Due to an enforced later than usual holiday, this was my first game of the season and following on from the reports I got of Saturday’s great performance, but unfortunate defeat, I was in great spirits going into this game.

King Billy opted for a changed forward line from Saturday with Adebola and Garner replaced by Dexter and Earnie. McGugan started at the expense of Majewski.

Forest lost the toss and attacked the Trent End first. I (and I suppose most other Forest Fans) hate it when that happens. Forest started the brighter and it was obvious that Watford’s game plan was to defend deeply and hit Forest on the counter. Forest were lucky not to concede after about 15 minutes when from one such counter a Watford player headed over what looked like an open goal from about 10 yards out. A warning to Forest that was not heeded.

Around the 20 minute mark, McGugan collided with the keeper and stayed down. I’m quite used to McGugan being a bit mardy with knocks, so wasn’t too worried at first, but as he was stretchered off it may well be a serious knock. Let’s hope not, although I have to admit I’m not his biggest fan. Majewski was his replacement.

Watford scored on the 20 minute mark with almost a carbon copy of the warning they gave 10 minutes earlier. Forests defensive frailties were exposed as former sheep Smith crossed in for Danny Graham to nod in at the far post. It’s hard to blame one individual for this goal. Cohen & Lynch should never have let Smith nip in to cross the ball from the byline. Morgan shouldn’t have let Graham beat him to the header, and Camp should have either claimed the cross or attempted to make a save from the header. Very poor from Forest.

For the next 15 minutes or so, the game went rather flat with Watford being niggly and showing their intent to waste as much time as possible and Forest being very poor and incohesive. Forest looked like they might have a chance as Earnshaw latched onto a chipped McKenna through ball and tried to take it between 2 Watford Defenders. What looked like a Watford player handballing in the box was given against Earnshaw much to the derision of the Forest Fans.

A few minutes later came the incident that was to galvanise Forest and kick start a fight back. Once again McKenna chipped a through ball to Earnie that was looking to beat Watfords last man Willaimson & put Earnie in with a one-on-one with the keeper. Williamson blatantly stuck out his hand and stopped the ball going past him. Unfortunately the only people in the City Ground not to see were the officials and Forest were cheated out of either a goal opportunity or having a player advantage (as Williamson would have to have been red carded). Complete incompetence by the Referee & his assistant.

The sense of injustice spurred on Forest and the crowd. Forests renewed purpose and pressure finally paid off when Cohen & McKenna combind to find Dexter in a position where he could fire a ball past Loach to equalise. Good work by Dexter as it wasn’t an easy ball to control. Reward for Forest for playing some balls to feet rather than hopeful punts. Forest continued to pile on the presure with Earnie being sent clear but put his left footed shot into the side netting. As the half time whistle blew Forest went in to a standing ovation.

Feeling bouyed by the finishing flurry of the first half, the Forest fans expectancy for the second half was raised. Forest looked more purposeful but very disjointed with misplaced passes and misunderstandings. Watford looked like they were playing for a point with much time wasting, feigning injury and commiting niggly fouls on and off the ball. Forest looked to be getting more & more riled by this with Gunter in particular looking to have lost his cool on occasions. During this period, the largely ineffective Anderson was replaced by McGoldrick.

With about 15 minutes to go Adebola came on to replace Blackstock who was struggling to win anything aerially with Watfords Williamson. Adebola’s first job was to mark Willaimson for a Watford free kick, but failed to do this properly as Williamson was quickest to react from a Watford header hitting the post and bundled the ball past Camp. 2-1 Watford.

Forest immediate response to going behind again was to launch the ball forward for Adebola to get on the end of. Adebola won a header on the edge of the box but Williamson went down clutching his head. The cynic in me assumes that this was just more timewasting and gamesmanship by Watford although to be fair I couldn’t see properly from my Trent End seat. The Watford fans started chanting “Off. Off. Off” and I was worried we may be reduced to 10 men. Fortunately the referee only gave Adebola the yellow card.

With Adebola’s introduction, Forest did start to look like they may get something from the hopeful punts forward, but it was from a Watford counter to one such attack that Smith placed a shot from the edge of the area that surprisingly beat Camp to extend Watfords lead to 3-1. Forest were shocked by this and it took a while for them to respond. It was from some good build up play involving Cohen & Majewski that allowed McGoldrick to play a deft ball through to allow Adebola to slot home his first in the Garibaldi. Another well worked and well taken goal.

Although still occasionally scrappy, Forest were pushing to get back on level terms. Majewski, although looking tired, was showing lots of trickery & creativity but the final ball was lacking. Watford were still trying to turn defence into quick attack, but Lynch & Morgan looked to be coping with this until in the dying minutes of normal time, an unlucky ricochet off Cohen (I think) left the defence exposed. Wes was caught in 2 minds whether to attack the ball or not and Watfords Cleverly slammed the ball into the top corner of the net giving Camp no chance. 4-2 Watford & game over.

5 Minutes of injury time gave Forest some hope but there was no way Watford were going to let 2 goals slip although Earnshaw had a chance that he should have tested the keeper with rather than getting his own feet tangled and scuffing well wide from inside the area.

In summary. A poor game by Forest. When playing the ball to feet we looked promising, but that was too rare an event when going forwards. It is notable that both our goals came from this sort of endeavour though.  The forward line of Blackstock & Earnie that served so well last season were nullified by Watford and it was no surprise that Davies changed it – although I’m surprised that he kept Earnie on for the full 90 as he was largely poor. I was impressed with Majewski although he doesn’t look fully fit. I also noticed that most of the Forest players looked absolutely knackered getting towards full time where Watfords didn’t. I know psychologically they will be more tired, but surely not to that extent?

Player Ratings

Camp – 5. Should have done better for at least 2 of their goals. Made some mistakes that fortunately weren’t punished.

Cohen – 6. Not a full back and it shows. Made an impact when he got forward, but was rarely allowed to do this.

Gunter – 4. Very poor. Lacked composure. Made mistakes and allowed himself to be wound up.

Lynch – 6. Generally did OK, but needs an experienced head alongside him. Morgan isn’t that head.

Morgan – 5. Allowed himself to be beaten for the first goal and hesitated to allow them the 4th. Like Lynch, he plays better with an experienced player alongside him.

Tyson – 7. For effort only. Always running and trying. Played as an out & out winger, which if given the ball in space can provide vital crosses. Often though he wasn’t allowed the space & his one trick was quickly nullified by Watford

Anderson – 5. Showed pace but no end result to it. Replaced by McGoldrick

McGugan – 5. Typical McGugan showing. Complicated the simple. Got in other players way. I hope his injury isn’t serious, but perhaps a spell on the sidelines will allow him to watch how McKenna & Majewski play and learn from them.

McKenna- 6. Was impressed with his passing and general use of the ball. I thought he should have maintained his cool in the first half when he lost the plot. He lost the opportunity to influence the game.

Blackstock – 7. Well taken goal. Tried tirelessly even though he got beat in the air every time.

Earnshaw- 5. I think 5 is being kind. A very poor game from Earnie. Perhaps that penalty miss has really rocked his confidence?

Subs:

Majewski- 7. Best player for me. Showed creativity & running. With improved fitness & developing better understanding with his team mates, he will be a star.

McGoldrick – 6. Did nothing until he put the ball through for Adebola to score. Another player that fares better in a ball playing team.

Adebola – 6. Well taken goal. Made a difference when he came on, but at fault for their 2nd goal.

Billy Davies – 5. Got the tactics and personnel wrong. Don’t know why he changed the side & formation from Saturday. Despite the defensive issues, we have the personnel that will thrive on free flowing football to feet – so why the ball was lumped towards Blackstock & Earnshaws heads at every opportunity is known only to King Billy.

Officials – 3. For their failure to stamp out the niggly cynical stuff and not spotting the most blatant handball I’ve ever seen. At 1-0 down playing against 10 men would have been a completely different match. (Doesn’t excuse Forests inadequacy though!)