Nottingham Forest Match Review
By Unclassified • Jul 26th, 2008 • Category: Match Reports |After battling through some turgid traffic on the M6 I finally arrived in Nottingham parched and looking for a drink. I had been looking forward to this game and I really related to David Moyes comments earlier in the week when he described Forest as a ‘proper club’. The City Ground has character and is a traditional old ground which backs onto the Trent. It’s a shame Forest find themselves struggling outside of the Premiership as a trip here is usually much more enjoyable than traveling to out of town characterless stadia in the likes of Middlesbrough and Bolton. It did come as a disappointment however to find that all the surrounding pubs were very reluctant to let away supporters in. It was like prohibition in America in the 1920s, but only extending to anyone in a blue shirt.
Undeterred by this I entered the ground and all the talk centred on Andy Johnson. I went to Cambridge and I must say he stayed on the pitch far longer than anyone else after that game. He clapped the crowd and spoke to supporters. At the time I thought he had the look of someone who knew he had played the last game for a club close to his heart. Most people were in agreement that it appears his Goodison career is over and this was probably confirmed when the team and subs bench was announced. Johnson was a notable absentee. Johnson has been a fair player for Everton, at times his touch or finishing may have let him down. We could always rely on him to give 100% though and his work rate from the front really set the teams stall out. Apparently he is not in the squad which flies out to America today, so he may well join Roy Hodgson’s mixed assortment of purchases at Craven Cottage; sooner rather than later.
The game kicked off and we were treated to the welcome sight of seeing Mikel Arteta in the starting line up. Elsewhere we had the now familiar pre season mix of youth and experience. Rodwell and Gosling who had both impressed against Preston headed up the centre of midfield. The first half over all was fairly positive. Kieran Agard who looked lively very lively was denied by Forest keeper Paul Smith. Rodwell and Gosling were also scuppered by good saves from the Forest stopper.
The first half however was perhaps more notable for two injuries. Andy Van Der Meyde was taken of early on with a suspected hamstring injury. I think everyone has wanted Van Der Meyde to do well over the last few games despite the questionable way he has treated the club during his stay. If Moyes brings in the five or six players he says he wants VDM may find he is peripheral figure once again as the season starts. He has tried hard in spells during the last few games, but at 29 and without any proper match practice over the last two years his legs may well be on the way out. The second injury saw Mikel Arteta limp of the pitch after he was kicked as Forest decided to opt on ale house tactics to diminish his threat. The news out of the club is that he had a dead leg; so his removal was a purely precautionary measure and he is on the plane to America today.
The second half opened with the same hustle and bustle witnessed from both team in the first. The first goal came just before the hour mark, with Nuno Valente inadvertently putting a clearance past Tuner and into his own net. The score was leveled a little less than ten minutes later. Jose Baxter scored a spectacular goal from just over 20 yards out, much to the delight of the traveling band of Evertonian’s. I have followed Baxter’s career with Everton for a couple of years now having seen him player for Everton and England’s youth team. I don’t want to over hype him but I feel we have a real talent on our hands again here. The lad has an excellent touch, good vision and is extremely comfortable with ball at feet. This season may be one too early to see him have a big involvement in the first team but he is certainly one to keep an eye on. Moyes also seems to really rate Baxter; who has today opted to miss out on traveling with the England U-17’s to play in the Nordic Championship, in favour of traveling to the US with the rest of the blues.
The latter stages of the game saw some familiarity added to the side with the introduction of Yakubu, Steven Pienaar and Leighton Baines. It was a welcome sight to see key personnel return. The younger players have done really well given their opportunity over the past two weeks. Perhaps most pleasing thing I have seen from them is their preference to keep the ball on the deck. Rarely have we resorted to long balls over the last few games which may have been the easier option. Gosling and Rodwell have been an important part of this and their controlled passing and ability to at times dictate tempo may well see one or both of them involved in the first team proper this season.
Moyes was pleased with the nights work and after the game commented; ‘The players have done fine. I was probably more pleased than I was after the Preston game. We probably played better tonight. The players went about it well and the senior ones put in a really good shift. Also, we know we need to get one or two more players back in the side. And we got the Yak and Steven Pienaar back tonight.’
So it’s off the America now for the boys. Hopefully the imminent departure of Johnson will kick start our own squad strengthening. The young lads have been great, but I think it’s obvious to everyone that we need some more bodies in midfield. The Moutinho rumour doesn’t seem to want to disappear so there may be some legs in it, which we are 100% sure there it, and that a deal could possibly take place in the next few weeks. If we signed a player of his calibre it could be a real sign of intent and would be a good way to kick off our summer spending. Two other players that would be welcome are Manuel Fernandes and Lorik Cana, we all know about Fernandes and if you don’t know about Cana, make sure you watch some videos on this one.
As a final note I’d just like to add that I have met a number of fela’s who post on our forum over the past few days during the pre-season games. A link can be found at the top of the page. All have been a pleasure to speak to and are big blues. I’d fully recommend any blue to join and become a part of this new and growing Everton website’s community.
See you in Chicago. COYB!
Excellent write up again. I agree about Baxter its very hard not to get excited.
Keep us posted from the US mate – I’ll look forward to reading your Chicago/Colorado reports!
Yeah I went last night, shame about the boozers. I agree with your report – Gosling & Baxter are looking very good.
I’ll look forward to reading your blog, a much better read than on some of the other fan sites!
Good report that mate. Hopefully I’ll see you in Chicago. COYBB!
Good report mate. I’ll keep my eye on your write ups when the season starts.
Cheers Karl
Nice to hear that everyone is enjoying out content. May I redirect you guys to the FE Forums?
This is the second report Ive read from you mate. I like how you mix your own insights in with the actual match reporting.
Glad to here that some of the younger lads are doing well. I’m with you on the new signings. Hopefully they start soon!
Great report Karl
Considered that when Arteta went off our entire midfield & forward line was made up entirely of youngsters, it was an impressive display considering Forest put out their full strength side.
For me Rodwell was our MOM, he looks an absolute gem – to say the lad is only just 17, an incredible prospect IMO, he’s got the lot, power, pace, vision & is 2 footed – we’ll certainly be seeing more of him this season – as he looks ready to make the step up.
Gosling also looked assured & played his part in CM. Young Baxter took his goal superbly (for those who haven’t seen it here’s a grainy u tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMyg_vpFL8k) he’s physically I think he’s got a bit of maturing to do, before he makes his mark in the PL – but his quality is unquestionable – as long as he keeps focused – he will eventually make a big impact.
Good write up. Agree the youngsters are looking good but we need midfielders in asap
Simon T just to correct you, Forest did not field a full strength side.
Forest’s aim was to give quite a few of the squad a run out particularly in the second half.
Congrats on your sizeable following for a friendly – something we havn’t seen down here for a while !