Reds need a cutting edge
HERE are some of the main talking points from Nottingham Forest’s 1-0 home defeat against Swansea City.
HOW DO YOU SOLVE A PROBLEM LIKE SCORING?
There was a 0 next to Forest’s name for the third straight game, with questions being raised over the Reds’ creativity in the final third.
Forest did start the game on the front foot but the only real chance came from Lyle Taylor in the first few minutes, with his flick going just wide of the post.
Anthony Knockaert’s chance just before Swansea’s opener was the best of the game and it could have been a different story had that found the net. That turned out to be their only shot on target throughout the game.
When they went 1-0 down, Chris Hughton’s men never really looked like getting anything out of the match. Both Taylor and Anthony Knockaert had half-chances in the second half but failed to work keeper Freddie Woodman, who ultimately had a pretty quiet day.
Hughton bought on academy graduate Will Swan for the final 15 minutes of the game in search for something different.
The 20-year-old showed some good touches and runs but didn’t really have time to make an impression and change Forest’s fortune.
DEFENSIVE LAPSES
It is not only at the forward end of the pitch where Forest have struggled in recent games and although they looked relatively solid against Swansea, one lapse of concentration means that they come away from the game with nothing.
While it was a brilliant header by Connor Roberts to earn Swansea the three points, questions will have to be asked as to why, at 5 foot 9, he was able to outjump 6 foot 4 Sammy Ameobi at the back post.
Apart from the goal, Brice Samba didn’t have too many saves to make.
If Forest can cut out defensive errors it will mean that they stand a better chance of taking at least a point from the game.
TAYLOR SHOWS FRUSTRATION
While it is a frustrating time for Forest fans, Taylor showed in the closing few minutes that the players are feeling it too.
The striker was booked in added time for telling the referee what he thought in no uncertain terms, something that could be heard clearly from up in the press box at the City Ground.
Taylor was one of the better performers on the day causing problems for Swansea’s back line but was unable to make the most of any of his chances.
SEASON AIMS REASSESSED
“We are still very, very early in the season, there are so many games and periods to still play,” was
Hughton’s initial response to suggestions that some may think that Forest are now in a relegation battle this season.
After agonisingly missing out on the play-offs at the end of 2019-20, fans would have been hoping that the team bounced back straight away at the start of the campaign.
Fourteen new arrivals at the club brought excitement among fans but five losses in the first five games ultimately saw Sabri Lamouchi shown the door and Hughton brought in.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion and Newcastle United boss has a reputation for leading teams to the Premier League.
But Forest’s current position, 21st in the Championship table, means that a reassessment may have to be made.