It was no surprise that Forest’s encouraging away record was blown away as several lacklustre performances saw the Reds gunned down by the Arsenal last weekend.
With Ipswich at home on Saturday, we can only hope that the squad can pick itself up, dust off the defeat and make good use of the ball against an Ipswich side that has only won once so far this season.
We concernedly look at Ipswich’s recent results – a draw against VARchester United and a good win at Spurs – and Forest’s recent setback, but, let’s face it, Forest should win this one, shouldn’t they?
Gunned down by the Arsenal before the tractors move in
Last week, impressive displays by Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka ensured that Forest were gunned down by the Arsenal, keeping all three points in the north London armoury and leaving Forest’s away record in the gutter.
It was no real surprise to see Forest gunned down by the Arsenal. Arsenal are a far more established Premier League side, regularly experiencing Champions League football, a huge London club, and they have a far more valuable squad than Forest.
There is a reason why Arsenal were once known as the Bank of England club, and it’s not because they were always in debt.
Arsenal are full of talented players with skill and experience at the highest level. It was Blitzkrieg right from the off. Even the best teams will struggle against an Arsenal side if they fail to thwart the midfield and play as if they have childcare issues and home economics weighing heavily on their minds.
Having said that, Forest will have the same issues against a significantly less valuable Ipswich Town side if they play like a team void of structure and determination.
Tractor Boys could give us a lift after being gunned down by the Arsenal
If we are being honest, 3-0 flattered Forest’s dire performance against Arsenal. It could easily have been a 4-0 obliteration before half-time. Fortunately, VAR was able to step in and cancel out an early finish. I think we were lucky not to see a 5 or a 6 in the final score.
The game was over by the time Thomas Partey was given time and space to smash in the second goal from outside the box. Again, the move started with Saka who caused Moreno more problems than a Russian drone. The England winger ran him ragged, making the Forest full-back look like an average Championship player.
Avoiding agricultural disasters
I don’t envisage Delap causing Forest’s defence similar problems this week but the Tractors Boys have a few spikes in their harvester.
Purchased from Manchester City for £20 million in July, Delap can cause an agricultural disaster at the City Ground if Forest allows Ipswich to gain momentum and dominate through the midfield.
Delap remains the biggest threat for Ipswich and Forest will need the Murillo/Milenković partnership to be on high alert if we are to keep a clean sheet on Saturday.
Tree Seasons prediction
Tree Season predicts a 2-1 win this weekend but things could quickly turn if Forest allows Ipswich to get in front.
It’s great to see clubs like Ipswich back in the Premier League. They have a great history and it’s a shame that clubs like Forest and Ipswich have been outside of the top flight for so long.
I fondly remember the glory years when Bobby Robson was taking Ipswich into Europe and winning the F.A. Cup, the same year that Forest won the league.
What I particularly liked about that year (1978) was the fact that Forest created a new Wembley record by winning the Charity Shield, 5-0.
Martin O’Neill scored a brace in a one-sided affair. Forest humiliated Ipswich Town who were, admittedly, without four key players.
Whilst I don’t anticipate a scoreline with such a gulf, I do envisage Forest taking all three points this weekend before our stay in Manchester.
