Billy Davies' decision to revert to the 4-5-1 formation that had been so successful during our long unbeaten spell away seemed to work wonders as we looked much more like the side that looked a good bet for automatic promotion a few months ago. We defended brilliantly, particularly James Perch at right back, who put in one fantastic challenge after another. Lee Camp was also once again in fine form as Forest did everything they could to stop Newcastle from scoring. At least we managed to last until half time having not conceded a goal, which has been a rare occurrence for visiting opposition to St James' Park this season.
Forest have often been guilty of only showing up in one half, but they were just as good after the break and they continued to frustrate the Magpies. We clearly hadn't come for a point, either, as we looked very threatening on the counter attack and played some good passing football. Our finishing was very poor, though, and I don't remember us seriously testing the Newcastle goalkeeper once. The closest we came was when a below-par Dexter Blackstock badly mis-hit a shot in the first half.
Newcastle finally took the lead when substitute Shola Ameobi, who had replaced the injured Andy Caroll, who Forest probably were glad to see the back of, given his recent red hot goalscoring spell, scored a goal which would not look out of place in the Premiership. It had come just after Radoslaw Majewski had lost possession of the ball in midfield, but Forest could have no arguments about the quality of Ameobi's finish.
I don't know whether it was a coincidence, but as soon as Davies made his first substitution, bringing on Gareth McCleary for Nathan Tyson, Newcastle scored. It seems to have happened a lot this season. We make a change, then the opposition score. It seems to unsettle us. It's true Tyson had to go off sooner or later because he was struggling with a slight injury, but Davies seems to be obsessed with bringing on three substitutes every game no matter what. I can only think of one match this season where only two substitutes were used, and that was only because it was injury time and we ran out of time. I could see Dele Adebola ready to come on. I can imagine that Davies felt rather annoyed that his pattern had been ruined! I was none too impressed with his changes last night. All McCleary did was give away silly free kicks, and I really didn't see the point of swapping Blackstock for David McGoldrick. Rob Earnshaw's record of two goals away from home all season didn't exactly fill me with much confidence, either.
These three substitutions really sucked the life out of us, instead of making us fresh. We may as well have stuck with the same eleven players, even if they were at risk of tiring themselves out. Newcastle had no need to worry when four minutes of injury time were declared as Forest had long given up the ghost. A second goal in the first minute of stoppage time made absolutely certain of the points, and almost certainly Newcastle's Premiership place next season. As for Forest, if we are to join them, barring a massive reversal of fortune in our away form and West Brom's results over the next six games, we'll have to do it the hard way through the play-offs.
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