Counting the cost of bad tactics
05/01/05 | by Paul Severn

Several pundits have tried to pinpoint what has gone wrong with Nottingham Forest. At some stages defending has come under the microscope – particularly from set-pieces – while missed chances have also cost several crucial points. But a major factor in this has been the strange tactics and baffling team selections imposed by both Joe Kinnear and, more recently, Mick Harford.

The sad fact is that all over the park the wrong players have been chosen in the wrong positions. The defence (Paul Gerrard aside) has been leaky for most of the season. Wes Morgan and Michael Dawson are shadows of the players they were in previous seasons, but are too often exposed by sloppiness in front of them. Either side of the centre backs Forest are average: Alan Rogers has been solid at times at left back, but is rarely employed there; Gregor Robertson, despite being a neat footballer, is too weak in the tackle at the moment, easily pushed aside by the burly forwards in the Championship; John Thompson has battled hard at right back, but can’t overlap down the right and therefore offers little going forward.

In midfield, Andy Reid is the sole bright spark, his effort has shone brightly amongst the mediocrity. Paul Evans did a decent job last season sitting in midfield. This season, by being asked to start moves, his limitations have been exposed. Adam Nowland has yet to contribute, while Andy Impey is clearly no longer a top-level player. Surely few people would have persisted with Rogers on the left wing. Rogers has done a job as an attacking full back for a number of clubs but does not have the touch to play in midfield. He lacks the quick feet to keep attacks moving. He made a couple of breaks down the left against Sunderland, but does this from full back in any case.

This brings us to the subject of Kris Commons, who appears to be frozen out. He has a good left foot, clear ability and is a good prospect, yet he can’t get a game over Rogers. Surely the time has come to give Commons a run in the side. A similar situation has happened with Kevin James, who has failed to dislodge Impey, and now has even fallen behind Eugen Bopp, who last season, was being sent out on trial to whoever would take him. While Bopp has contributed recently, the Commons and James situation is simply bemusing.

As for the strikers, the horrific misses against Sunderland indicated that all four senior strikers and severely lacking in confidence. David Johnson has been a strange player at Forest. If he scores, he looks strong, quick and one of the best in the division. Unfortunately this season, the other Johnson has been in evidence too often. A drought causes Johnson to lose his touch, get muscled off the ball and fluff easy chances. He is hardly recognisable from the player who guided us to the play-offs two seasons ago.

Marlon King is another enigma. He has a good shot, has pace, strength and can head a ball, yet can disappoint frequently with poor touches. However, King is perhaps unlucky to have spent so much time on the bench while others have misfired. Gareth Taylor is a traditional centre forward, he varies in effectiveness, but has ruined his season so far with two terrible dismissals. As for Neil Harris, it is perhaps too early to judge, but initial indications are that he is no better than what is already at the club. He has less pace than King, cannot hold up a ball like Taylor, and does not have the goal record of Johnson. It is difficult to see where he fits in. Nobody knows what the best combination of strikers is at the club, but it is obvious that the current pairing of Harris and Taylor will not work, as they will not run past defenders – they are too similar.

Whoever is the manager for the remainder of the season, a new approach is certainly needed. Perhaps an outsider will get a fresh look at the players on offer. There is not a lack of quality at the club, the tactics this season have not made sense. It’s time for a rethink.