Nottingham Forest 3, QPR 1
Did we deserve anything after leading 1-0 at HT?
Not really.
Yes we did suffer - in very wet conditions - with two hamstring injuries.
The most crucial was our best player Willock.
He was replaced by Chair - on the half hour.
It was much too early to lose Willock.
And Marshall — having made two spectacular saves was replaced in the last few minutes by Wallace.
We were down to 10 men. We had used all our subs.
But it was all over by then.
We were beaten because we had little pace to defend against the Forest attack.
Yes we tried very hard. Blocking, challenging — almost defending for our lives.
And it is to the team's credit.
But as we all know pace in our defence is not our highlight.
No surprise then that five QPR players were booked — Odjubajo, Dunne. Field, Dozzell and Wallace.
Of course the slippery surface was a factor.
We did well with a good Gray goal from an acute angle just before HT.
Chair created the opportunity and we looked nicely balanced.
But that was despite a shaky defence.
However after HT we lost it in midfield.
We were pressed further and further back by a patient Forest.
A spectacular goal from Spence from 30 yards - 10 mins after HT made it 1-1.
And apart from a short spell of possession we were just not fast enough to cope with the opposition attacks.
On came Jojo and and Hendrick for Dozzell and Amos just after the hour.
But it made little difference.
An own goal — it seems from Dickie - from a corner with Yates connecting - (Yates will claim it) made it 2-1 to Forest 7 mins from time - and then Johnson added a third.
The defeat could have been bigger with Yates missing two clear first half chances and Amos missed too. That could have made all the difference.
But let’s forget the word ‘If’.
We were well beaten having now won just once in 38 matches at Forest.
So where do we go to from here with our next match at home to Peterboro on Sunday (1230)?
Well first do we have a keeper?
No Seny, Marshall now very doubtful, and Archer out long term.
And Willock is most likely out too.
So problems for Warbs.
Ironic isn’t it?
1-0 down at HT at Luton on Sunday and we go on to win 2-1.
1-0 up at HT at Forest and we lose 3-1.
We now drop two places from Sunday to 6th.
We’re still in it — certainly if we beat Peterborough.
We remain 4 points behind 3rd placed Huddersfield with a game in hand.
We are two points behind 4th placed Blackburn also with a game in hand.
We are a point behind 5th placed Luton.
We are level with 7th placed Middlesbro on points and goal difference.
And we are a point clear of 8th placed Forest, having played one more game and we are also a point clear of Sheffield United - and we’ve got to play them twice.
We’re on 59 points from 37 games.
At the same stage last year we were 12th with 50 points.
That’s an improvement of 6 places and 9 more points.
The average points required to make the play-offs is 74.
Robith - on his statistics thread — says 75 points would be enough this season to qualify.
To get that and more we need at least 15/16 from our last 9.
Is it possible — definitely.
We must remain optimistic.
Next match then this Sunday H. v Peterborough (1230).
Twice we’ve lost to them this season away in the Championship and FA Cup.
So those 9 matches left.
Opponents current position in brackets.
H. Peterboro (24) this Sunday March 20
followed by after the international break
H. Fulham (1) Sat April 2
A. Sheff Utd. (9) Tue April 5
A. Preston (14) Sat April 9
A. Huddersfield (3) Fri April 15
H. Derby (23) Mon April 18
A. Stoke (16) Sat April 23
H. Sheff Utd (9) Sat April 30
A. Swansea (15) Sat May 7
And finally well done to those 1000+ QPR fans who went to Forest.
They cheered the team on.
Let's keep doing that at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium on Sunday. |  |
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