Nottingham Forest v. Midtjylland FC

Based on tonight's evidence, they are dreadful. Back in the bottom three as it stands.

My recollection is noone would pass to him as they had no confidence in his ability at full back?

Defensively he was fine then he was knackered.

Dont need him bombing forward.

Also he must be terrible because he was training with the Full England team during the international break.

He is just an option… Anyway as you were. I expect Neco and Zinchenko but hope that the Ukrainian isn’t in the back. ( well he won’t be even though he is meant to be).

Chicago: giving yoof a chance.

Not as a full back though?

He would still be a better full back than Zinchenko.

Anyway it’s moot. I highly doubt he will play.

Chicago: Slightly biased.

I’d be moving Zinchenko into midfield while Luiz is out. Prob move Nico back over and Savona at RB. Especially for these guys who are apparently good at set pieces. We could use some additional height at the back.

They are owned by Benham, I think? So I'd expect to see lots of Brentfordisms. Bet they care about xG for a start.

Yes I saw that and thought the same. Just got a feeling that Savona may be heading for the patio though.

The BBC article that Guru refers to says he sold up a couple of years ago, but sounds like many of the methods remain in place.

Ah missed that, thanks.

For what it's worth, Opta rank them as the 73rd best team in the world. We're 35th (16th when the draw took place!), Sunderland 59th, Swansea 195th.

And we've won one home game in the last six months. (Yes, that includes the close season but also defeats against Brentford, Everton, Sunderland, West Ham and a draw with Leicester). Wonder why the atmosphere is a bit down?

Indeed add to that most folks ambivalent at best towards new manager who has done nothing to win people over.

(And as an aside the amount of people on the socials horrified that Nuno is saying same things about fans etc at the Hammers as he did at Forest and realising that he's not a diehard Forest fan like them is frightening. I increasingly wonder how many people survive in every day life).

Also Coops and (maybe to a slightly lesser extent) Nuno were very good at recognising the fans' contribution and keeping them on side. Nuno was already working on this after his first game at West Ham.

Obviously if Ange turns results around, the atmosphere will improve, but a few reminders of how intimidating and raucous the CG can be, and what that means for the team, wouldn't go amiss.

Postecoglou made some comment last week about how it wasn't "love at first sight" for him here (in terms of the fan reaction to him, rather than vice-versa). I get being realistic and honest and I suppose it's good that he's recognises it but I'm still not sure that's a wise approach.

Ultimately, and it's a statement of the bleeding obvious, he needs some wins.

Zinchenko out, Murillo back. Looking forward to Morato floundering at left back.

Zinchenko injured?

Morato should be nowhere near the full back position. Savona is an iItalian international full back for God's sake. Play him. As for Zinchenko, happy he is not playing. No offence to the Ukrainian but I don't want him anywhere near the defence. Put him in Midfield (the number 10 position he might be useful). when he is feeling better.

I hope Neco is made of steel because we absolutely need him. Unless we are 3-5-2 tomorrow with N'Doye and Bakwa as wing backs which they have played before. I would be okay with that.

Chicago: left back in the changing rooms