Sooner or later all Forest managers call upon Ryan Yates. We’ve seen this time and time again. Glasner is just the latest in a long line on the conveyor belt who understands that Yates is the true spirit of this club.
So when the team news dropped an hour before kick off, it was something of a surprise to see Captain Yates’s name on the starting eleven.
Yet simultaneously it was no great surprise. Sure he’s not there to win the game for us - although there would be a few cold water swimmers down by the Trent if that was to happen.
Nope. Captain Yates is there as a significant turning point in Glasner’s short time at the World Famous so far. We’ve reached that tipping point when it’s time to call on Yates. Let’s hope that the rest of the team would recognise the symbolism here.
I listened to the build- p on BBC Radio Nottingham. I did raise a smile when Notts manager Martin Patterson commented on his Third Division outfit being live on TNT at the same time as Forest on Sky:
“This is a great chance to showcase our club to the rest of the country.”
Behave, fella.
There was mist rolling in from the Trent when the two teams walked out. PROPER Trent End mist, m’duck.
First observations: why the chuff weren’t Man City wearing their usual blue? There was absolutely no need to wear a white away kit. It looked all wrong.
I settled down and… SHIT THE BED. We’ve only gone and scored first at the World Famous as well.
Blimey.
Cuna’s goal was as unexpected as it was welcome. We’ve heard that there is much more to him than simply being a lanky central defender that has the height to play in the Premier League.
We weren’t told, however that he also has some dribbling skills and is actually incredibly tricky and technical when on the ball. Good effort for having the belief in yourself and basically ramming through a very disorganised City defence.
The Sky telly cameras then panned in on the Big Fat Greek who was in the house. He’s been absent for a few months now. I’m not sure of the details surrounding this. I did fear when his beaming face appeared on the telly that he had turned up with a P45 in his back pocket.
Spoiler alert: it wouldn’t be needed this evening.
And then we come to Delap.
Stan Collymore is reborn.
His first goal was just an absolute beast of a centre forward’s effort. It showed he has absolute balls and belief in his talents. The way he just bullied the entire City defence, and he had a rocket of a shot that would have got Stan firing his pistols.
And so 2-0 up and Forests were in dreamland. This wasn’t what we were expecting.
The inevitable City goal followed. It then got a little nervy.
Defend! Defend! Defend! Defend! Defend!
We could seriously do with an Andy Dibble moment here. The one goal lead never seemed enough against City. Haaland was incredibly quiet - he always is until he then goes and bags a hat trick.
Cometh the hour cometh the man once again. OH MY DAYS what an absolute dream of a second goal from Delap. I think I preferred it more than his opener.
It was a way that Yates had some kind of comical bicycle kick in defence to give the ball to MGW. He set off on one of his mazy runs and timed his pass to perfection.
TWAT!
Back of the net.
Everything always starts with Ryan Yates, right?
And so Forest finally had a home win at the World Famous. This all came after the week in which Glasner dared to open his big mouth and say things that perhaps he shouldn’t have said.
When Nuno had a Benny fit he got sacked. When Glasner had a Benny fit he walked away with three points, thank you very much.
Oh and I love the stat that Forest ran more than Man City but had a lower XG.
It would just be Forest luck if all Man City results are ruled null and void at the end of the season, but let’s enjoy this for the moment.
This was a memorable night down at the World Famous and one that Forest fans have been waiting for far too long.