Nottingham Forest 2-1 Sheffield United (Premier League) 18.08.23
Three points on the table for Nottingham Forest, in what was considered a “must win game” by many Nottingham Forest fans — lay down strong foundations with a home win, and gain points in a game against a newly promoted side, ahead of a tough few weeks to come. Much needed points, lots of positives, but some lessons still to be learned.
The first half:
Forest controlled the first half. Starting the game, Cooper’s side seemed more comfortable in possession, looking to keep the ball more often rather than waste it – less nervy, and more hungry – a nice sight for Forest fans.
To bolster the positives already shown in the first half within the first few moments, an early attack leads to a cross from Serge Aurier, who finds the imposing superstar striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, lurking around the six-yard box, who heads it home to open the scoring — the Blades silenced, and heads down pretty quickly.
From that point, Forest still continued to look strong – Johnson providing many runs, Gibbs-White having shots of his own from the outside of the box, and Awoniyi using his physical presence to bully Sheffield United defenders, who seemed to panic at the sight of the Nigerian forward. Entering the second half a goal up was what Forest wanted, but still nothing was guaranteed – a massive 45 minutes soon followed.
The Second Half:
Heckingbottom’s men were the first out of the tunnel – shape set up, players looking ready to kick-off straight away. Cooper’s men left them waiting for a few moments, but I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nerves entering the second half: the fear of complacency, even after a solid performance in the first half, was present.
Forest started looking shaky, as feared. Losing the ball more often, and Sheffield United pressing high with real tenacity and aggression so early on — the Reds looked stunned, and struggled to cope. To make things worse, Gustavo Hamer, the Blades’ most recent signing – and a quality player he is – finds the ball on the edge of the box, and places a perfect finish into the right-hand corner of Matt Turner’s goal. No chance of a save there, a wonder goal, and a well deserved equaliser from Sheffield United.
Yassr Larouci’s pace worried Forest down the left flank, and Benie Traore was starting to get involved more – United’s attack seemed more threatening, almost like they’d woken up in this second half. The mentality was right, but for Forest, the momentum was killed by that first half ending — Cooper’s eleven seemed timid, and without a leader.
Things would change though, Forest bring on Ryan Yates & Chris Wood – both impressed, and changed the game. Yates’ leadership, mentality, and demanding of a better overall standard improved the team’s performance, I strongly believe that Yates changed Forest in that second half. Chris Wood looked slimmer, and more motivated – his confidence was evident, and boosted, as he scores an 89th minute game-winning header.
Good substations by Steve Cooper, and despite some criticisms, they were game-winning changes for me. Not the perfect game, but three points taken, and forward Forest move. Lessons to be learned – not panicking, being more careful in possession, and tracking back more steadily after a counter-attack. Lessons to be learned, but positives there was many.
Forest: Turner, Aurier, Boly (Elanga 69), Worrall, McKenna, Williams, Danilo (Kouyate 90), Mangala (Yates 69), Gibbs-White, Johnson (Niakhate 90), Awoniyi (Wood 84).
*Article provided by Jamie Martin (Head Nottingham Forest Correspondent).
*Main image @NFFC Chris Wood celebrates scoring Forest’s winner.
