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Nottingham
Forest v West Bromwich Albion
City Ground, Nottingham.
3rd January 2004, 3.00pm. |
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2004 started much in
the way that 2003 ended with a below par performance, although there
were maybe some small signs that things may be starting to turn.
In the first half, Albion looked the better side without really
dominating the game but after Forest had gained the lead, Albion's
response was disappointing.
The surprise in the starting line-up was that three left-footed
players made the first eleven with another two the bench, which
pointed to a change in formation. It wasn't quite the line-up many
had speculated on seeing the players, but it was a 4-4-2 starting
formation for the first time for over three years. The surprise
was that there was a diamond midfield four with Clement at the back,
O'Connor at the front with Koumas on the right and Sakiri on the
left. Haas and Robinson were back in at full backs.
The first half was a less than exciting affair for the fans that
had bothered to turn up. With around 3,000 Albion fans in the ground,
only about 8,000 Forest fans had bothered to turn up to see their
team.
Twenty minutes had elapsed before the first shot on goal was attempted,
a long range shot from Clement that flew just wide. The former Chelsea
man was settling in well to another new role for him, sitting in
front of the back four and acting as a link through to Sakiri and
Koumas.
Albion were keeping possession much better than they had done in
recent games, but a lack of movement from the front two meant that
the penetration we had all expected from a 4-4-2 was not there.
Horsfield was brought down on the edge of the box on one of the
rare moments when he looked dangerous, but Koumas's free kick went
comfortably into the 'keeper's arms.
Forest's most dangerous moment came just before half-time when Taylor
nodded a Reid cross back across goal, but Hoult managed to palm
the ball away from Williams and King who were lining up to convert
the chance.
The second half started in much the same uninspiring manner as the
first, but the game changed dramatically on 52 minutes. With Louis-Jean
shepherding the ball out for a Forest corner, Horsfield was adjudged
to have fouled the Frenchman and referee Kaye gave a penalty. It
probably was a foul but they are not very often given. Horsfield
was booked for his protests.
Despite a good attempt from Hoult, Marlon KING's spot kick was too
good and Forest had the lead. King was then booked for over-celebrating
his first goal in Forest's colours - he had made his debut in the
league encounter with Albion just over a month ago.
The goal gave the home side more belief and they started to get
a grip on the game. Just minutes after the goal, Gunnarsson had
a great chance for the second when he latched onto Reid's free kick,
but Hoult made a stunning save to deny the man from Iceland.
King also had a chance to increase the lead, but his header from
Robertson's cross went straight into Hoult's hands.
Megson made some changes at half time replacing Sakiri with Dyer
and Horsfield with Dobie.
Dyer, making only his second senior appearance, looked very comfortable
on the ball and made some good runs and kept the ball well. Dobie
also livened up the front line with some good movement and running
in the channels. But in the end, nothing quite went right for the
Baggies.
The veteran Des Walker's influence on the game increased as he made
countless interceptions to break up Albion moves, and the most disappointing
statistic of the game was that Ward did not have a single save to
make in the ninety minutes.
There were shouts for a penalty in injury time when Dobie went down
under challenge from Louis-Jean in an incident remarkably similar
to that which lead to Forest's penalty, but this time Kaye waved
play on.
Another frustrating afternoon as a Baggies fan although, ironically,
I thought they looked more comfortable at the back with the 4-4-2
formation. Clement played well in front of the back four, but a
lack of energy and movement up front meant that there was very little
penetration. The Walsall game on Friday is looking very important.
RESULT - NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 WEST
BROMWICH ALBION 0
Marks
Hoult - 7 - Looked solid and made one or two very good saves.
Haas - 7 - Solid but unspectacular.
Gaardsoe - 8 - Another good solid game from the Dane.
Moore - 7 - Generally solid with one or two lapses.
Robinson - 7 - Solid game.
Clement - 8 - MOM. New position but filled it well retaining possession
well and protecting the back four.
Koumas - 7 - An improved performance from JK without really sparking.
Sakiri - 7 - Useful game, I thought he was unlucky to get subbed.
O'Connor - 6 - Strange choice as the forward-most midfielder, but
did OK.
Hulse - 6 - Another uninspiring performance.
Horsfield - 5 - Still to impress.
Dobie - 7 - Looked bright and lively, offered some much-needed movement.
Dyer - 7 - Impressive performance.
The Manager - 7 - Finally went for 4-4-2 but his players, particularly
the front two, didn't provide the spark that may have brought a
win. Dyer was an impressive substitute.
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Nottingham
Forest (4-4-2):
Ward; Louis-Jean, Walker, Morgan, Robertson; Thompson, Williams,
Gunnarsson, Reid; Taylor, King. Subs not used: Roche (GK), Jess,
Sonner, Gardner, Doig. |
West
Bromwich Albion (4-4-2):
Hoult; Haas, Moore, Gaardsoe, Robinson; Koumas, O'Connor, Clement,
Sakiri (Dyer 66); Horsfield (Dobie 66), Hulse. Subs not used: Murphy
(GK), N'Dour, Gilchrist.
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Scoring: King (53,
pen) 1-0.
Bookings: Nottingham Forest - King (ungentlemanly conduct 53). West
Bromwich Albion - Horsfield (dissent 53), O'Connor (foul 57), Haas
(dissent 68), Moore (foul 82).
Referee: A Kaye (Wakefield)
Attendance: 11,843.
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