Life after Calderwood continues to be beautifully simple. As the axed manager gave a dreary commentary on Preston’s clash with Burnley, the side he left behind were preparing for a fourth consecutive win.
This isn’t simply an improvement, it’s a wholesale revolution.
Of course it isn’t all because Calderwood has left, and it isn’t all because Davies has arrived. But whatever the reasons, it is extremely important.
On Boxing Day, smarting from a rout by the division’s bottom club, who could have predicted that by mid-January we would be three points clear of relegation – above Derby?
Today’s performance was nothing to get especially excited about. The key difference between this display and the Calderwood equivalent is the outcome of three points.
Davies has done little more than bring common sense to the banks of the Trent.
We are no longer marking empty spaces or stumbling forward into dead ends. The squabbles over responsibility aren’t happening, and the culture of tolerating failure has been replaced by a sober realisation of the consequences.
A lot of this is, of course, is the result of players doing their utmost to satisfy a new mentor. But I would like to believe that Davies’ approach to graft and discipline is worthy of some credit.
The pre-game reception for the new manager was exceptional. And there is no doubting that the crowd responded to his calls for vocal support, albeit in patches.
Capital One Corner was particularly buoyant, blemished perhaps by a bizarre chorus of ‘you’ll never work again’ in the dying moments. I have never seen as many baffled faces in the lower Bridgford.
In terms of the football, it was a simple game – stunted slightly by a finicky referee with a fondness for his own whistle. Forest were deep, but crucially Tyson and Earnshaw were not. Instead of roving without direction, we returned to the tried and tested ‘two lines of four’.
It is astonishing how many incoming managers profit from addressing these basic points. I think this is the first time we have played 4-4-2 properly for several years.
Plymouth are not a bad side, but they found themselves rattled by a show of genuine grit.
Without doubt the most important moment in the game was Anderson’s wildly deflected strike. Striking so soon after half-time left Plymouth winded and out of ideas.
They played some reasonably effective football, but at 2-0 we never once looked flimsy enough to throw the game entirely.
Plymouth’s flustered attempts to find a way back into the game opened the door to a series of Forest chances – there is a case for saying it should have been even more convincing. But who’s complaining?
The squad certainly needs new blood, but our current form shows that a bit of common sense is almost equally important.
Ratings:
Smith – 6 – taken out of the firing line but, as ever, struggled when not under any real pressure. On more than one occasion he moved to claim balls and then simply melted. Too hesitant.
Chambers – 5.5 – a solid enough first half, but a fairly poor second. Despite obvious work rate, he struggled to stop players passing him fairly regularly.
Morgan – 8 – solid as a buffalo throughout.
Breckin – 7 – didn’t appear to have too many problems this afternoon; his lack of pace is a problem, but he looks more settled this season than he did in the division below.
Wilson – 6.5 – fairly solid, I barely remember his contribution – which I see as a very good thing.
Anderson – 7 – his pace was vital on the break in the second half, but again his ‘end product’ let him down.
McGugan – 7 – a reasonably quiet game until the final 15 minutes when he set about savaging our visitors for the space they were leaving in the middle.
Perch – 7 – had a reasonable game; breaking up play and covering ground ahead of the defence. Having heard his pre-match interview I’m keen to see the armband given to somebody else, particularly as I don’t think he should be starting anyway.
Cohen – 7 – the usual Cohen characteristics of endless hard work and consistency.
Tyson – 7.5 – caused a lot of trouble, probably should have finished the game with a goal.
Earnshaw – 7.5 – work rate has doubled since ‘nemesis’ Davies arrived, and it is paying off. Our form and his goals are no coincidence.
