NFFC vs Southampton

Another Monday morning. Another defeat to reflect on.

Despite the table not looking particulary pleasant at this moment in time, I still believe it doesn't reflect the bigger picture.

When was the last time Forest had a good start to the season? It's going back a few years.

I wasn't at the game so I'm only able to go on highlights and close people's views but unfortunately it sounds like the same old story, brilliant going forward but awful at the back. How many times have we said that this season and we're only in September?

First and foremost, let's not forget that we have gone to a club, who are in fine form and backed by a tremendous fan base and very nearly, and probably should have, taken points off them.

But, our back five were caught out again. Two of them being crosses swung into the box. I'm dumbfounded over where Chambers and Morgan's aerial dominance has gone. I have suggested the captaincy is adding extra pressure for Chambers, but as a mate of mine rightly pointed out, it shouldn't make a difference. If you're a born leader, you'll do the job of a captain whether you're wearing the armband or not. Maybe Chambers wasn't the right decision after all.

Camp is a tough one. His head clearly isn't in the right place. He dropped a clanger in midweek for his country and just isn't dominating his box like he used to.

Suprise suprise, I think it comes down to the same old problem; lack of squad depth. Both with Chambers and Camp, there is no-one challenging or pressurising them. Realistically, we know Camp is a much better all round keeper than Smith and only Lynch could fill in at centre back but isn't as good as Morgan or the skipper. The decision to drop either of the current players would be a massive risk and at this particular moment, I can't see McClaren doing it. He'll just hope that it comes good in the end.

Which, to be fair, I don't think will be very long. I've said in past entries, that the midfield and strikers are beginning to really gel and we showed it again on Saturday as we scored two excellent goals. Nice to see Derbyshire open his account. He showed a real striker's instinct to gamble on Miller's low cross and a nice sign of intelligence as he layed on Majewski instead of shooting himself, which would have been tempting.

The injury to Miller is a real shame, especially as his Forest career was gathering pace. Already a fan favourite, it's a big blow with Derby in town soon.

I know I'm repeating myself, but as soon as the defence has a solid display and the team are able to achieve a solid win, which they deserve, we will start rapidly climbing up the table and come christmas, I'm quite sure we'll be hovering around the top 8.

We need players without a doubt, and I was annoyed to see we'd missed out on Collins. I can only think it's a money issue and with the sale of Connor Wickham, we were unable to match what Ipswich were offering.

But we just need one result. One game where the City Ground is lifted once more.

What better occassion that this Saturday when our rivals roll into town?

Fingers crossed I'm this optimistic come 3pm Saturday.

NFFC vs West Ham United 28.08.11

Following some embarrassing defeats in the past few years, I never expect much from Forest when Sky are in town. The thought of a few hundred thousand watching seems to bring out the worst in the lads.
This horrible tradition, combined with the fact that we were up against a Premier League squad in the wrong division resulted in me being extremely wary of the match ahead.
McClaren said this would be out 'greatest test yet' and we would be able to judge ourselves following the game. He wasn't wrong.
For those who look at the result and see a 4-1 defeat will see a complete dominance from the Hammers and we simply grabbed a consolation.
For those who were at the game and/or saw highlights will know it was a completely different story.
I struggle to remember a game where I was so pleased with the performance, yet sat there 3-0 down.
If West Ham are the level in which everyone has to reach, then I fully expect us to be in a promotion push this season.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not brushing over the appalling defensive dipslay I witnessed. But the front six were superb.
Moved the ball with pace, one touch and a real air of confidence. Miller and Findley looked like they are really beginning to understand each other's game and Mcgugan and Majewski looked extremely threatening going forward. 
The conceded goals were a disgrace. Lack of discipline, lack of concentration, a lack of urgency. It was so infuriating to see the front six working so hard to win the game for us when the back five looked disinterested.
As I've said before, work needs to be done. Obvious defensive work as well as finishing should all be on the agenda. But when was the last time we started a season well? It is extremely early days and if we attack teams like we did against West Ham, there will be plenty of goals to celebrate. 
It seems we cannot have the best of both worlds. Under Davies, we always looked comfortable at 1-0, able to see the game out. Under McClaren, we look extremely dangerous going forward but incredibly shaky at the back. Where has the dominance and confidence gone from last season?
Chambers and Camp appear to be rocked by interest from other clubs which is a complete lack of professionalism, which is a huge shame from two vital members of the squad. We still miss a left back. I won't slate Gunts, because he consistently works hard and not sure if he can be at fault for any of the four goals. 
It's just a huge craving for us to be able to combine a strong defensive unit with the direct attacking that we saw on Sunday. If we are able to do that, I have no doubts that we will get promoted this season.
Camp-Lacked dominance and doesn't look himself. Kicking wayward and doesn't seem to be controlling his box. 4/10
Gunter-Worked hard up and down the wing and defended well. Always an option and never lets his head drop. 8/10
Morgan-Was taught a lesson by Carlton Cole who ran riot all afternoon. Was marginally better than Chambers but it wasn't a good performance. 5/10 
Chambers-Embarrassed by Cole and Faubert. Absolute rock last season but real signs of unconfidence at the moment. Unlucky for the first goal. Captaincy weighing on his mind? Very possible. 4/10
Cohen-Same old story. Has a brilliant engine on him and worked hard defensively but isn't a left back. Unfortunately, not sure how he can slot into midfield either. Selection headache for McClaren. 7/10
Majewski-Man of the Match. Always on the ball and terrorised the West Ham defence. A series of lovely through balls and was unlucky not to reap any rewards. 9/10
Greening-It was better from the midfielder but not good enough. Needs to start stamping authority in the midfield. Went missing at times on Sunday. 6/10
Boateng-Get the impression that many of the fans don't appreciate this player but I believe he is more influential than Greening. Strong on the ball and works box to box. Only negative is he gives the ball away a tad too much. 7/10
McGugan-Best game of the season so far. Isn't a left winger, but was able to cut inside and link up with the front two nicely. Head seemed to drop but still a vital player for us this season. 8/10
Miller-Again appeared to frighten defences and looked comfortable going forward and attempting to create. A shame he is so predominately left footed, but still rate him as a superb signing. 8/10
Findley-Nice partnership developing with Miller and fully deserved his goal. Is beginning to become a regular on the team sheet. Fast and direct, he scares defences. 8/10
Lynch-The only recognised left back at the club and following the half hour performance, could be odds on for a run in the team. Went missing for the 4th goal though. Lapses in concentration a worry. But good vision for Findley's goal. 7/10
Reid-Don't think it was Reidy's type of game. Fast paced meant Reid had to be up and down the wing and he isn't that type of player. Struggled to make an impact. 5/10
Derbyshire-Can maybe feel hard done by that he's on the bench but impossible to leave the front two out at the moment. Works hard, but isn't showing that striker's instinct at the moment. 6/10

Following the result, McClaren said transfers are vital now. I agree, we need faces. We need competition for places. But let's not go overboard. A centre back, a left back and a winger, job done. Also, the gaffer is too much of a disciplinarian to let that happen again.
Sunday was a big point in the season because McClaren will simply not let it happen again.
The international break gives us a chance to regroup and work hard and I look forward to restarting in a couple of weeks, albeit with a very tough game against Southampton. But no game is easy in the division, a few people seem to have forgotten that.