lost that loving feeling - Forest 1 Blackpool 1

Optimism is not a word that has often been used to describe the supporters’ feelings towards Forest in recent seasons, far too often they have seen listless performances resulting in little entertainment and, more often than not, defeat. But what a difference a week makes. Following two wins out of the last three, and a good point at the league leaders, the fans would have been forgiven for feeling that tonight’s game with Blackpool was a home banker. What a difference 90 minutes make.

A turgid affair, with very little in the way of what could be termed ‘football’, was played out to an increasingly frustrated crowd on Trentside. Blackpool came with a plan, stuck to it doggedly, and almost went back up to the illuminations with a victory.

Forest had started brightly, getting the ball onto the floor and passing it around well. A couple of chances fell to Jack Lester, although he would have done extremely well to have scored either, before the Reds should have taken the lead. Kris Commons went on a jinking run down the left, to the touchline, before crossing onto David Frio’s head. Unfortunately David Johnson had also anticipated the cross. It wasn’t clear who got the final touch but the header thumped against the crossbar, when it should have hit the net.

Blackpool were offering very little and it appeared only a matter of time before Forest took the lead. But the goal never came and it was the away side, with their very first shot, who scored. A well-placed free-kick from Keigan Parker found its way around the wall, low and into the scrambling Russell Hoult’s net. The wall looked to be at fault but there was no time for recrimations as Forest went straight back onto the attack. Commons managed to screw a guilt-edged chance wide, hitting the outside of the post when it looked easier to score.

From then on in to the half-time interval Forest huffed and puffed but the excellent organisation of the Blackpool side, along with some horrendous refereeing decisions, conspired to keep the score at 1-0. Boos rang around the ground, harsh considering Forest were unfortunate to go in a goal down.

The second half began and immediately settled into a pattern of dreadful long-balls and head tennis between the two sides. Forest, unable to pass because Blackpool were getting tight to each player, resorted to lumping hopeful balls up to David Johnson, who was offside on far too many occasions. Frustrations from the crowd transmitted onto the pitch and it all looked a bit too familiar to earlier games the Reds had lost at home. Smash and grab raids from away sides who would make no attempt to play any football.

The ineffective Frio was replaced by Bopp, who tried to get the ball down and play but was restricted to making sideways passes by the opposition. There looked to be no way back into the game for Forest. Credit to them that they did salvage a point, courtesy of an Ian Breckin header from a corner with 10 minutes remaining.

This Forest side no longer gives up. And it was relief all round the ground that greeted the equaliser. Unfortunately the game then petered out into a shambles after Blackpool played for time and Forest looked ragged.

So, all in all, a disappointing evening. Forest looked tired and became frustrated in their build-up play far too easily, resorting to long, hopeful punts up the field all too regularly. The players showed character to fight their way back into the game having not been allowed to play by a very well drilled Blackpool side, who were delighted leave the City Ground with a point. But a bit more composure was what was needed.

The Reds are now unbeaten in four and into the top-half of the league. But Tranmere on Saturday is a game they need to win to continue the push up the table. Otherwise all the good work of the three previous games will have gone to waste. A dreadful game, but at least they didn’t lose.