Forest v Barnsley - from a Forest fan

Hi folks, sorry to intrude but I run a blog following Forest, I was hoping you would help with a preview I'm writing for our impending game. I like to analyse our opposition in respect to how they'll play. This is the kind of thing I usually come up with - Last Barnsley preview: http://forestboffin.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/preview-forest-v-barnsley.html - I'd like some input from you guys this time if possible. You don't need to answer everything, just as much as you like.

Firstly, how highly is Flitcroft rated by your fans? As an outsider looking in I think he did a great job last season, especially how he improved your record against teams high in the division. Can he push on this year?

What system are you likely to play away at Forest? I was surprised to see Blackburn stick 5 past you - I've not seen that game yet, what went wrong tactically?

Last game you did a great job in not allowing us the space we needed I seem to remember - I knew this would be the case from watching you beforehand and wasn't surprised that we didn't win. What were your memories of the game?

Think you'll stay up?

What do you think of Barnsley's business in the transfer market this summer? I see you signed Dale Jennings - I saw him play a few years ago (for Tranmere? Sorry not sure) and though young he looked the business - any good?

Who do we have to look out for and why?

Chees in advance for any help, will pop back in a few days, and after the game regardless of the result. Have a safe journey down.

Thanks, Forest Boffin
http://forestboffin.blogspot.co.uk/

 

Firstly, how highly is Flitcroft rated by your fans? As an outsider looking in I think he did a great job last season, especially how he improved your record against teams high in the division.
Towards the end of last season he'd attained God like status. We were relegated when he took over in the new year, but we went on an amazing run. Probably the best run of results in the club's history considering how bad we looked before he got the job. However, after a few bad results at the start of this season the grumbling began again. We're football fans, we're fickle, what can I tell you?

Can he push on this season?
I hope so. I believe we've got the best squad since returning to the Championship 8 years ago.


What system are you likely to play away at Forest?
3-5-2. Although as we're away from home it will more than likely take the form of 5-3-2.

I was surprised to see Blackburn stick 5 past you - I've not seen that game yet, what went wrong tactically?
We were 1-0 up, then our big centre half was sent off. Down to 10 men we fell apart.

Think you'll stay up?
Yes.

What do you think of Barnsley's business in the transfer market this summer? I see you signed Dale Jennings - I saw him play a few years ago (for Tranmere? Sorry not sure) and though young he looked the business - any good?
We've seen 5 minutes of Jennings. Came on as a second half sub in the first game of the season. He tripped over the ball then got sent off. Too early to judge, but I'd sum up his contribution so far as very funny.

Who do we have to look out for and why?
I would have said Pedersen, but he was injured playing for Norway last night, so...
The skilful players we signed in the summer (McCourt and Jennings) aren't likely to feature as our manager doesn't believe they're up to speed yet. After seeing Jennings in that first match I think he's right. If we're going to beat you we'll do it by working harder than you, like we did for most of our victories last season, not by the skill of individual players. Having said that, O'Grady can be a real handful up front.

 

Firstly, how highly is Flitcroft rated by your fans? As an outsider looking in I think he did a great job last season, especially how he improved your record against teams high in the division. Can he push on this year? Legendary status. What he did last year was unbelievable, from the shower of **** that turned up before Christmas (you'll remember beating us 4-1 at Oakwell) to the team that beat Leicester, Watford, Hull, Brighton etc. Bit of a dodgy start to the season but we've got some good players now and it'll click soon enough (hopefully on Saturday).

What system are you likely to play away at Forest? I was surprised to see Blackburn stick 5 past you - I've not seen that game yet, what went wrong tactically? Vs B'Burn, we started well, got ahead then the ref decided to be a dick and send out CB off. They scored from the resulting free kick and then the defence collapsed. With 11 men I'd have fancied us to win that game, we didn't play too badly except from some aberrations at the back and by the keeper.

Last game you did a great job in not allowing us the space we needed I seem to remember - I knew this would be the case from watching you beforehand and wasn't surprised that we didn't win. What were your memories of the game? Thought you were clearly the better team that we fought hard and our keeper made a few cracking saves. Was back to the wall but we never gave up, had a lot of injuries at that point etc. so a good point away from home.

Think you'll stay up? Aye, we'll piss it. Mid table.

What do you think of Barnsley's business in the transfer market this summer? I see you signed Dale Jennings - I saw him play a few years ago (for Tranmere? Sorry not sure) and though young he looked the business - any good? Jennings is nowhere near fit yet, got sent off on his debut which didn't help. Needs time before judging. Our best signings were getting O'Grady full time, Pedersen looks quality on loan from Vitesse, Ramage should be a class signing.

Who do we have to look out for and why? O'Grady and Pedersen. If we can get the right service to them on Saturday they can cause problems. A lot will count on our full backs I reckon, definitely our weakest area at the minute.

 

Be good to ask where do we think we will finish rather than will we stay up

 

Firstly, how highly is Flitcroft rated by your fans? As an outsider looking in I think he did a great job last season, especially how he improved your record against teams high in the division. Can he push on this year? Very highly. Bit of a wobble due to the results in the opening few games but after a decent win over Hudds at home, things are looking better again. I think he/we can push on this year and should be targeting a higher finishing place than 4th bottom but it remains to be seen if we can manage that considering our relatively low budget.

What system are you likely to play away at Forest? I was surprised to see Blackburn stick 5 past you - I've not seen that game yet, what went wrong tactically? The system is anybody's guess really, changes game by game. 3-5-2/5-3-2 seems to be the preferred formation atm among our fans as our wing-back system can be quite effective. It then depends on how defensive or offensive we want to go in midfield, sometimes we play 3 CM's or just 2 and throw a flair player on in the hole behind the strikers (Mellis), effectively creating a 3-4-3. 4-4-2 is also an option for us, though we very rarely play two out-and-out wingers down the flanks and instead move a CM out wide (Dawson) to provide more defensive cover for the full-backs. I would be happy to be corrected on this but I think we have ALWAYS played with 2 strikers under Flitcroft whatever the formation behind them.

We had a man sent off against Blackburn + I wasn't there so it's difficult for me to comment. However, our fans after the game were really concerned by the tactical naivety shown by Flitcroft after the sending off as he failed to replace the centre-half who had been shown the red (M'Voto) with another from the bench (McNulty). We ended up with 3 full-backs and winger playing across our back 4 and subsequently conceded 5. Poor.

Last game you did a great job in not allowing us the space we needed I seem to remember - I knew this would be the case from watching you beforehand and wasn't surprised that we didn't win. What were your memories of the game? I'm afraid I wasn't there but I was listening in online and yeah, nails were bitten that day.

Think you'll stay up? Yes. I think our squad is stronger than at least 3 other teams in the division. I doubt we'll get anywhere near top-half though as some were predicting prior to the season's opening.

What do you think of Barnsley's business in the transfer market this summer? I see you signed Dale Jennings - I saw him play a few years ago (for Tranmere? Sorry not sure) and though young he looked the business - any good? Some good ins and outs. Impressed by Pedersen, scored on his full debut and is a full Norwegian international. M'Voto is the big commanding centre-half we've been missing since Darren Moore left but is prone to a mistake or two. Don't understand the loan signing of the 41yr old GK Mike Pollit, [to cut a v long story short] Luke Steele is/was as good as we'll get at this level imo and was an excellent shot stopper. The rest of our signings haven't really played so it's difficult to pass judgement. I think we did well to retain our squad from last year - that's been our biggest success this summer. Jennings (yes, played for Tranmere) looked impressive in pre-season but got sent off just 6 minutes in to his debut. Not great.

Who do we have to look out for and why? If you can stop Chris O'Grady holding the ball up, you'll stop Barnsley.

 

Actually you're right I accept.

I used to spend a bit of time in Barnsley and have a couple of you lot as mates - from talking to both of them they always seem of the mindset that Barnsley are doing well competing in this league and the first priority is staying up - which is why I automatically phrased it like that; I was wrong to assume everyone thought like that and who knows? This is a close league and every team is just about in a relegation scrap or pushing for at least an outside chance of promotion, who knows maybe you could be attacking the top half this season?

I wasn't being snobbish, poorly chosen English. I meant no offence it was just plain speaking sorry.

 

Tha reyt, we're w*nk, you worded it spot on. In answer to your question l think we'll just stay up, due to having gash teams like Donny, Millwall & Wednesday in our League.

 

Firstly, how highly is Flitcroft rated by your fans? As an outsider looking in I think he did a great job last season, especially how he improved your record against teams high in the division. Can he push on this year? I rate him very highly, I think he is still learning but I have no doubt he is still the right man for us. I am confident that we will push on and finish in mid table this season.

What system are you likely to play away at Forest? I was surprised to see Blackburn stick 5 past you - I've not seen that game yet, what went wrong tactically? I think we'll play a 3-5-2 against you. Blackburn was just a bad day at the office. The first twenty minutes we did ok then we had one of the worst twenty five minutes I've seen in a long time. Second half we improved significantly but the damage was done. Too many players just fell apart and had nightmares.

Last game you did a great job in not allowing us the space we needed I seem to remember - I knew this would be the case from watching you beforehand and wasn't surprised that we didn't win. What were your memories of the game? I only listened to the away game last season so I'm not qualified to comment.

Think you'll stay up? Definitely.

What do you think of Barnsley's business in the transfer market this summer? I see you signed Dale Jennings - I saw him play a few years ago (for Tranmere? Sorry not sure) and though young he looked the business - any good? I think we have been very shrewed in the transfer market this season, in terms of incomings and outgoings.

Who do we have to look out for and why? If O'Grady has a good game he can be a real problem.