Set-piece struggles leave Reds in trouble
GOAL 22 OF SEASON CONCEDED WHEN TRYING TO DEFEND BOX
FIFTY Premier League points dropped from winning positions since the start of last season. Twentytwo goals conceded from set-pieces this term alone.
The stats do not make for pleasant reading for Nottingham Forest – aside from the one which has them out of the relegation zone. They are above the bottom three by the narrowest of margins – just a single point – but the positive to take is that survival remains in their own hands.
If they are not careful, though, there is a real danger it will not remain that way. It was Groundhog Day at the City Ground as once again the Reds shot themselves in the foot.
They could and should have more of a buffer over their nearest rivals. The fact they do not is the biggest indicator of Forest’s struggles.
There is no doubt Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers was two points dropped.
The point gained may well still prove to be a hugely valuable one, but it was a big opportunity squandered regardless.
DEFENSIVE WOES
Wolves had one corner on Saturday. It turned out that was all they needed to punish Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.
Set-pieces are threatening to send the Reds down. They have been an issue all season and they remain a glaring Achilles’ heel.
The defending wasn’t great for the visitors’ opener, either. It was an excellent strike by Matheus Cunha to finish off a strong run from inside his own half, but Andrew Omobamidele and Ryan Yates ought to have done more to thwart him.
The second came just five minutes after Forest had taken the lead.
Pablo Sarabia sent the corner in, Matz Sels didn’t deal with the initial header and Cunha was on hand to prod the ball home.
“We must improve quickly, as fast as possible, on the defensive aspect because it is still punishing us,” Nuno told BBC Radio Nottingham at the full-time whistle.
It is a big ask to expect the Reds to suddenly improve their dead-ball defending in the final five games of the campaign, given they have been unable to find a solution in the previous 33 matches.
Somehow, though, Forest need to cut out the costly errors. Sels had a relatively quiet afternoon otherwise, but there has still been only one clean-sheet in the league since Nuno took charge.
GAME MANAGEMENT
The Reds had done all the hard work to turn the game around after falling behind.
At 2-1 and having shown plenty of attacking intent, they should have pressed on to claim the three points.
That sole Wolves corner was a killer. Even more so it came such a short time after Danilo had put the hosts ahead.
Game management is another area in need of significant work.
Forest need to find a way to see results out.
It didn’t help that Nuno’s substitutions didn’t all have the desired impact on this occasion. Where Rodrigo Ribeiro looked bright during his few minutes on the pitch and Nicolas Dominguez did well, Nuno Tavares and Divock Origi rather fluffed their lines. The latter spurned a golden opportunity for a late winner when he opted not to shoot and instead got his pass all wrong as he tried to find Chris Wood.
As games run out, even more importance is placed on Nuno getting his line-up, tactics and changes right. The margin for error is paper thin.
ATTACKING THREAT
Forest had the better of the play at the City Ground. They had 18 efforts at goal, nine of which were on target, but couldn’t get what would have been a vital winner.
And that doesn’t take into account the many times they got themselves into promising positions.
If the Reds are going to get over the line, you can bet Morgan Gibbswhite is going to have a lot to do with it. He is crucial and has really stepped up in the last few games. He is now in double figures for both goals (10) and assists (15) in the Premier League for the club.
He was always going to be fired up against his old team, and it was little surprise when he got on the scoresheet. Taking him off set-pieces was a good move – that particular switch worked well, with Gio Reyna and Danilo putting some inviting balls in. It meant Gibbs-white was in the box to head home a Reyna corner just before the break. He made a move as if going to celebrate in front of the home fans, then turned to the away end and stuck his fingers in his ears.
The ex-wolves man was then at the heart of the Reds’ second. It was from his burst forward that Danilo capitalised.
Of particular frustration for Nuno will be that there is some real attacking threat in his side. There is the makings of a decent team in there.
In the last two home games, Danilo has shown the kind of form to suggest he can have a big finish to the campaign - just as he did last term. Reyna, too, may well have a role to play.
It is hoped Anthony Elanga will recover from a knock to face Everton next weekend, but the American grasped his opportunity in his teammate’s absence on his first start in the Garibaldi.
“He played good, gave us good possession. He had good situations, good passing and finishing. He is a good option for us and different to what we have normally,” Nuno said of Reyna.
FIVE TO GO
Nuno was clear about Saturday being a missed opportunity. “We needed this game,” he said afterwards.
The Reds have had a few chances to be able to put a little bit of daylight between themselves and the bottom three. The table looks better than it did before kick-off on Saturday as Luton Town’s defeat to Manchester City means Forest are now one point above them. It is still too tight to call, though.
The club are still waiting for a date for their hearing after lodging an appeal against their four-point deduction for breaking financial rules. But whatever happens on that front, Nuno’s side need to do their bit on the pitch.
Their away form is going to be put to the test in the run-in, with trips to Sheffield United and Burnley to come after the clash at Goodison Park. At home, Manchester City and Chelsea bring their own challenges.
By the time Sunday’s game comes around, the standings might already have changed. On the Saturday, Luton face Brentford at Kenilworth Road and the Blades host Burnley. Depending on those results, the fixture with the Toffees may take on added importance.