Home loss offers more proof that Reds need firepower
TERRIERS WERE UNDER SIEGE AT CITY GROUND BUT ESCAPED WITH THE WIN
THAT 2021 should end with backto-back defeats felt particularly out of step for a year in which a sense of optimism had returned to the City Ground.
Steve Cooper has overseen a remarkable transformation of Nottingham Forest since he took up the post in September. He has got fans believing again.
The Reds can still approach 2022 with great hope and excitement they are in a far better place than 12 months ago, after all.
It is a play-off push rather than a relegation battle which should be on the cards in the coming months.
But there will be a lingering sense of frustration at the way in which they rang out the old before ringing in the new.
Here are some of the key talking points after the 1-0 home defeat against Huddersfield Town in the Championship on Thursday night:
■ Firepower needed
Forest had 23 efforts at goal against Huddersfield Town. The visitors were under siege for much of the game but somehow the hosts couldn’t find the back of the net as they lost 1-0.
It wasn’t for the want of trying. Philip Zinckernagel, Xande Silva, Joe Worrall, James Garner, Brennan Johnson and Lewis Grabban all tried their luck and came close, to varying degrees.
Sometimes it was the Terriers’ goalkeeper or defenders which stood in their way.
On other occasions, better finishing or decisionmaking would have made the difference.
You got the sense the Reds could have played all night and still not found a breakthrough.
Goals have been a problem before. Cooper has improved Forest in that sense but they still need to strengthen their attacking arsenal in January.
Aston Villa forward Keinan Davis is expected to become the first addition of the window but the manager also wouldn’t rule out adding other forward options.
It is a key area to get right, to close the gap on the play-off spots.
■ Super Spence
Djed Spence was sorely missed when he was ineligible to feature against Middlesbrough – a match Cooper’s men lost for a very different reason, having been well below par.
It made a big difference having him back against Huddersfield, highlighting just how crucial the wing-back positions are to Cooper’s style of play.
The Boro loanee was clearly very much up for this one. He made plenty of rampaging runs down the right and constantly looked to get involved.
One particular moment in the first half brought a great cheer from the stands when he made a lung-busting sprint to chase a seemingly lost cause in the Terriers’ half, allowing his team to keep up the pressure.
It’s the kind of desire Spence has become well known for during his time at the club.
A nervy few weeks await as Middlesbrough decide whether or not to recall him midway through his loan spell. Replacing him would be tough. Equally, whenever Max Lowe makes his comeback from injury, it will be a most welcome return.
The Reds looked a much more balanced side when they had the Sheffield United man and Spence on either flank. That would allow Jack Colback to switch back into midfield, too.
Braian Ojeda, and particularly James Garner, did a good job in the centre of the pitch on Thursday night but the hosts could have done with Colback’s enforcer type in there.
■ Silva shines
There is still uncertainty over what will happen to Silva next month.
The word from Greece is that previous suggestions a permanent deal had been struck with Aris Thessaloniki, where he spent last term on loan, were wide of the mark.
It remains unclear whether the attacker will still be at the City Ground come the end of January. But if he had been considering his options, amid any frustration at not playing, perhaps the last couple of games may have changed his thinking.
Silva has been handed an oppor
tunity, and he has taken it.
Both as a substitute at the Riverside Stadium and in the starting XI against Town, he looked bright and posed a threat. He was a constant menace.
But for a couple of blocks and a strong save, he could have got on the scoresheet on what was his full debut.
He has certainly offered the manager food for thought as he sets about tweaking his squad over the next month.
■ Playing on
Cooper’s options were limited when it came to naming his matchday squad.
Twice he had to scrap his planned selection as the club – like plenty of others – grapple with injuries and Covid-19 cases.
“I believe that if you are capable of playing games, you have to play.
“It’s a sporting environment – okay, it’s a competitive one. We’ve had no reason to even think about a game not being on,” the Welshman had said in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“We know there are guidelines (about cancellations) and things like that but they have not been up for discussion with us because we’ve been fine to go to games and play.
“We’ve had some disruption with covid but not enough to not play games.
“We’ve not really thought too much about anything else apart from getting ready for games.”
Post-match, though, he was rather coy about whether the situation had changed to an extent a postponement may have been a possibility.
“It’s not a question I can answer,” he said. And the same response came when he was asked if Monday’s Championship clash with Barnsley at the City Ground could be in doubt.
Forest still fielded a strong XI and still should have been able to get something out of the game, although they had to call on youngsters Fin Back and Tyrese Fornah to make up the bench.
There’s no perfect solution when it comes to managing the pandemic situation in football.
Up until the last two fixtures, the Reds had been on a roll.
Even now, after successive losses, they will surely want to get back out there to put things right, if they can albeit while acknowledging health and safety comes first.
Nevertheless, amid the ongoing difficulties, a cracking atmosphere on the banks of the Trent, and an entertaining match (even with a frustrating result), was a reminder of the importance of fans.
After going without crowds for so long, all involved will hope the current climate doesn’t lead to a return to those particularly grim days.