Nottingham Forest v Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

[tomd2103]

I thought we bullied them and won second ball after second ball. Anderson struggled massively.

I just thought as it wore on, they just dragged us into the horrible niggly sort of game we just struggle with really.   

[ROBBO]

More time to think about the game, conditions were difficult the ball was skidding through. Some of our lead up play at times was brilliant, again it was the lack of clinical finishing that lost us the extra points. A gree with previous poster, Emery left the changes too late, some of our players were struggling.

[LeeB]

I thought we bullied them and won second ball after second ball. Anderson struggled massively.

If you watched the game with no context it would be Ross nailed on for a starting England midfield spot not Anderson.

[TheToffnar]

A frustrating match, but for different reasons then those I've had for similar results this year.

xG stat completely underselling us as per. On another day it's a mirror of the home fixture, perhaps a goal or two more. The fact we created so much whilst players like Cash, Tielemans, Watkins and Rogers where off it is cause for a certain amount of optimism, I suppose.

Thought Cash in particular had his worst game of the season, probably not helped by the early card. Lindeloff as good as he's been all season for us. Just a brilliant bit of business that.

[LeeB]

A frustrating match, but for different reasons then those I've had for similar results this year.

xG stat completely underselling us as per. On another day it's a mirror of the home fixture, perhaps a goal or two more. The fact we created so much whilst players like Cash, Tielemans, Watkins and Rogers where off it is cause for a certain amount of optimism, I suppose.

Thought Cash in particular had his worst game of the season, probably not helped by the early card. Lindeloff as good as he's been all season for us. Just a brilliant bit of business that.

Fully agree, as annoying as it was not to get all the points the underlying feeling was that we're playing much, much more like ourselves and should we continue to do so we will be absolutely fine going forward.

[TheToffnar]

I thought we bullied them and won second ball after second ball. Anderson struggled massively.

Think calling him 'unremarkable' yesterday would be a compliment. Watched a fair bit of Forest this season and can't remember him looking quite that complacent, both on and off the ball. He looked absolutely knackered. Their whole midfield was giving us acres of space.

[eye digress]

Thought Cash in particular had his worst game of the season, probably not helped by the early card.

Maybe it's the result of the recent injury, but you're right to say he wasn't on it yesterday, and hasn't been for a few matches - in fact, the last two games, he's been given the runaround. The goal came down his side once again.

At the same time, it's important to recognise the context of his outstanding form earlier in the year which, alongside Konsa, was a major factor in dragging us out of our late summer slumber.

[Mister E]

I thought Dougie brought some composure to the team when he came on.

[TheToffnar]

Thought Cash in particular had his worst game of the season, probably not helped by the early card.

Maybe it's the result of the recent injury, but you're right to say he wasn't on it yesterday, and hasn't been for a few matches - in fact, the last two games, he's been given the runaround. The goal came down his side once again.

At the same time, it's important to recognise the context of his outstanding form earlier in the year which, alongside Konsa, was a major factor in dragging us out of our late summer slumber.

Of course. Didn't mean to sound as though I was chucking him under the bus. Love the lad and he's had a fantastic season all things considered, but it would be a rotten time for him to start having a wobble...

[eamonn]

Their goal was soft, they didn't have to work too hard for it.

McGinn, who was pretty majestic throughout, did leave Williams spare. And it was a good shot but Bizot will still be annoyed about conceding at his near post.

[PeterWithe]

Whilst it was preventable in a few places, NF have clearly worked on that, McGinn has to be close to Cash to stop CHO blasting past him but that leaves Williams the space to shoot from distance, we probably gamble that the latter has less chance of scoring.

[TheToffnar]

It's a percentage play I've noticed us use a lot this season. Don't close the player down and leave gaps, play the stats of a miss or a body getting in the way.

As much as I think the metric is a load of bull at times, those chances are low xG for a reason.

[brontebilly]

I thought we bullied them and won second ball after second ball. Anderson struggled massively.

If you watched the game with no context it would be Ross nailed on for a starting England midfield spot not Anderson.

Barkley didn't play in midfield? Anderson, MGW, Jesus, CHO all poor, Hutchinson died out of it in second half .Wood no impact off bench either. Fortunate point for them.

[Keeno]

A word for Onana who I thought was excellent yesterday, won the battle vs Anderson and Sangare quite easily, his progressive passing was also good which was needed, given Youri didn't have his best game. He's a cheat code defensively - makes so many interceptions, tackles and covers ground so well.

It's gone under the radar a bit but he's been a lock in the team since Kamara got injured, playing with a few different partners too, and this run in the side looks to have been the making of him in Emery's system. Clearly trusts him now. 

Mouthwatering prospect to pair him back with Bouba next season. Whatever happens with transfers our central midfield will remain one of the best in Europe. And we get to sing the fun song.

Given we lost the last 2 games at the City ground, a point looks good. And the fact we DID create clear-cut chances is encouraging and shows we're playing with much more confidence and form than we were 5-6 weeks ago.

[Percy McCarthy]

^^ Agreed, I thought he stood out amongst the centre-mids yesterday.