Well, I'm glad that I won't have to go to Forest again this season (unless we play them in the FA Cup)....
The usual Hooters was an experience. A friend of mine punched by a Nottingham Forest knuckledragger after leaving a pub fight which involved Forest hoolies throwing glasses at QPR fans who really didn't do anything about swap banter. The ******* who threw the punch was let out the back of the pub - by the bouncer on the door, who then had the temerity to tell me during my conversation with the police that it was QPR fans' fault. Hopefully CCTV will capture everything. Another QPR fan who was arrested was eventually released and apologised to by Nottingham police. I hope they also look at the CCTV and fire the bouncer.
The game itself was a pretty dire affair.
Both sides, fielding two banks of five midfielders, pretty much cancelled each other out, although the best player on the pitch - particularly in the first half - was one Adel Tarrabt. He ripped Forest's midfield apart - it was as though he was the only who realised how rubbish Forest were. He forced Camp into a wonderful save from a strike, but he only had himself to blame for missing an opportunity from only a few yards out on a snap shot. Kenny really didn't have to dirty his knees in the first half.
In the second half, Forest started the brighter and probably looked the more threatening (if you can call it that). Kenny was forced to make a good save. Tarrabt again nearly scored, cheekily chipping Camp from about 8 yards out, only to see the former Rangers play pull off a sensational save.
Anyway, my ratings:
Kenny - 8: Good save in the second half. Did well to ignore Forest singing about his issues at home.
DEFENCE
Walker - 5: Played on the wrong side, and was a shadow of how we know he can play. Let's hope he's back to form against Preston...
Gorkss - 8: Dealt with Blackstock in the middle, and stood out strongly.
Hill: 7: Not awful - although is it OK to wish that he'd not let the balls bounce. Would have been ripped apart by a better forward.
Mackie: 8: Played fantastically at right back. Excellent effort.
MIDFIELD:
Ephraim: 5: Has lost his mojo since early in the season. If it wasn't for suspensions and injuries, he wouldn't be playing.
Smith: 6: His crossing left a lot to be desired today. Got a knock in the second half which didn't help either.
Faurlin: 5: Second straight poor performance. Let's hope we see a return to the old Faurlin we know and love when we play Preston, eh?
Tarrabt: 9: The only player to show his teammates how crap Forest really were. The problem for him was that he had very little support, so he had to shoot - sometimes wildly. The player of the game on both sides
Derry: 6: Booking at the end will cost him a match against Preston, but he didn't look too bothered. He marshalled the midfield wonderfully against Forest, although he looked crowded out by the end. Distribution wasn't wonderful, either.
FORWARD
Hulse: 4 Some girl was outside saying: "Do you have a message that you'd like to give to Neil?" I said: "Yes, don't play ****ing Rob Hulse". I get the feeling around 2,500 agreed with me, because when he was taken off, no-one applauded. A poor man's Heidar Helguson.
SUBSTITUTES
Rowlands: 6 Great to see Rowly on the pitch.
Agyemang: 7: Did 400 times as much as Hulse did.
Clarke: 6 Didn't get the ball.
The usual Hooters was an experience. A friend of mine punched by a Nottingham Forest knuckledragger after leaving a pub fight which involved Forest hoolies throwing glasses at QPR fans who really didn't do anything about swap banter. The ******* who threw the punch was let out the back of the pub - by the bouncer on the door, who then had the temerity to tell me during my conversation with the police that it was QPR fans' fault. Hopefully CCTV will capture everything. Another QPR fan who was arrested was eventually released and apologised to by Nottingham police. I hope they also look at the CCTV and fire the bouncer.
The game itself was a pretty dire affair.
Both sides, fielding two banks of five midfielders, pretty much cancelled each other out, although the best player on the pitch - particularly in the first half - was one Adel Tarrabt. He ripped Forest's midfield apart - it was as though he was the only who realised how rubbish Forest were. He forced Camp into a wonderful save from a strike, but he only had himself to blame for missing an opportunity from only a few yards out on a snap shot. Kenny really didn't have to dirty his knees in the first half.
In the second half, Forest started the brighter and probably looked the more threatening (if you can call it that). Kenny was forced to make a good save. Tarrabt again nearly scored, cheekily chipping Camp from about 8 yards out, only to see the former Rangers play pull off a sensational save.
Anyway, my ratings:
Kenny - 8: Good save in the second half. Did well to ignore Forest singing about his issues at home.
DEFENCE
Walker - 5: Played on the wrong side, and was a shadow of how we know he can play. Let's hope he's back to form against Preston...
Gorkss - 8: Dealt with Blackstock in the middle, and stood out strongly.
Hill: 7: Not awful - although is it OK to wish that he'd not let the balls bounce. Would have been ripped apart by a better forward.
Mackie: 8: Played fantastically at right back. Excellent effort.
MIDFIELD:
Ephraim: 5: Has lost his mojo since early in the season. If it wasn't for suspensions and injuries, he wouldn't be playing.
Smith: 6: His crossing left a lot to be desired today. Got a knock in the second half which didn't help either.
Faurlin: 5: Second straight poor performance. Let's hope we see a return to the old Faurlin we know and love when we play Preston, eh?
Tarrabt: 9: The only player to show his teammates how crap Forest really were. The problem for him was that he had very little support, so he had to shoot - sometimes wildly. The player of the game on both sides
Derry: 6: Booking at the end will cost him a match against Preston, but he didn't look too bothered. He marshalled the midfield wonderfully against Forest, although he looked crowded out by the end. Distribution wasn't wonderful, either.
FORWARD
Hulse: 4 Some girl was outside saying: "Do you have a message that you'd like to give to Neil?" I said: "Yes, don't play ****ing Rob Hulse". I get the feeling around 2,500 agreed with me, because when he was taken off, no-one applauded. A poor man's Heidar Helguson.
SUBSTITUTES
Rowlands: 6 Great to see Rowly on the pitch.
Agyemang: 7: Did 400 times as much as Hulse did.
Clarke: 6 Didn't get the ball.
Comment