Sheffield Wednesday – 1
Nottingham Forest – 1

Having had a sneaky bet on this game being a draw I find myself perhaps not too downhearted!  Indeed, having seen another game where Forest have created enough chances to win and have once again been confounded by a deflected effort, it is a bit frustrating in the obvious ways – but there are plenty of positives to draw.  That seems to be the tack Billy Davies is taking (although he called it an own goal!) and I agree with him.

There is always a certain chill when you look at the roadsign near the away end at Hillsborough.  There is for me anyway.  Leppings Lane it says – one of the most infamous names in English football.  Despite those momentary realisations and reflections, Hillsborough is a fine old ground.  One of my very favourites – and given Forest’s bungled plans to move to Clifton, Holme Pierrepont, Gotham, Gamston, it brings into sharp relief the difference between a ‘proper ground’ and a hideous flatpack arena.

A few surprises in the starting line up – Joel Lynch returning to left back and Lewis McGugan on the bench (along with Kelvin Wilson who we expected to see there).  Wes, Luke, Gunter and Camp make up the remainder of the defensive team.  Anderson and Garner were on the wings, McKenna in the middle and Cohen moving to partner him there to cover for the mysteriously absent Majewski.  Nathan Tyson absent apparently attending his wife who has just given birth.  Dex and McGoldrick were the strike partnership of choice.

So, the game.  It started with excitement for me – Anderson burst forward free of any attendant defenders (or so it appeared from the away end), I had him in the coach sweepstake you see.  He unselfishly squared to Garner whose shot was well saved by Grant.  Bugger.  However mere moments later Anderson again crossed in, and Blackstock rose unchallenged to head into the ‘net.  Get in!  This naturally got the impressive travelling Red Army in good voice.  Arguably Dex missed his easiest chance shortly after – more good work from Anderson pulled the ball back for the Forest striker but he somehow contrived to shoot wide from a mere six yards.

Their goal came after we increasingly sat deep (and were time wasting, frustratingly.  In the first half!).  After a bout of frantic ‘defending’ the ball fell to Tudgay.  He hit powerfully goalward, but also mostly Campward.  Unfortunately Wes Morgan was en route, he had been making somewhat of a habit of putting in heroic blocks and tackles – unfortunately this one just grazed him enough to take the ball well off course and leave Camp completely flat-footed and the home side level.  1-1.

At half time we were greeted by the chance to have a bit of mutual appreciation from all four sides of the ground for Nigel Jemson and Des Walker – the latter seeming particularly taken with the Forest fans who unleashed an almighty bellow of “You’ll Never Beat Des Walker!” at him.  Wednesday don’t seem to bother with half time scores either, which was a bit annoying – as was their scoreboard which said Notts Forest on it.

The second half was less entertaining.  McCleary and Anderson were okay on the wings but in the centre of midfield McKenna and Cohen were doing a good impression of two blokes who’ve never seen a game of football before.  This meant most of our good play came from the wide players (often cutting in) whereas Wednesday were – as they had been most of the game – content to lob semi long-balls over our defence to try to create chances.

Combine this scrappy play with the most whistle-happy and bamboozlingly incompetent referee, and you have a game which probably left both sets of supporters frustrated.  We created some decent opportunities – certainly more so than the home side – the highlight of which was Anderson’s long range effort which was well saved by Grant.  The game came to a close with an inexplicable freekick to Sheffield Wednesday which was hit over by Potter.

A decent enough game – although the control and passing in midfield was alarmingly bad at times from Forest, but the workrate and desire wasn’t questionable.  We certainly made enough chances to win this, but on balance of play perhaps a draw was a fair outcome.  Certainly my Betfair account would agree with that sentiment!

Player ratings:

Lee Camp – 6 – had a few tasks and did them well, showed good concentration.  Was tempted to mark him down for his timewasting antics.  Couldn’t really be blamed for the goal.

Chris Gunter – 6 – a steady and solid game, capped off with a blistering last minute run which could have created some danger for us.

Wes Morgan – 7 – unfortunate in that it was his weak clearance that lead to a goal which would also deflect off him, but that aside he put himself infront of everything and anything.

Luke Chambers – 6 – started well and solid, looked increasingly shaky towards the end – but continues to impress at centreback.

Joel Lynch – 6 – if you give him time to think then it seems to be a bad thing, but despite often looking like Bambi on Ice, Joel did okay today.

Joe Garner – 6 – perhaps should have scored early doors after great work from Anderson.  Yet another booking forced Billy to remove him at half time – clearly already developing a reputation amongst referees which isn’t a good thing.

Paul McKenna – 5 – can’t fault his workrate, and good to see him playing the captain’s role, but his use of the ball today was criminal at times.  Hopefully just an off day because normally he doesn’t do that.

Chris Cohen – 5 – similarly a workhorselike performance – but terrible control and use of the ball.  Forgivable perhaps given his deviation into defence of late, but coupled with McKenna left us rather under par in central midfield.

Paul Anderson – 8 – a cracking game, created everything dangerous for us and showed real end product which he hasn’t always done in a Forest shirt.  Impressive performance, unlucky not to score at the end.

David McGoldrick – 7 – McGoldrick deceives to flatter – but he works his arse off and is an intelligent reader of the game.  I was sceptical of his transfer fee, he is winning me over.

Dexter Blackstock – 7 – He works so hard, but he really should have made more of some of the chances that came his way despite scoring.

Subs: McCleary – 6.  Adebola – 6. McGugan – 6.