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After weeks of publicity about
what might happen off the pitch, what actually happened on it
predictably failed to live up to the hype. It was a game similar
to the last meeting at Millwall's New Den: both sides had few
chances in an open but overall poor game, except this time Forest
didn't have Stern John to net the goals. Unfortunately Millwall
were just as good at taking opportunities as that last match.
The kick-off was delayed for a minute's silence to mark the death
of Princess Margaret earlier in the day which was observed
respectfully by a measly 16,000* people. That's not to say that
everyone else in the ground didn't observe the mark of respect,
they simply did not exist.
Considering Forest normally pull in gates of around 20,000
people, especially for matches against the division's top teams,
it was obvious that the pre-match warnings of violence by
visiting supporters had put an awful lot off coming. The 12-noon
kick-off time didn't help, nor did the fact that you couldn't get
a drink anywhere in West Bridgford, even inside the ground.
This was a pity as a couple of pints might have improve the way I
viewed the game. That said, the first half was dire stuff,
sobering enough to dry up the most seasoned alcoholic. Despite
early chances, the partnership of Marlon Harewood and Gary Jones
didn't look like it would repeat last Saturday's feat of two
goals. Good chances simply weren't being created.
The midfield looked lacklustre. Nicky Summerbee didn't look half
the player he did before Christmas and Millwall sussed him out
far too easily, working out early on that if they forced him out
wide every time he received the ball that he wouldn't have the
pace to cut inside and he was thus rendered useless.
Forest's only source of creativity was Andy Reid who seemed to be
involved in every attack in some way or another throughout the
game. He came close in the first half with a brilliantly struck
shot from 30 yards out. He caught the ball with the outside of
his left boot, curling it towards the top left corner of the
goal, but the keeper was able to tip it over at the last second.
Unfortunately, if this had gone in, it would have only been an
equaliser as Forest had already gifted their guests with an easy
goal to Paul Ifill. Riccy Scimeca gave the ball away in his own
half which shouldn't have been a problem had the two covering
defenders behind him not parted like the Red Sea allowing the
Millwall midfielder to charge past them leaving Darren Ward's
goal exposed for a simple finish.
As for Millwall's second, I had got so bored of the rubbish in
front of me (not to mention the fact that I was starving my arse
off - who's bright idea was it to have a game at lunch time?), I
had disappeared to get a pie. This was what the official site had
to say about it:
Five minutes before half time Millwall had another chance but Ward tipped Cahill’s shot over for a corner. And it was from the corner that Millwall got their second goal when an unmarked Cahill headed in from the far post.
So I didn't miss much then.
Thankfully, half-time shortly followed sparing us all more pain.
It was small mercy that Forest were marginally better after the
break. No doubt this improvement was the result of a good
rollocking by Paul Hart. However, it was hardly enough to warrant
hopes of a fight back.
In fact, the first half was so poor that Forest managing more
than 5 passes without giving it away, or actually getting the
ball to one of the forwards inside the box would have
been vast improvement.
It would be flattering to say that Forest achieved little more
than the above in their vain attempts to get back into the match.
At least they were now creating chances, if only from the hard
work of Reid who had his best game in a Forest shirt since his
debut 15 months prior.
But no matter how many chances the Reds made for themselves,
Millwall were equal to them. Warner had a fantastic game in goal
for the Lions. You would have needed two hands to count the
number of times Marlon Harewood found himself through on goal,
only to be denied by the brave keeper diving at his feet.
On one of these occasions his bravery nearly got him carried off,
taking what looked like a head injury. But unlike the win over
Stockport, the tactic of injuring the goalie out of the game
didn't work for poor old Marlon.
He did get his own back in some form though. You could just
picture the 'Disaster' headlines as he placed the ball on the
spot to take the penalty kick awarded for the handball by Sean
Dyche. Every Forest fan must have been thinking the worse as he
ran up, but the lad didn't seemed phased, sending the keeper the
wrong way and calmly slotting the ball into the right hand side
of the goal.
After the City Ground breathed one huge sigh of relief, Forest
had about 5 minutes to rescue a point that they didn't deserve.
Needless to say, they didn't get it, despite coming close from
the head of sub Lester.
A slightly better second half wasn't enough to make this a good
performance from the Reds. It's one thing the fans being too
scared by their counterparts to turn up or, for those that did,
sing their support for the team. It is another for the players
being too scared to play. I can see why Millwall are doing so
well. They are a good team, and they dealt Forest a lesson in
taking chances.
They could have added to their score in the second half, forcing
good saves from Darren Ward. But they knew they had the game won.
I hope they go up. Not because they deserved it on this
performance - when Forest play this badly anyone can look like
promotion contenders - but simply because we wont have to play
them again. There is no excuse for them to be able to take over
our city and make the game so unappealing for fans that we end up
with a literally half empty ground. I'm not trying to excuse the
performance of Forest today because they do not deserve it, but I
am sure that had this been a regular game with a decent crowd,
confidence and support would have been reflected by the players
and we could have made a game of it. Or at least we could have
drowned our sorrows in the pub afterwards.
by Alex Walker
* Although the official attendance was listed as 18,511, they always count season ticket holders on the gates, regardless of whether or not they attended. I suspect, in fact I know, that many season ticket holders decided not to attend the match thanks to the scaremongering surrounding the game, which, by the way, went by with very little violence afterwards.
Player Ratings
Darren Ward - 7
Made a couple of good saves and generally coped quite well given
the blustery conditions.
John
Thompson - 6
Had a tough time dealing with a Milwall side that were very
dangerous coming forwards and let his inexperience show at times.
Jim
Brennan -
6
Didn’t really get to grips with the game especially early on
when his control and passing was poor. Improved later on but
never really got the chance to attack and produce the quality
which he has done down the left hand side this season.
Riccy Scimeca - 7
Once again he was a touch of class in the center of defence for
Forest throughout the majority of the game although he and Hjelde
had a tough time with Sadlier and Harris and were perhaps partly
to blame for the two goals, in which the marking was poor.
Jon Olav Hjelde -7
Another defender who was given a run for his money. Had a good
physical battle with Neil Harris especially and he did well in
dealing with him, particularly in the second half.
David
Prutton - 7
Battled away in the centre of the park but didn’t have an
easy time against a Milwall side that were very hard working and
good physically. Tackled back, drove forward and passed to his
usual high standards but was just overran slightly by a
determined Milwall midfield.
Andy
Reid - 8
Was my man of the match. He worked very hard, chased players down
and provided Forest with some much needed width on the left hand
side. When he had the ball he was a real bag of tricks and
wasn’t afraid to shoot as he bought out some good saves from
the Milwall keeper Tony Warner.
Nicky
Summerbee (67) - 6
Showed his ability in flashes and put a couple of good deliveries
into the box but was limited in what he could do as he came up
against a resolute Milwall back line.
Gareth
Williams - 7
Received a lot of the ball as Forest tried to come back and
impose themselves on the game. Was as comfortable as ever on the
ball and kept it moving around the pitch well.
Gary
Jones (67) - 6
Missed a couple of glorious opportunities from close range.
Although he lacks the fancy footwork and skills he got stuck in
and also got forward to support Marlon well.
Marlon
Harewood - 6
Put in an erratic and frustrating performance up front. At times,
especially in the first half, he was awful but then at times he
was dangerous and caused the Milwall defence problems. Deserved a
goal for the effort he put in and was rewarded with one when he
converted the penalty.
Subs
Brian Cash (67) - 6
Looked a little bit nervous and at times his touch let him down.
Stuck to his task though and settled down somewhat.
Jack
Lester (67) - 6
Was lively and injected a bit more pace into the forest attack.
Managed to settle in and do quite well given the time he had.
Overall - 6.5
Forest suffered greatly from lapses in concentration at the back, which presented Milwall with a two-goal lead. With our scoring record we were never going to turn that deficit around, although as usual we did create a string of chances that we didn’t convert. The defence recovered quite well after the first half mistakes but it was too late by then. The midfield did reasonably well, although didn’t find it easy in the blustery conditions to take control of the ball and the game. Up front Marlon battled on but his form was patchy and he lacked a cutting edge. Overall this was a game in which we didn’t play badly but suffered from costly lapses at the back and a lack of conviction at the other end. I thought that the game was fairly scrappy, relatively even and that Forest deserved a point.
Opposition
It was plain to see why Milwall are amongst the challengers at the top of the table. They were well organised, strong physically, and fairly solid at the back but it wasn’t this that set them apart from a lot of the other teams to visit the City Ground this season. It was their ability going forward. Their wide players were always alert and looked very talented, their midfielders burst into the box and their forwards looked dangerous. They put themselves about a bit, held the ball up and worked very hard as a pair. Perhaps with this sort cutting edge going forward Forest too would be amongst the top teams in the division. Overall Milwall looked strong in every position and should definitely be in and around the top six for the rest of the season.
by Andrew Brookes
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Paul Hart (4-4-2) |
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Ward, Thompson, Hjelde, Scimeca (c), Brennan, Summerbee (Cash 67), Prutton, Jenas, Williams, Jones (Lester ), Harewood (Reid 67) |
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Mark McGhee (4-4-2) |
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Warner,
Lawrence, Ryan, Cahill, Nethercott (c), Ifill, Livermore,
Harris, Sadlier, Kinet (Bull 72), Dyche
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None |
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C H Webster (Shotley Bridge) |
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Man of the Match: Andy Reid |