samo II

Well, either the fight back begins, and we nick something tonight, or we lose again, extend the record and LJ runs down the clock further. I'm hoping literally against hope that LJ can turn us around starting in ten mins, but I'm doing this in the face of all available evidence. But as always... COYR!

Spot on. Can't be doing with the silly and petty insults, but that doesn't mean I can't see that we need someone else in as head coach.

Agreed. The situation we are now in, we now MUST beat Rotherham on Feb 4th, and see that kick start a run which will have to involve winning nearly half our games to stay up. And right now; I honestly don't think we will get anything from any game, and that is due to LJ. Get someone in now, then they have two games to run the rule over the (decent looking) squad, before that crunch game and beyond. I wish it had worked out, but it hasn't; Johnson out.

Listening to that (and I'll bow to anyone there if I'm wrong...) but we sounded poor and toothless. This was the Rubicon - If we'd managed to overcome Forest today, we'd have taken a first step away from trouble. But instead we are now in the thick of it, and with sides like Blackburn and Wigan picking up form, and with Cardiff and QPR pulling clear the rest of the season is a game-by-game fight to stay up. Johnson isn't the right man for us; we need a new head coach, I fail to see anything else we can do to escape relegation.

This is what is terrifying. I'm only listening, but it's all Forest since they scored, at least in any meaningful way. With Wigan winning and Blackburn drawing, we are currently two points from 23rd. We need to do something now regards LJ; we cannot afford to go down.

I think we need to make a move on this now. This isn't good enough.

Unfortunately I got a luck dip this week, but happy to share those if you like!

Really? Haven't been listening; honest - had the end of Liverpool vs Swansea on!

Cant disagree, but just hope that he plays well today. It has been concerning how many injuries he has picked up this year, so think Pack or Brownhill will be in there in his place more often than not going forward. But for today; just hope him and Hegeler keep Forest out, and give a good launch pad for the lads up top.

I'd usually agree, but the importance of this match means I'm pleased we have the experience of GO'N sitting in there, and keeping us ticking over. I also think having Brownhill's energy to bring on might help us if we have to change the game; none of Tomlin, Wilbs or Pack really us running in the middle if we need it. Hopefully Brownhill can keep learning and improving, and before long take over that role, but today I think that midfield represents a sensible move.

Yeah; odd one. But can see the logic; with Tomlin, Pack and Brownhill on the bench looks like we've gone for more options to prop up the midfield if we get leggy, and that isn't a bad call. Wilbs is that bit of experience, and I could see Tomlin deployed up top if we needed to keep the shape but replace a forward. Just happy at that midfield, and the fact there are no changes apart from Tammy (which is a no brainier). Hope Engvall is back next weekend and gets a crack at Burnley, even if off the bench.

Vital, vital, vital match for many reasons. While we don't have to win today (we could lose and still stay up, of course), I'm not sure anything other than three points is really acceptable. Forest have no manager, are also in crap form, just sold their captain, and have off the field problems to rival anyone in this league. If we cannot break a losing streak like the one we are on against this side; when the hell can we. It'll be tense. It'll be tight. But I hope we can sneak it by a goal, and maybe put some light between us and the relegation places. Tammy to be our hero once again. COYR

Well... shit. Glad I can drink tonight. I said before I felt we needed to get a minimum of two points from tonight and Monday to avoid getting dragged into the relegation scrap; have to do it the hard way now by beating Reading. Five losses in a row is never good, regardless of circumstance, and if we can't get anything off teams directly next to us in the table a la Wolves and Ipswich, then you have to wonder where our nex points are coming from... I'm outta here until Monday; Happy New Year all!

Tammy brace, Tomlin with something spectacular, and an Ipswich goal just to keep us on our toes. 3-1 At least that is what was running through my head when I got up today! COYR!

Agreed. One thing about the results this season is how they've often mirrored (not in score line but in points taken) those from last year - of our games from Nov and Dec 2016, only the away game to Huddersfield led to a different outcome (away loss rather than an away win). Ipswich will be a bit of an acid test; not only have we recently beaten them, but got a point away there last season during a fallow period - we lose there (however well we perform) and I'd be worried we are perhaps in terminal form. Let's be honest; we are slap-bang midtable right now - 10 points off the playoffs, seven off the drop; that's pretty much where I expected us to be a the end of the season, and if we can end 2016 in that area, then am happy to see how we progress under LJ. Understand why people are baying for his blood, but also don't want to become one of those clubs who sack and sack and sack - don't think that would solve things TBH.

Honestly; at this point, if Preston had scored thanks to Santa his ****ing self flying down and distracting the defence while the ball tricked over the line thanks to a backpass, I'd not be surprised... Rotten way to lose a game. Am not going to state anything like fact as was not there, but was the commentary right in stating Bryan was beaten for the cross that led to the goal? If so; add that to the pile of goals he's had a hand in this year by being made to play as full back. One sucker punch like on Tuesday is bad enough, but two in one game... Christ knows what we need to do to win, or even just bloody score first for once. Evening = ruined.

The concern is we're often on top, but are not well equipped enough at the back to hold the opposition at arms length. If Golbourne is not trusted to hold down that position, I honestly hope we buy someone in the window to play there, as not convinced Bryan is the answer.

I know Tomlin is considered effective cutting in from the left, but I'm more than worried his defensive cover is Bryan, who I do not think can cut that position at this level. Yeah; each time I see Bryan in at left back I get worried. Not sure why Golborne isn't ahead of him there; might not be top class, but is steady and experienced at this level. Hope he plays a blinder and proves me wrong, but not seen Bryan play a match at left back where he's impressed at this level yet.

I know; the happiest of clappers is I. But seriously; we're slap-bang mid-table, which was where I thought we'd be most of the season. Some seem to think we'd be genuine contenders in a league with the likes of Brighton, Newcastle and Norwich despite only having the ship righted by a cracking run in last year. Me? Glad not to be trying to scrape together points to drag ourselves out of the relegation zone. Another done; on to the next one.

Ack. Another narrow loss in a game where we failed to take our chances. Really think the biggest factor here is having not got a striker in to replace Kodjia - Tammy was always going to have times he wouldn't score, and Engvall still is an unknown quantity. Some will likely go mental at this, and they are entitled to do so. But am happy to let this team continue to develop. If we were taking the sort of beatings we got last year despite some good performances, then I'd be worried. But I'm not yet.

Poor game from us. Think the commentator said we've conceded first in 14 games? That's appalling. Not going to suggest a solution, but that is clearly a significant problem. I think Huddersfield were better, and deserved 3 points, but a big part of that is they are set up to get the ball into their dangermen as much as possible; we don't have the same focus - Tomlin and Tammy are feeding off scraps, and so we don't look dangerous for long periods. And I'm not sure Pack and Smith work as a two man midfield; I'd prefer one or the other with Gary O'Neil, or even Bobby Reid, who again showed he adds forward motion and movement to the side others don't. Plus our young Swede must be wondering what he has to do to get a game; why are we not throwing him on to see if he can make an impact? What's the point of our only forward on the bench seemingly not being an option is when chasing the game? Oh well; disappointing, but onwards and upwards. Could have been worse; Frankie could have (rightly) got sent, then we'd have lost by more, I've no doubt in my mind. Credit to Huddersfield; look a decent side. Well, except for the alice-band wearing prat in their defence - that cheating ***** can **** off.

Clarke comes over as a self-regarding oaf, but his record in dragging that mob out of non-league on a shoestring is hard to argue against. And when compared to their owner, who has done exactly nothing to make good on his talk of investment in the club, I'd wager Clarke is in a pretty strong position to walk if not backed. All told; don't expect them to have the blockbuster second half of the season, nor for them to hit the skids and head back to League Two (mores the pity), but also don't see them massively altering their team via investment, so may very well be heading into another period of uncertainty and strife. But as long as they give us a good laugh with their hilarious antics now and again, it's all good.

Last year we lost a fair few where we deserved something, often to late goals, so will take the odd undeserved win/draw this year!

Good ol' Wilbs bailing us out, thanks to a bit of quality from Tomlin. Also nice for Smith to get a chunk of minutes under his belt, and that we've somehow stayed inside the top 6, despite only getting three points in three games. A bit of a 'free hit' against what is looking like a out-of-form Hull team on Tuesday, which could be a bit of a confidence boost if we do get something, but a few tough league fixtures coming up. Will need strong performances in our next three matches (Barnsley, Brighton and Birmingham) to get anything, so hope this helps lift us. COYR

Another excellent result, and again in the face of early adversity. This team really have spirit, and married with what looks to be a head coach canny enough to alter things at the right moment, this means we always stand a chance. I'll say what I've said before; the fact we've not even got Smith or Mathews properly back yet (nor have seen much of Engvall either) means we've not even been able to pick from a fully fit squad, and yet we're giving it a right go. As always the 'Magic 50' is the number I'm most concerned about, and nice to be getting closer to that. But you have to ask; is are the favourites in this league as 'clear cut' as many made out pre-season? I'm not so sure. LJ's revolution rolls on, and I cannot think of a better game to return to after the two week break; love a chance to get at Cardiff. Another small point; I was wary of the last three games - I saw them as a barometer of progress, as in the corresponding fixtures last year we'd won under LJ at Fulham, dramatically drawn at home to Leeds under Cotts, and got one of our rare pre-regime change wins home to Forest. My hope was we could match the points tally we got from the same matches last year, which would suggest we were changing and professing if not improving. But we've only gone and bettered those results, and now Cardiff away (a dull draw under SC last campaign) leaves us the opportunity to improve again. I really hope we can take it.