Robbed blind 30/12/04 | by TrickyMatt

Wes Morgan, the defensive colossus, stood motionless halfway inside the Forest half. With most of his team-mates nearing the tunnel, he cast a lonely figure in front of 5,000 jubilant Sunderland supporters. Along with several of his team-mates, neither Wes, nor Forest, deserved to be on the losing side on a day when the importance of finishing was illustrated in the cruellest of ways.

Forest did indeed score once, and what a cracker is what at that. Andy Reid’s lofted short from outside the box was a true gem. At the time I thought he had miss-hit it as the ball took an age to fall from the sky and into the net. Having seen the replay on the television, it was a beautifully weighted side footed strike.

Reid’s goal aside, how Forest didn’t score another four I’ll never know. Johnson and Taylor missed astonishingly easy chances, adding to Neil Harris’ failure to convert not one, but two one-on-ones with the Sunderland goalkeeper. I’ve seen sitters missed before, we all have, but it’s been a while since I have seen so many in one game. 

In a radio interview before the game, Reid talked of the need to bring players in who are better than what we have. On this showing Neil Harris doesn’t seem to fit the bill. Before his well-documented illness, Harris was a prolific marksman for Millwall as they climbed out of the old Division Two, old old Division Three, and into the... you get the picture!

Unfortunately, Harris has failed to rediscover that form since and while he looks a committed, intelligent player, it’s goals we need more than ever and against Sunderland he just didn’t look like getting them. Of course, I hope he bags loads of goals in the run in which helps keeps us up. However, I just cannot see it happening.

A word must be made regarding our defence which has been chopped and changed on a regular basis this season through a combination of injuries and bizarre managerial decisions (see Derby away). I believe that if we keep the “academy” back four together on a regular basis then we could have a decent foundation for the remaining games of the season. All four were outstanding against Sunderland and long may it continue.

Another newcomer to the team has been Nottingham-born, Shaun Derry, who followed up an impressive debut at Upton Park with a solid all-round performance against Sunderland. He seemed to have the tackling capabilities of Paul “Barry” Evans whilst being able to play a bit when he had it. Derry looks like a player in the mould Reid was talking about.

If Forest continue to miss chances then the outcome is simple – we will be relegated, as I overheard a concerned father tell his enquiring son after the game. Defend as resolutely, treat every game as if it is against a promotion chasing outfit, and bloody well finish our dinners, then we will climb clear. Boys, it is over to you.