Thomas Jefferson, author of the declaration of independance and third president of the United States of America once wrote, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” However, yesterday at the City Ground, Forest fans and players alike were left scratching their heads after a noticeably hard working, and good quality performance left them ‘unluckily’ with no points from a game that they deserved three.

The first half was hardly the free flowing feast of football that one might have expected with the arrival of much lauded passing side West Brom. Whilst such gracious football was at a premium, it was Forest delivering, with West Brom seemingly only content to pass on the ground to fellow defenders and then hopelessly chip it forward. Having said this, for the first time in years I saw a Forest team genuinely pressing and scrapping, led by the utterly fantastic Paul Mckenna.

Nathan Tyson had an early shot from outside the box after good work from Adebola but the visitors had the closest chance of the early stages after a wonderful, curling, Chris Brunt free kick forced an inspired save from Lee Camp diving toward the top left corner of his goal.  Perhaps the best chance of the first half fell to Dele Adebola who seemed to be criticised in the stands, whilst having an effective game. Nathan Tyson beat his man on the left wing, not for the first or last time in the game, and picked out Anderson, who’s shot was blocked. As the ball fell to Adebola he slipped and couldn’t guide it into the more or less empty net.

As the half grew on, West Brom’s inadequacies grew and Forest’s confidence with it. The reds looked a good, solid unit and passed the ball nicely with Majewski playing Garner in, only for the ball to cascade into the side netting.

Shortly after half time cheers erupted from the City Ground’s home support, with Dele Adebola finally putting the ball into West Brom’s goal to break the deadlock – many of us however had already seen the linesmans flag and hadn’t bothered to celebrate – the goal chalked out after some typically over zealous, but admirably competitive,  pushing from 1 million pound striker, Joe Garner.

Now here’s when the first, worrying, piece of bad luck for Forest’s season took hold. Following a good free kick, typically, from Jonathan Greening, the heartbeat of the Baggies’ side, an unlucky bounce left the ball in the back of the net, having diverted off Wes Morgan’s foot past the helpless defence and keeper. West Brom celebrated like it was a stunner, and so they should, but the goal didn’t change their approach to the game, and they continued to be outshone by a decent Forest performance.

After a let off for Forest when the abject Graeme Dorrans again missed the target, Forest may have felt luck was turning for them and set about finding an equalizer. A few minutes later, it seemed that the moment had come. Mckenna produced a stinging shot from all of 30 yards that the utterly unimpressive Carson once again failed to handle, and the bustling Adebola couldn’t quite finish into the once again mostly empty net.

Again Forest came close after further good work from Tyson on the left wing when substitute Dexter Blackstocks good shot fizzed wide of Carson’s post.

Surely, the bad luck must come to an end when another substitute, the lively Robert Earnshaw won a penalty after sprinting between two defenders into the Albion box. Unfortunately it seems that some choice words from Carson in Earnie’s ear and an arrogant run up left the ball sliding past the wrong side of the post.

After all, it was not to be Forest’s day, but Davies’ playing staff can reflect on a well fought, quality performance only really lacking an element of ruthlessness. Oh, and of course that old mistress, lady luck.

Player ratings

Camp – 7 – Didn’t have his busiest day, but carried out his role perfectly
Gunter – 6 – Not a bad performance, and looked composed on the ground, if a little vulnerable in the air.
Cohen – 6 – Ideally not a left back, but typically showed that he will do a job wherever put.
Morgan – 6 - Solid as usual, excellent blocks, and unfortunate for the own goal.
Lynch – 7 – Surprised many with a composed performance and always wanted the ball
Anderson – 6 – Had the beating of his man on a couple of occasions, but a fairly quiet performance
Majewski – 6 – Not the best we have seen of this talented starlet, but hints of potential brilliance.
Mckenna – 8 – STAR MAN – dominated midfield, wouldn’t shut up, and we look such a better side with him in it.
Tyson – 8 – Very good performance, gave their right back hell, but still needs to work on some of his crossing.
Garner – 7 – Seems to flourish in the number 10 role and there were signs of real promise there.
Adebola – 7- Whilst maligned by many, Adebola put in a good performance not letting defenders rest and creating space.

Earnshaw – 6- Looked lively, and won a penalty. Not easily forgiven for the arrogance with which he took it though.
Blackstock  – 7- Probably should have started on this basis. Lively and caused problems for West Brom
Mcgugan -6- An average performance, some good touches, but still seems a little lazy.