We are very effective away and what is clear is that a big reason for this is that we are one of the best -if not the best - side at pressing in the division. In the first half against Palace we were awesome in all honesty. A tendency to sit back a little too much has cost us a few points and we are still learning tactically, but we could well potentially be the best away side in the league.
But when you look at our home form, we rarely have a comfortable match, and find it hard when teams do to us what we do to them away. We clearly have to find a way to gain more success at the Valley. Chrissy has tried some different things but what do we need to do to get the desired improvement? And if we do it, will it take away from our away performances?
A simple question with an elusive answer. One that if we crack, may mean promotion next season, so quite an important one. Any thoughts what the solution is?
0
Comments
Away from home the exact same performance would have frustrated the forest fans [home fans]as they had lots of possession and hadnt scored.
Thats it !we play home games behind closed doors.
Seriously if you havnt got the players capable of dominating possession then you are better off away from home as that is what our players can do best-stop the opposition.At home the crowd expects to be entertained[by the home team].
The valley crowd are very patient but it is not fun going to the valley this season but at least we will [probably] survive to fight another day[season].
For me, it was one player - JJ - taking the game by the scruff of the neck and busting a gut to regain not only some ground on the scoreboard but also to show his team mates AND the crowd just what was possible.
This in turn started the chain reaction of confidence growing on the pitch and on the terraces with the "12th man" becoming an important component in the final result.
Not many seem to have listened to them though.
There seems to be a sort of mentality amongst the home support that you see a lot in Spain. Berating if something goes wrong but refusing to acknowledge effort and attitude unless there is always a result behind it.
Take the team out of London on friday as if there playing away and bring them back on saturday.
Away form - 4th
Given the utter dross served up at home our crowd have been very patient.
From the off yesterday we were flat, our pressing and harrying was totally non-existant. Forest won at a canter and were never stretched.
If our precious little soldiers think they are getting a hard time, they should try the bile and venom spat out at places like Elland Rd.
I can happily accept being beaten by a vastly superior footballing team such as Forest. What I can't accept is the midfield strolling around like it is a Sunday afternoon kick about.
Many more home "performances" like yesterday and rest assured the crowd will turn.
I think booing/ jeering is counterproductive and wont do it but at the same time they need to grow some balls and get on with doing what they are paid handsomely to do by people who would love a chance to do it.
They're kicking a ball round in front of fans not performing open heart surgery in the trenches.
Another example of the namby pamby, touchie feelie, let's make sure little Johnny's feelings aren't put out society we find ourselves in.
Muppets.
Basic wage...you then get 100% if you win, 50% if you draw and 10% if you lose.
I know it's not as simple as that but wish it could be.
Dont read any paper really as dont need to pay someone to tell me what to think when I can just log on here for that for free ;-)
Barring the odd silver lining, home games have been turgid affairs and many have alluded to the fact home games are swiftly becoming a chore.
It is my opinion that if we serve up many more performances like yesterday then the crowd will start getting on players backs.
As for your suggestion that I stay at home, I'll continue to attend thanks.
What I don't like is where the crowd urge the ball to go aimlessly forward, but that is a completely different issue.
Pritchard was playing non league football until recently. Wilson was playing League 1 football with Stevenage. Jackson was more recently at Colchester & Notts C. Green was at D&R. Waggy from the academy. Hollands from Bournemouth. Dervite form Spurs Academy. Stephens couldn't get into Soton's Championship team & not even the league 1 team, most of the time. They are playing above themselves.
This is no ones fault. If we haven't got the money, then we can't improve.
We get the results away, because you don't need these assets to such a high level.
We can sit back, keep our shape & close down the opposition. We can then hit them on the break or get a goal from a set piece.
I know it's not always like this, but generally it is.
They need our support at home to help & encourage them. I know it's not easy, but we've got to do it.
I'll hold my hands up & say I got really peed off on Saturday, as they didn't appear to be trying right from the KO.
Bizarrely, it was the same at Forest A.
Perhaps the win at Leicester took too much out of them. But I find it strange that they seemed to show little passion & committment straight from KO. I could have understood it, if we faded 2nd half.
Some won't like me saying this but the relentlessly positive nature of the way support does seem likely to be having an impact on the way the players perform. I'm not saying that the support is not relentlessly positive at the Valley because I rarely get to any home games. But there is definitely a feeling of unanimity between players and the away faithful. Perhaps the away results have nothing to do with that.
What I feel some people don't seem to realise is that it is much harder for a midfielder when his team mates are tightly marked. Sometimes that is the difference between looking good or bad - not the lack of ability of the player. Our 4-5-1 was being played too well by Forest and the midfield had no easy balls and Kermogant (despite doing well I thought up to the point he went) was getting frustarted by the lack of opportunities.
I am with Clem on this one.
Booing and moaning during a game is counter-productive and puts pressure on the team but any crowd, however loyal, will go a bit flat if after 40 mins at home there has not been one attacking move, one strong tackle, one decent pass or any sign of winning ambition or general enthusiasm.
Its hard to roar and clap with delight for 90 minutes as you watch the ball being lumped up to a lone forward for the 78th time who then flicks the ball on to an imaginary second forward while the midfield stand flat footed and gawping from 40 yards away.
I wish someone would explain how this tactic has been so successful away?
I think the managers and the players need to be a bit more positive. They looked lacklustre from the off vs Forest and it cost them as although Forest were the better side, the players should've and could've given a better account of themselves.
As for us fans, I think we are pretty patient and forgiving. If you get served up dross from the 1st minute without any improvement, it hardly makes you enthusiastic.