Nottingham Forest v. Sheffield United, 2023-08-18

Let's not try playing without Yates again

Stuart Pearce seems to think MGW is a bit of a show pony.

Turner does a really good job of talking to his defenders.

And I really like Elanga
Williams needs to be playing in some other part of the pitch

If Turner is so good at talking to his defenders why have we been looking so uncertain and hesitant on crosses (I have not been watching this isn't trolling, it's a genuine question).

Going to give a shout out to Chris Wood for something other that the goal. He made a crucial clearance and looked to put pressure on the Undead defenders towards the end. Can’t imagine him playing in the same 11 as Awoniyi but he’s at least showing he’s a good swap when Taiwo starts to flag. Starting to see why we got him from Newcastle.

Obviously I'm particularly pleased. He's a Plan B. Superb goal.

Never understood the hate for Wood tbh. He was previously told to play out of position on the left and didn’t look great ( just like Taiwo), and now he’s played in a position he’s used to and he produces. Good back up option as far as I’m concerned.

Job done for SC.Three points whilst clearly demonstrating to Mr M that he needs to loosen the purse strings.

Good: Johno, MGW, Yates, Aurier, Turner, Elanga, Taiwo, Wood

OK: Danilo, Worrall, Boly

Not Great: Neco, Mangala

Abysmal: McKenna

MOTM: Aurier

Excellent changes by SSC. Yates was the catalyst for our strong finish, Elanga looks terrifying, and although I instinctively hated closing up for the last ten minutes I quickly realised that Arsenal couldn't beat that low block in 90 minutes last season, sure as fuck those knobbers weren't going to manage it.

Definitely looked a better team when Yates came on.
Thought Danilo was pretty poor today.
MGW can be annoying as fuck. Always pretty good but you can just see how much better he could be if he engaged his brain a bit more.
Agree on McKenna - sadly not good enough for this level.

This was where I thought Wood started to look good doing something other than what I expected. Giving their back line something to think about, clearing a ball, generally being a nuisance and not easily forgotten by the Undead once Forest lost possession.
Yates was exceptionally good value as he got into the game and there was a tackle made near the end (just before he tried to shield it at the corner flag, realized he could get it out and nearly set up another chance) which I am a big fan of.
Agreed also on Elanga. Once he settled, he was causing them no end of grief and seems to be intelligent with the ball and what to do with it. Made an excellent play on the ball in the Forest half at the end to recycle it and start a new move forward.

I think the relative strengths of both benches played a decisive part towards the end. We can bring on genuine quality now (and crucially PL experience) which we weren't always able to last season, certainly early on.

Feels like a big win because we're unlikely to take anything from the next one.

The next stage in MGW’s development might be knowing when to drop into the midfield and do the simple and sensible thing for 5 minutes. Love him, but not everything needs to be a game changing flick.

It’s sad to see McKenna at this level.