Smith – 6.5 – several excellent saves, but some suspect dithering for the first goal and a series of powderpuff flaps at dipping crosses.
Wilson – 7 – out of position and dragged inside on occasions, but he was the only assured defender we had on the pitch.
Morgan – 5 – a clumsy display, peppered with moments of reassuring robustness. Unfortunately he was embarrassed in his battle to contain Mellor and Parkin.
Cohen – 7 – the Cohen engine worked overtime again, despite him being dumped at full back. One or two notable errors, but overall he was one of the most dependable Forest players on the pitch – again.
McCleary – 6 – particularly hard-working and excellent at beating his man, only to run into danger and lose possession. He seemed to be running into cul-de-sacs all night.
Moussi – 5 – a weak performance. Usually held up by his remarkable ability to pick out a pass from almost anywhere, tonight he struggled with the simplest of balls and displayed the same gangly clumsiness that had people fretting during the Burton friendly.
Perch – 6 – broke up play well, but in a 4-4-2 with Moussi in poor form he just doesn’t have enough in the tank to drive a team forward.
Martin – 6 – he covered plenty of ground, as he usually does, but the spark just never seems to be there when we are losing. He’s happy to run at players and try speculative drives, but when this isn’t working his only response is to flail and sulk. He’s a wannabe Ronaldo.
Earnshaw – 6.5 – very little assistance, and dangerous in bursts, but not the livewire we needed.
Cole – 5 – occasional deft flicks and intelligent balls, but why oh why did I keep thinking of Neil Lennon? Cole did not so much run as he did strut, and he literally did not jump for a single header (perhaps he was weighed down by the chip on his shoulder). Forest fans are not the most tolerant and, by and large, we won’t stomach laziness. He was heckled when leaving the field tonight and I certainly joined in. Why? We were 2-1 down and he ambled gradually off the pitch as if he’d netted a hat trick. Brett Ormerod’s going for nothing and I’d sooner have him than Captain Bling if this is anything to go by
Subs:
Tyson – 6
Thornhill – 7
Chambers - 6
