I have to admit, when I first saw the lineup, I had to question Forest’s game plan for the Fulham match. The result put an end to my question from last week – ‘Can Forest maintain their unbeaten run? – but I have to question Forest’s game plan.
What were Nuno’s intentions for this clash?
For the sake of momentum and confidence, Forest not only needed to continue an unbeaten run but they really needed a first home win of the season.
Forest hadn’t won at home since beating Fulham 3-1 last season. A team bereft of Morgan Gibbs-White, who was the star of the show on that day, now consisted of Taiwo Awoniyi and Chris Wood as a front two and all four wingers were benched. What was Nuno thinking?
It didn’t seem quite right. I knew something was wrong. It was like seeing Prince Andrew and Rolf Harris on the backseat of a school bus and I immediately consulted with other Forest fans to determine if they had any idea of what Forest’s game plan would consist of.
Surely Nuno wasn’t going to play 4-4-2……was he?
Forest’s Game Plan was a definite 4-4-2
It was like going back to the 90s. Nobody plays a 4-4-2 anymore and Forest had set up as if they were playing for a mediocre draw, away at Oldham Athletic.
My 3-3 prediction of thrilling end-to-end football was way off. The game was so bad that if Forest versus Fulham was being marketed to audiences as a classic Premier League game, viewers would have switched off at half-time to watch the speed, thrill and suspense of international chess.
If an alien race had visited at that moment to see why thousands of human beings were so enthusiastic about such an event, they would have moved back into space and destroyed the planet.
With less than three shots on target, the game had all the excitement of a funeral. Many fans have recently denounced the performances of Morgan Gibbs-White and were quite pleased with the anticipation of his absence.
However, they are probably regretting their opinions now, along with their positive social media posts about Kier Starmer.
Forest didn’t produce a shot on goal.
To me, it was obvious. Where was the creativity coming from? Forest’s game plan could’ve consisted of adventure and several creative players but that strategy was clearly reserved until the second half. It felt as if Forest had set up for the draw.
Throwing Elanga, Hudson-Odoi, the ever-energetic Jota, and Sosa into the mix is pivotal to a dynamic turn of pace for Forest, especially when MGW is on the pitch, but the midfield just didn’t work progressively; just losing the ball prior to any potential breaks.
Some fans have spoken about the need for a MGW back-up but Forest’s game plan didn’t involve a need for an alternative Morgan.
Nuno left the creative introduction late and Forest’s game plan just didn’t produce anything. I think Forest needed to revert to a more familiar formula from the get-go, albeit without Morgan. Ultimately, the lack of chances is something of concern for me and highlights the need for another striker.
Forest’s game plan wasn’t the only disappointment.
Referees have promised to improve their performances and we still hear about the ‘clear and obvious’ error as being the sole reason for VAR to intervene but that isn’t the case.
Forest has been at the wrong end of referee and VAR decisions since their return to the Premier League and the trend looks set to continue. We can even go back to the fourth official last week and blame him for the Fulham defeat.
If Murillo’s challenge was considered to be worthy of a penalty, then what was the Shinobi-esk leg sweep on Elanga?
For me, both were soft and equally comparable to the eye but, clearly, not to the VAR panel. I don’t get it. I know Murillo looked more forceful in his challenge but it wasn’t malicious.
Forest need to score more goals.
I think if Fulham had scored from open play, I could’ve accepted the defeat but another dodgy VAR decision is hard to swallow. I’m surprised Forest didn’t vote with Wolves because VAR is ruining the game. You can’t even celebrate a goal anymore until the VAR screen permits it.
I think the only positive spin was the fact that Forest remained defensively solid. The game was flat, the atmosphere was tense, VAR let us down again, and we still haven’t won at home this season.
It’s just a minor result in a long season and, looking back, I think the team will lament the Bournemouth and Wolves games more than losing to VAR.
Forest have only lost once so far this season and I’m sure Nuno will already be looking to redeem the result at Chelsea this weekend. I’m happy with how things are going but too many draws and losing regularly at home will become a problem if it continues.
No need to panic yet, we are still 10th in the league, Morgan is back for Chelsea, Danilo is recovering nicely, and the January transfer window is only 92 days away. Keep the faith and COYR!
