Writing a Crap Match Report when Forest are crap is easy. The words take care of themselves. Writing a Crap Match Report when Forest are fantastic requires a little more thought. Why did that just happen? What was the tactical set up? How did the fourth Head Coach of the season manage to put in place such a change in fortunes, one week after the Wolves downer that led to Dyche’s sacking?
I can’t answer any of the above. I can only write about what I saw on Thursday evening whilst watching on the telly. SHOUT OUT to the 1,200 Forest fans that managed to make the military like trip over into Asia for a European fixture. I very rarely leave the village these days. I admit to a momentary feeling of jealousy watching the social clips of those taking on the great adventure. We use to get excited ahead of a Highfield Road away day.
The European suits were back once again ahead of KO. These are very ill-fitting. They first made an appearance midway into the European adventure away at Braga. I’m not sure why they weren’t worn in Seville back in September. Maybe it was the weather?
I’ll happily take seeing the 15 stone or so of Murillo squeezed into a poorly tailored suit, if it means that he is in the starting line up ahead of Morato. Yes, he looked a little bulky. And yes, I didn’t see any sign of the ‘injury’ that kept him away from the final dark days of the Dyche regime. Fancy that.
The suits were soon stripped off, and Forest were Welcomed to Hell wearing all red - which felt appropriate. I always bloody love it when we are kitted out in Garibaldi red from top to bottom. Now then: how to go about silencing the Fenerbahçe partisan crowd, not to mention the bloody annoying PA system?
Playing an amazing opening spell of the game might help. A couple of first half goals would almost certainly give the Forest away support at least the chance of being heard. Cometh the hour, cometh the BULK of Murillo to walk through the midfield and guide his shot home, almost Collymore style. We all knew this was coming at some stage. It had a slight feel of Des at home to Luton back in the day.
It wasn’t all Nu Forest. There was still some confusion from set pieces. The sight of MGW looking frantically at the subs to receive a message about what the chuff to do was a little worrying. The on field argument with CHO about what was about to happen wasn’t a good look. I can help you out here: our set pieces are going nowhere and near some urgent work, as they have done all season.
Elsewhere and I wouldn’t tinker too much with whatever training ground time is available between now and Sunday ahead of Liverpool t the World Famous. Having had their footballing brains coached out of them with three different messages so far this season, the instructions from Pereira seemed to be just go out and bloody enjoy yourselves.
The Fenerbahçe penalty claim looked decent to me. Some you win, them’s the breaks, etc. It would have been a turning point in the match - and indeed the two-legged tie. The perfect response from Forest was to go the other end and score… from a set piece. Scrub what I said earlier. That was no easy header from Jesus. The ball was rising. He had to rise even higher just to control it and direct it down. BACK OF THE NET.
I was happy at 2-0. Time to shut up shop. But Forest weren’t happy. They continued to press on the break. How brilliant was Sangare? He looks so immobile, but then has the skills to turn on the spot and blind side two opposition players. He’s the enforcer that Forest have missed for many years now. His pace may let him down in the PL, but he is perfect for these European away days.
The MGW third goal finally silenced the Fenerbahçe ultras. It’s all gone quiet over there, etc. Watching MGW score an away European goal for Forest in February is something that seemed highly unlikely last summer when #lolspurs were circling.
The post-match presser from Pereira was very classy. There was no finger pointing at the part-time players on the bench. He made a point of giving a hug to Bakwa at FT, no doubt with the message that your time will come. He spoke of how the win was down to the players, and not him. He’s not had time to coach them yet. The more Dyche coached them, the worse they got. Let’s hope that Pereira continues with a Laissez Faire approach.
In summary: OUTSTANDING. This team surely can’t get relegated? Good luck in selling out the WFCG for the return leg dead rubber.