A tactical game with both sides trying to pass the ball around.
Antonio is a great winger but don't Forest overuse him. So many other good players everything going out to him. Gomez will have learnt a lot tonight.
But we won a tight game where neither keeper made many saves.
Cousins immense. Our whole 1st choice back 4 missing and we still win against a good side.
Bulot a new player, Watt brings something totally different to the side. Like Fuller but fitter.
Doubt we can finish higher than 8th so now is the time to tie key players to longer contracts. Gomez, JBG, Johnson, Bulot for a start.
Isn't Bulot a loaner?
Yup sadly so
And expensive according to KM so I would not have too high hopes of keeping him...Can I be the first to say I thought he looked useful when he came on as sub v Fulham away? Yes, honestly...
Make no mistake Forest are a good side and we matched and overcame them.
So many bright spots. That gangly young teenager Jordan Cousins has matured into a young man and is now arguably our best box to box player since Parker. He has an incredible engine and was everywhere helping out both defensively and in attack. Yoni Buyens ran around and tackled and looked far more like the player who impressed so much in the undefeated start to the season. Bulot scored with a free kick worthy of Jacko, Yann, JBG and finished well from the otherwise beleaguered Wilson's cross. Morgan Fox has grown from scapegoat to assured defender so much so that he frustrated Burke by name Burke by nature, one of the best wingers in this division, to make an idiot of himself by trying to hurry Henderson. Gomez the 17 year old is a modern Martin Peters, 10 years ahead of his time with the poise and confidence he displays. Diarra came in at centre half and also looked as if he'd played there all season. I could go on.
The underlying uncertainties as to the long term strategy remain but I hope and pray that keeping the bulk of our developing squad together is on the agenda. For the first time since the Curbs days I feel the potential is there to develop a team that can go places.
Injuries are a concern. I hope young Harriott is OK. The way he went down I fear the boy could have done his ligaments and be out for a long time.
The one player who had a hard time tonight was Lawrie Wilson. Antonio cruised past him as if he wasn't there for the Forest goal but he stuck to his task against a difficult opponent and at least had the consolation of an assist before his substitution. I wasn't sure myself whether it was the right decision but three points say it was!
When my wife says have I got enough clothes because The Valley gets cold I facetiously say sometimes that the quality of the football will warm me up. Tonight it did.
Really enjoyed tonight - as much as I'd have loved to have steamrollered another side 3-0, there really was something to be said for coming out on top in a competitive game against a decent side.
I often hear hear people say that Dale Stephens only started performing last season when he was itching for a move - I hope now they realise how much of a disservice they were doing to Jordan Cousins. Suddenly Buyens doesn't look so disinterested, just like Jackson didn't look so anonymous in the short time they played together against Brentford. I reckon you could put me next to Jordan and I'd shine like a slightly more athletic Peter Garland.
And a special mention for Morgan Fox who I thought had a a really very good game today... OK MAYBE NOT TO LEPOINT I'D GO MAD AND RATE HIM AS HIGH AS A 5 OUT OF 10 OR NUFFINK, but very, very decent none the less.
The Red Robin said: » show previous quotes This. We need a winger as back up at least. Bulot played well on Saturday but we all know he won't keep that up.
A tactical game with both sides trying to pass the ball around.
Antonio is a great winger but don't Forest overuse him. So many other good players everything going out to him. Gomez will have learnt a lot tonight.
But we won a tight game where neither keeper made many saves.
Cousins immense. Our whole 1st choice back 4 missing and we still win against a good side.
Bulot a new player, Watt brings something totally different to the side. Like Fuller but fitter.
Doubt we can finish higher than 8th so now is the time to tie key players to longer contracts. Gomez, JBG, Johnson, Bulot for a start.
Isn't Bulot a loaner?
Yup sadly so
And expensive according to KM so I would not have too high hopes of keeping him...Can I be the first to say I thought he looked useful when he came on as sub v Fulham away? Yes, honestly...
At this stage of the club development we need "expensive". I expect Vetokele, Gudmundsson and Buyens aren't cheap either?
My understanding of David Joyes notes in November suggested we are running to the same budgetted loss as last season. But the difference on the pitch is incredible.
I sincerely hope they decide to build on what we have for the end prize makes it all worth it.
- great night, super game. Entertained and home happy
- I'm Morgan Fox's biggest critic but not so far up my own arse not to admit when the boy plays a stormer. He didn't put a foot wrong tonight, played with confidence and composure all the more credit worthy given the quality of the opposition and a new back four line up. Well played son.
- Luzon is winning me over. He looks and behaves like a care in the community competition winner but the transformation I the team in the last six weeks is phenomenal. Hats off to him. Good to see him acknowledge the covered end at the end tonight.
- Diarra was immense. Experience helped out all the young guys. We need him signed up
- Cousins is another proving me wrong. I'd always seen effort with little quality. In his correct position he has been immense.
- LePoint might just be a player.
- Watt. What more is there to say? Superb.
- Wilson and Harriott are nearing the end of the road Two troopers and proper Charlton. But just not good enough for where we appear to be headed. Thanks for the memories and good luck wherever you both end up.
Tonight was the acid test. Forest are a good side. We got three points by grinding it out with a makeshift line up but with a good and consistent shape with only one square peg in a round hole.
We are now safe. Two many teams below us for them all to get past us. Enjoy the rest of the season and get the new players signed up on proper contracts.
Only read page one so far but had to put my thoughts down before I burst !
Tonight nearly had me in tears ....but for all the best possible reasons.
This squad of lads is ( and I use a phrase I 've only honoured a certain ex manager with ) simply the best.
A collection of players performing out of their skins match after match. Derby was an aberration. We were caught out and GL above all learned a valuable lesson from it & has demonstrated that in spades ever since.
Tonight's starting eleven worried me ...playing against a team in ascendency following the appointment of the Palace reject we surely needed our best players performing at their very best.
But as I'll continue to say until I fall off the perch....what do I know ?
I'm starting to feel sorry for our manager. How can he possibly know who are his best players now - the understudies tonight were immense. OK, Lawrie had a tough time but his assist for our 2nd goal showed he shouldn't be permanently sidelined & rarely will he face such a tough opponent as he did tonight. And Callum...well, a couple of nice touches but the jury's still out.
But young Morgan is growing into his role before our very eyes , match by match. How many times did he get forward ! And Joe - well, RD must be a happy man ....Diarra is a class act as we realised when he first put on the shirt, and is obviously capable of playing in more than one position.
EVERYONE played their part and that's a recurring theme.
But above all, Jordan Cousins is a revelation. I can find no other word to adequately describe this young man. Overshadowed to some degree last season by the now departed Diego"Splinters" Poyet, Jordan has developed into the most consistent & consummate midfielder we have seen at our Club since Mark Kinsella (IMO) No-one doubts his skill but his engine, his strength, his focus and his utter commitment for the full 90 mins has to be seen to be believed. Tonight, everyone worked their socks off ...but Jordan worked off ALL the socks in M&S's hosiery department. My POTY with knobs on even though it's only March.
So, another 3 points from a hard fought, entertaining game and fully deserved. Surely even The Doog can't say his Merry Men were unlucky to come away with nothing ! We now have a team that's difficult to beat, difficult to score against and with, at last, an attacking mentality. Undoubtedly, TWWW has been a fantastic addition to our squad & it's clear for all to see how he revels in his current role here. Of course, such individual performances catch the eye & bring a smile to our faces but it's the dynamic of the team as a whole that brings a lump to my throat ( probably my hornimones! ) It's been a while since everything seems to be slotting into place on the pitch & it's testament not only to the players themselves but to their management team who should take a bow. RD should be aware that it doesn't take too much to make Charlton fans happy - we're relatively undemanding when it comes to our football at this Club - but we do admire honest , hard working players who give their all week in, week out, and show they're proud to wear the shirt.
And that's what I see at this moment in time when our lads take the field. Long may it continue.
Not long home - roadworks on the A2 and M25 were a bastard - and posting before reading.
In many ways that win was both more impressive and more satisfying than the other recent more convincing victories.
Firstly - Forest came on a hot run of form, brimming with confidence and with a team full of talent.
Secondly, Charlton were without three of our best players in Solly, JBG and Johnson.
Thirdly, it was a tough challenge. We had to dig deep in terms of character and defend well, which we managed to do without making our usual mistake of dropping too deep. We defended in part by attacking, remaining in the hunt for a third goal right until the end.
Fourthly - in addition to the preceding point, it was a tactical masterclass from Guy Luzon. He was imaginative in coping with the injured trio but spotted where it was going wrong and was man enough to make two very brave and correct substitutions in the 2nd half.
Fifthly - great atmosphere from the Covered End - better than last Saturday - despite a sparser crowd.
On top of all that, some excellent performances, especially from Jordan Cousins (again), Frederick Bulot and Tony Watt. Young Joe Gomez did well despite some wayward passing and did a much better job on shackling Antonio than Lawrie Wilson managed, albeit much better supported by Bulot and Cousins than Lawrie had been.
Not many negatives and I really don't want to mention them after such a good win anyway. The bandwagon rolls on, to Cardiff next Saturday. Let's hope our walking wounded recover sufficiently to keep the great run going as we plant our Charlton flag in the rich and teeming earth of South Wales.
If we won every one of the 11 matches that we have left, we would finish with 78 points, which would have put us 5th last season. Now, I know it's extremely unlikely, but if you look at our next 5 fixtures:
Cardiff A Blackburn H Blackpool A Reading H Millwall A
I know what you are saying, it is a massive long shot, but any team that has goals in it (as we now have), always has a chance of reeling off that kind of run. I think I am right in saying that for both promotion years 97/98 & 99/00, that we went on a similar run at this stage of the season?
When we found out it was true about the injuries, I wondered if i'd been a bit hasty saying even thou we would lose to Derby we would beat Udders and Forest.
Guy had some hard choices to make tonight, Ok he may not have got it right from the start but how many coaches would make the changes at h/t when in the lead. most of us watching would've but guy has not seen so many games. To get Bulot and Gomez to double up on Antonia shows that Luzon can think on his feet, or even when he's crouching.
After the Beautiful football against Brentford and Huddersfield, I thought it might be a case of after the lord mayors show, but it was great that we can play with grit and battle away to show we can win ugly if need be.
I have Been watching CAFC for a very long time now, can anyone tell me the last time we had such a showman as Tony Watt at the club, plus the boy has magic feet.
Carry on with the carnival.
Three games in a row that cafc fans have left the ground with smiles on their face.
Best final three minutes I can remember! Watt & Cousins were magical in that corner - really closed the game off in the most entertaining fashion.
Tony Watt fast becoming a CAFC fave and our 2nd half performance was tactically spot on.
Jordan Cousins my Man of the Match but Bulot was a very close second - not just scoring both goals, the first with a superb JBG'esque free kick, the second dropping his marker and finding enough space to take a touch and finish beautifully but his defensive contribution, doubling up with Gomez to shut out Antonio, 2nd half was immense.
Luzon read the game superbly and made the changes at half time that swung the balance back to us. First half, Forest were excellent at switching play which meant CAFC struggled to regain shape when not in possession, added to which the play usually ended up with Antonio having a run at us and all credit to him for a superb run & finish.
Then came the Luzon master stroke - 2nd half. He has stated numerous times how they are working on their shape and recovering shape, in training. Putting the equally quick Joe Gomez at RB to stifle Antonio with Bulot & Cousins doubling up really helped reduce Forest's play switching tactic, allowing us to recover our shape much more effectively and this better organised set up, albeit workmanlike, did the trick.
Well done the entire team.
Totally proud of our lads and Management tonight.
We look like a team who work as a team.
Thought things were going too well when we got to the Blackwall Tunnel in record time - only to reach A12 Brentwood and to find it was closed for road works! A small price to pay for a great evening's entertainment.
I don't know how serious the various injuries are but Luzon does seem to differ from his recent predecessors in not hesitating to rest players that have a minor knock, giving them a bit of time to recover fully; Cousins last week being a good example.
I quite like this concept, though didn't quite believe it when I saw last night's defensive line-up. He puts trust in the back-up players and that can only be good for their confidence.
Luzon has a rather deeper squad to choose from compared to any point since we got promoted since League 1. It's good that he's giving players a break, but it's somewhat easier to rest players when you have people like Eagles, Diarra and Bikey in reserve.
It seems to me that these Belgian managers pick and choose games they think they must win and put out the strongest side. We saw that with Riga last season and to some extent with Guy so far. Saturday was a must win game and tonight was a bonus with a few knocks for some players. I think he is eyeing Saturday as a winnable game. Then again I could be wrong.
Of course, such individual performances catch the eye & bring a smile to our faces but it's the dynamic of the team as a whole that brings a lump to my throat ( probably my hornimones )
Luzon has a rather deeper squad to choose from compared to any point since we got promoted since League 1. It's good that he's giving players a break, but it's somewhat easier to rest players when you have people like Eagles, Diarra and Bikey in reserve.
With a makeshift central defence (Johnson & Ben Haim missing), no Solly and no JBG, this was a severely weakened side (on paper) so this was a big test to the character of the squad.
Forest had won 5 and drawn 1 in the last 6.
Yes, they had a lot of possession but 2nd half we gave as good as we got and it showed that we are a good side at this level.
Wilson got mugged for the goal, yes, but he also made our 2nd and overall did OK. He got severely clattered by Antonio (into the advertising hoardings) near the end of the first half and my lad suggested that the half time change may have been because of that, or partly because of that.
The only down side was Callum Harriot who didn't have a good half and seemed unable to do anything right. Trying not to add any negatives as it was such a good, all round performance and I genuinely wish him well in recovering his mojo. His first touch is poor, decision making poor and as my lad said, he waits for the ball to come to him which makes him easier to defend whereas Eagles, by comparison, comes to the ball much more.
Luzon wants the lads to enjoy their football for the last 11 games so we will be attending as many games as poss - hopefully we'll see even more exciting stuff!
Antonio dumped him into those hoardings to undermine him further as he could see he was struggling against him. Ref was weak not booking him which invited Lansbury to do the same on Diarra. It is shameful to play in this way and the ref has a duty of care that he failed to show.
Antonio dumped him into those hoardings to undermine him further as he could see he was struggling against him. Ref was weak not booking him which invited Lansbury to do the same on Diarra. It is shameful to play in this way and the ref has a duty of care that he failed to show.
Their player, Fox, should probably have been sent off for an elbow - think it was on Gomez or Bulot - shocking that he got away with it.
Lansbury, to use a Manchester expression as I lived up there for 20 yrs, 'Saw his arse' for much of the game - he was feisty from the first decision that went against him and how he stayed on the pitch after the numerous nasty tackles after his booking is a mystery.
Am I the only one who thought Forest should not have felt obliged to give the ball back when Vetokele was injured (or in truth 'fatigued')? I couldn't understand why they kicked it out in the first place.
I think Harriott getting injured in quite possibly the funniest sniper / falling over moment I've seen for years, and then limping down the tunnel, down Luzon a favour with an enforced sub. I don't think he'd have made that change otherwise. Not that I thought Harriott was having a bad game, we were just too exposed down that side.
Would love to know how well a fit Solly would have done up against Antonio tonight.
The Harriot "injury" looked like sheer embarrassment from where I was sitting. Almost expected to see him with an ice-pack on his ego after the game.
Comments
Make no mistake Forest are a good side and we matched and overcame them.
So many bright spots. That gangly young teenager Jordan Cousins has matured into a young man and is now arguably our best box to box player since Parker. He has an incredible engine and was everywhere helping out both defensively and in attack. Yoni Buyens ran around and tackled and looked far more like the player who impressed so much in the undefeated start to the season. Bulot scored with a free kick worthy of Jacko, Yann, JBG and finished well from the otherwise beleaguered Wilson's cross. Morgan Fox has grown from scapegoat to assured defender so much so that he frustrated Burke by name Burke by nature, one of the best wingers in this division, to make an idiot of himself by trying to hurry Henderson. Gomez the 17 year old is a modern Martin Peters, 10 years ahead of his time with the poise and confidence he displays. Diarra came in at centre half and also looked as if he'd played there all season. I could go on.
The underlying uncertainties as to the long term strategy remain but I hope and pray that keeping the bulk of our developing squad together is on the agenda. For the first time since the Curbs days I feel the potential is there to develop a team that can go places.
Injuries are a concern. I hope young Harriott is OK. The way he went down I fear the boy could have done his ligaments and be out for a long time.
The one player who had a hard time tonight was Lawrie Wilson. Antonio cruised past him as if he wasn't there for the Forest goal but he stuck to his task against a difficult opponent and at least had the consolation of an assist before his substitution. I wasn't sure myself whether it was the right decision but three points say it was!
When my wife says have I got enough clothes because The Valley gets cold I facetiously say sometimes that the quality of the football will warm me up. Tonight it did.
COYR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I often hear hear people say that Dale Stephens only started performing last season when he was itching for a move - I hope now they realise how much of a disservice they were doing to Jordan Cousins. Suddenly Buyens doesn't look so disinterested, just like Jackson didn't look so anonymous in the short time they played together against Brentford. I reckon you could put me next to Jordan and I'd shine like a slightly more athletic Peter Garland.
And a special mention for Morgan Fox who I thought had a a really very good game today... OK MAYBE NOT TO LEPOINT I'D GO MAD AND RATE HIM AS HIGH AS A 5 OUT OF 10 OR NUFFINK, but very, very decent none the less.
» show previous quotes
This. We need a winger as back up at least. Bulot played well on Saturday but we all know he won't keep that up.
Where are you, mate?
Time for some humble pie? ;-)
My understanding of David Joyes notes in November suggested we are running to the same budgetted loss as last season. But the difference on the pitch is incredible.
I sincerely hope they decide to build on what we have for the end prize makes it all worth it.
- great night, super game. Entertained and home happy
- I'm Morgan Fox's biggest critic but not so far up my own arse not to admit when the boy plays a stormer. He didn't put a foot wrong tonight, played with confidence and composure all the more credit worthy given the quality of the opposition and a new back four line up. Well played son.
- Luzon is winning me over. He looks and behaves like a care in the community competition winner but the transformation I the team in the last six weeks is phenomenal. Hats off to him. Good to see him acknowledge the covered end at the end tonight.
- Diarra was immense. Experience helped out all the young guys. We need him signed up
- Cousins is another proving me wrong. I'd always seen effort with little quality. In his correct position he has been immense.
- LePoint might just be a player.
- Watt. What more is there to say? Superb.
- Wilson and Harriott are nearing the end of the road Two troopers and proper Charlton. But just not good enough for where we appear to be headed. Thanks for the memories and good luck wherever you both end up.
Tonight was the acid test. Forest are a good side. We got three points by grinding it out with a makeshift line up but with a good and consistent shape with only one square peg in a round hole.
We are now safe. Two many teams below us for them all to get past us. Enjoy the rest of the season and get the new players signed up on proper contracts.
Happy days. What difference a few weeks make.
Tonight nearly had me in tears ....but for all the best possible reasons.
This squad of lads is ( and I use a phrase I 've only honoured a certain ex manager with ) simply the best.
A collection of players performing out of their skins match after match. Derby was an aberration. We were caught out and GL above all learned a valuable lesson from it & has demonstrated that in spades ever since.
Tonight's starting eleven worried me ...playing against a team in ascendency following the appointment of the Palace reject we surely needed our best players performing at their very best.
But as I'll continue to say until I fall off the perch....what do I know ?
I'm starting to feel sorry for our manager. How can he possibly know who are his best players now - the understudies tonight were immense. OK, Lawrie had a tough time but his assist for our 2nd goal showed he shouldn't be permanently sidelined & rarely will he face such a tough opponent as he did tonight. And Callum...well, a couple of nice touches but the jury's still out.
But young Morgan is growing into his role before our very eyes , match by match. How many times did he get forward ! And Joe - well, RD must be a happy man ....Diarra is a class act as we realised when he first put on the shirt, and is obviously capable of playing in more than one position.
EVERYONE played their part and that's a recurring theme.
But above all, Jordan Cousins is a revelation. I can find no other word to adequately describe this young man. Overshadowed to some degree last season by the now departed Diego"Splinters" Poyet, Jordan has developed into the most consistent & consummate midfielder we have seen at our Club since Mark Kinsella (IMO) No-one doubts his skill but his engine, his strength, his focus and his utter commitment for the full 90 mins has to be seen to be believed. Tonight, everyone worked their socks off ...but Jordan worked off ALL the socks in M&S's hosiery department. My POTY with knobs on even though it's only March.
So, another 3 points from a hard fought, entertaining game and fully deserved. Surely even The Doog can't say his Merry Men were unlucky to come away with nothing ! We now have a team that's difficult to beat, difficult to score against and with, at last, an attacking mentality. Undoubtedly, TWWW has been a fantastic addition to our squad & it's clear for all to see how he revels in his current role here. Of course, such individual performances catch the eye & bring a smile to our faces but it's the dynamic of the team as a whole that brings a lump to my throat ( probably my hornimones! ) It's been a while since everything seems to be slotting into place on the pitch & it's testament not only to the players themselves but to their management team who should take a bow. RD should be aware that it doesn't take too much to make Charlton fans happy - we're relatively undemanding when it comes to our football at this Club - but we do admire honest , hard working players who give their all week in, week out, and show they're proud to wear the shirt.
And that's what I see at this moment in time when our lads take the field. Long may it continue.
Onwards & upwards !
In many ways that win was both more impressive and more satisfying than the other recent more convincing victories.
Firstly - Forest came on a hot run of form, brimming with confidence and with a team full of talent.
Secondly, Charlton were without three of our best players in Solly, JBG and Johnson.
Thirdly, it was a tough challenge. We had to dig deep in terms of character and defend well, which we managed to do without making our usual mistake of dropping too deep. We defended in part by attacking, remaining in the hunt for a third goal right until the end.
Fourthly - in addition to the preceding point, it was a tactical masterclass from Guy Luzon. He was imaginative in coping with the injured trio but spotted where it was going wrong and was man enough to make two very brave and correct substitutions in the 2nd half.
Fifthly - great atmosphere from the Covered End - better than last Saturday - despite a sparser crowd.
On top of all that, some excellent performances, especially from Jordan Cousins (again), Frederick Bulot and Tony Watt. Young Joe Gomez did well despite some wayward passing and did a much better job on shackling Antonio than Lawrie Wilson managed, albeit much better supported by Bulot and Cousins than Lawrie had been.
Not many negatives and I really don't want to mention them after such a good win anyway. The bandwagon rolls on, to Cardiff next Saturday. Let's hope our walking wounded recover sufficiently to keep the great run going as we plant our Charlton flag in the rich and teeming earth of South Wales.
Well done lads, and especially well done Guy.
A very happy, tired and proud Addick.
Cardiff A
Blackburn H
Blackpool A
Reading H
Millwall A
Surely all of those are quite winnable?
Guy had some hard choices to make tonight, Ok he may not have got it right from the start but how many coaches would make the changes at h/t when in the lead.
most of us watching would've but guy has not seen so many games.
To get Bulot and Gomez to double up on Antonia shows that Luzon can think on his feet, or even when he's crouching.
After the Beautiful football against Brentford and Huddersfield,
I thought it might be a case of after the lord mayors show, but it was great that we can play with grit and battle away to show we can win ugly if need be.
I have Been watching CAFC for a very long time now, can anyone tell me the last time we had such a showman as Tony Watt at the club, plus the boy has magic feet.
Carry on with the carnival.
Three games in a row that cafc fans have left the ground with smiles on their face.
COYR.
72.7 is the average points total (over the last 10 seasons) for the last play-off place. So 9 wins from 11 required minimum. :-)
Watt & Cousins were magical in that corner - really closed the game off in the most entertaining fashion.
Tony Watt fast becoming a CAFC fave and our 2nd half performance was tactically spot on.
Jordan Cousins my Man of the Match but Bulot was a very close second - not just scoring both goals, the first with a superb JBG'esque free kick, the second dropping his marker and finding enough space to take a touch and finish beautifully but his defensive contribution, doubling up with Gomez to shut out Antonio, 2nd half was immense.
Luzon read the game superbly and made the changes at half time that swung the balance back to us.
First half, Forest were excellent at switching play which meant CAFC struggled to regain shape when not in possession, added to which the play usually ended up with Antonio having a run at us and all credit to him for a superb run & finish.
Then came the Luzon master stroke - 2nd half.
He has stated numerous times how they are working on their shape and recovering shape, in training.
Putting the equally quick Joe Gomez at RB to stifle Antonio with Bulot & Cousins doubling up really helped reduce Forest's play switching tactic, allowing us to recover our shape much more effectively and this better organised set up, albeit workmanlike, did the trick.
Well done the entire team.
Totally proud of our lads and Management tonight.
We look like a team who work as a team.
Thought things were going too well when we got to the Blackwall Tunnel in record time - only to reach A12 Brentwood and to find it was closed for road works!
A small price to pay for a great evening's entertainment.
COYR!
I quite like this concept, though didn't quite believe it when I saw last night's defensive line-up. He puts trust in the back-up players and that can only be good for their confidence.
Great result.
Forest had won 5 and drawn 1 in the last 6.
Yes, they had a lot of possession but 2nd half we gave as good as we got and it showed that we are a good side at this level.
Wilson got mugged for the goal, yes, but he also made our 2nd and overall did OK.
He got severely clattered by Antonio (into the advertising hoardings) near the end of the first half and my lad suggested that the half time change may have been because of that, or partly because of that.
The only down side was Callum Harriot who didn't have a good half and seemed unable to do anything right. Trying not to add any negatives as it was such a good, all round performance and I genuinely wish him well in recovering his mojo.
His first touch is poor, decision making poor and as my lad said, he waits for the ball to come to him which makes him easier to defend whereas Eagles, by comparison, comes to the ball much more.
Luzon wants the lads to enjoy their football for the last 11 games so we will be attending as many games as poss - hopefully we'll see even more exciting stuff!
Lansbury, to use a Manchester expression as I lived up there for 20 yrs, 'Saw his arse' for much of the game - he was feisty from the first decision that went against him and how he stayed on the pitch after the numerous nasty tackles after his booking is a mystery.