Derby have struggled ...