It’s funny how a couple of good wins against Derby and Blues can totally change your outlook isn’t it?
Yes, I know it’s fickle of me, but the fact is we looked awful for a good while and I didn’t think for one minute that reintroducing Jack Grealish would make such a difference.
But he has and that’s where we are; I once again believe that we can beat anyone in this league.
Team news then and Tuanzebe and Lansbury are back in training, but tonight will be too early for them.
Otherwise, nothing has changed.
Nottingham Forest could be without Lewis Grabban and Matty Cash and Martin O’Neil has hinted that he might change things up, which suggests he might be forced to.
O’Neil certainly seems pretty confident about the game and has also hinted that he might go for it.
Which could possibly play into our hands, although we know Forest can score goals too, as we saw at Villa Park.
Both clubs have decent squads and some very decent players at this level.
Hence I see it being a good game, with hopefully plenty of attacking on our part.
Our only problem is what to do with John McGinn and in my opinion, Dean Smith should stick with the side that started against Birmingham and bring McGinn on for added energy as and when required.
I know McGinn helped to transform our game on Sunday, but I’m a big believer in sticking with a successful side.
There’s a strong argument that McGinn should start, which would give, say, Whelan a bit of a rest. I’m not sure the Irishman would be too happy about it though.
Bringing Green in for Adomah might be a good idea too, although I suspect Smith sees the youngster as more of an impact player for now, so don’t really see it happening.
Whichever way Smith decides to go will be fine with me and it’s a very pleasant problem for him to have.
I think if we had a full strength defence, I’d be 100% confident that we can win this.
But even though we haven’t, our defence is a lot better than it was when we played Forest at home and I don’t expect us to get caught out so easily.
That said, I’m still quite confident and while I don’t expect another 5-5 goal glut, I do see goals.
I’m going for a 2-1 win to us and would normally be happy with a draw.
But we need the points if we’re to maintain our push for the play-offs and I think we have to be confident.
Comments
84 responses to “Forest – Villa; my confidence returns, Villa to win”
Wow, Forest are clueless atm.
We’re passing it around like it’s a trainer.
Good back tracking from El Ghazi in the middle then, to nick the ball.
Really good workrate atm.
Blues losing to Milwall
Hause booked after letting the ball slip and pulling the opposition player down.
Ansalifard booked for diving.
Blatant one too…
Yep.
We’re scaring the shit out of them, imo.
Abaham shoots on the turn, but it’s saved.
Corner.
Tammy…nearly
Taylor consistently proving how shit he is.
I count 6 touches and he’s fucked 5 up.
Ah, hands up, good cut out by Taylor then.
Blues 0- 2 Milwall, if anyone’s interested.
The reds fans are not happy here.
I wonder if the lunatic running onto the field and the likely consequences has affected the noses a bit. It’s bound to have some effect.
I do hope so.
Shit, good defending, but we need to keep pushing them
Right now I’d be happy with 1-2 at half time
Sod that, I want a third, but we’ve backed off, it seems.
Keep the pressure on and we’ll beat these, imo.
1-2 Happy with that. Forest came back but they are at home
HT 1-2 to us.
A strange game, as neither of us seem to have much shape.
I think we’re worth the lead, myself.
Forest finished strongly – we have to get at them start of second half. A word for Green – playing well. JG a little quiet and McGinn not seeing enough of the ball as the half wore on.
COYL
That wasn’t meant as a criticsm (of McGinn) – merely an observation. Forest closing down better and denying Grealish and McGinn the space they had in the first 20 minutes.
A lively first half. When we went 2-1 up I thought we might go on and score a couple more but Forest wrestled back the initiative towards the end of the half. McGinn was outstanding as always but El Ghazi too quiet. I would prefer Adomah because he defends better and in front of Taylor we need that.
Chance for Tammy! Well wide though
Forest are really weak in midfield.
We can win this,
I’d be contemplating Whelan for El Ghazi.
Cuts the width, I know.
But he can drive us through the middle.
Hause scores 3-1
1-3 Hause!!!!!
First goal for Hause and the simplest he’ll ever score. Let’s keep them out now lads.
No, it’s Adomah on for El Ghazi.
Now we’ve gone 3-1 up, a good move to shore up our left hand side.
Badger your 2 minutes in front of me, I went to look at site to see Hause had scored . Just going to say that Abraham not getting a look in , what’s gone wrong. Still 3-1 I’m not complaining.
Bill, he doesn’t need to.
Forest are crap tonight and we’re quite good.
Taylor booked for taking too long over a throw.
That’s pathetic and a real bugbear of mine.
Stupid booking.
Have they over watered the pitch or something? Lots of players, including Forest, are slipping over.
Another bugbear of mine, Pat
The assistant ref looks as if he’s going off injured