I knew something was badly wrong with McKenna when he limped off the field after just seven minutes and was replaced with Lewis McGugan. I didn't even see him get injured, and the fact that he was able to walk didn't suggest that he could be sidelined for a lengthy spell. Even though he had been playing not that well recently and Billy Davies had expressed a desire to rest him, it was still better to have a below-par McKenna in midfield than no McKenna at all.
Forest already had injury problems before kick-off as both Kelvin Wilson and Rob Earnshaw picked up training injuries on Friday. This meant a rare chance for Chambers to come into the side alongside Wes Morgan. I wasn't too unhappy about that as Chambers had done well earlier in the season in this position. But if we forget the fact that he scored the all-important match winner, he didn't exactly give Davies a good reason to give him an extended run in the team as he looked quite sloppy at times. This was probably down to rustiness more than anything as we've seen him play a lot better, but if Wilson is fit for the next game at Preston at the weekend, I think he'll be straight back in the side. It also highlights a need for us to sign another quality centre half, because although we have a very good defensive record this season, suddenly with Wilson's injury, the defence is looking rather flimsy. It's not exactly a good foundation to mount a promotion challenge upon. There are only 11 games left and it would be a shame if we were to fall just short because of our lack of squad depth, which could easily be sorted out with one or two astute loan signings.
At least we have signed a left winger anyway. The signing of George Boyd from Peterborough is a very inspiring one. They called him the 'White Pele' down at London Road, which is probably exaggerating his worth just a bit, but they insist he is the best player who has ever graced the turf at Peterborough. But then again it isn't particularly difficult to stand out at that Club! I thought he had a pretty good debut but he didn't see an awful lot of the ball. When he did get it, he looked quite impressive. I think he will turn out to be a big asset for us, and hopefully he will do enough to earn himself a permanent move in the summer. A fee has already been agreed between the two Clubs, and judging by his interviews he is delighted to be here. Middlesbrough were also interested in signing him, but our position in the table obviously proved more attractive.
It was important that with Swansea just behind us in fourth place, that they didn't beat us, because if they did they would have closed the gap to just two points with a game in hand. They were denied a penalty when Chris Cohen, who was playing at left back, brought down Darren Pratley, but fortunately for Forest the referee failed to spot it, and we got away with it. The way the game was going, I was more than happy to settle for a point and wasn't even thinking about us snatching a winner at the end. I was just counting down the time on my watch and hoping the referee would blow his whistle. I think it was nearly five o'clock when Chambers headed the winner unmarked at the far post. The game must have kicked off late because we did a minute's applause for Macclesfield Town manager Keith Alexander, who sadly died suddenly earlier in the week. I really like the idea of applauding rather than being silent. I think life should be celebrated no matter how short or long.
1 comment:
As a Posh fan i disagree that Boyd is the 'best' player ever to don the shirt.
In recent times it would be Jimmy Bullard, or a bit further back David Seaman.
Both rather better than most Forest players of the last twenty years.
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