Andy Munro on Blues’ trip to Nottingham.
Disappointment in ‘only’ drawing at Forest shows how far we’ve come, albeit with an occasional blip on the way. This was against a team that were rich enough to keep hold of Tesche, can afford a turnover of managers, revolving door style, and, more importantly, have a more than decent home record.
Gary Rowett sensibly went back to basics in terms of the players he picked although the side had a slightly different shape with a 4-3-3 formation. This meant that the hole disappeared and Toral moved out to the flanks. To be honest, it’s not a position that I normally think suits him but fair play, he came up with a superb diving header.
It was a shame that the blossoming Soloman-Otabor was sacrificed but there will be plenty of future opportunities in the offing. The defence also looked robust under pressure with Caddis thankfully restored, even if it was down to Hobson’s Choice. Robbo was at his rumbustious best which didn’t go down well with Forest’s Portuguese man of war striker who ended up more like one of the jellyfish variety.
I suppose against ten men (albeit in the last quarter), we were favourites to edge it but such is Forest’s squad depth that they can bring on much fancied danger man winger, Oliver Burke who gave them much needed impetus in the closing stages.
A point at Forest is not to be sneezed at but we need some pedigree reinforcements if we are to remain in play-off contention. Rumour has it, we’re interested in Walsall’s Tom Bradshaw but I can’t see the logic of signing a comparatively diminutive striker when we usually only play one up front. However, we do need a forward capable of scoring goals as back up to Donaldson. That could work also as a striking partner, if we play (whisper it) 4-4-2. It certainly works for Watford with Deeney and Ighalo but maybe that’s down to their calibre.
Mills scoring with a header shows how much aerial responsibility lies with Morrisonn, and he can’t mark everybody, hence the pressing need for another central defender whose not vertically challenged. Eitherway, it’s nice to look out of the January transfer window with some genuine expectation.