Nottingham Forest slipped to a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Birmingham City in an abject display from Martin O’Neill’s men.
Yohan Benalouane capped a miserable afternoon in stoppage time with a red card; his handball on the line allowed Che Adams to put the seal on a comfortable home win.
It is now two defeats in three games for O’Neill with his honeymoon period firmly over.
Following an afternoon of frustration and despair for the Reds, Seat Pitch ran the rule over the Forest performance.
Costel Pantilimon – 5
A fairly average performance from the stopper. He didn’t have too much to do other than turning a low effort round the post diving to his right. Pantilimon still has a knack of not using his presence when crosses enter the Forest box.
Saidy Janko – 6
A quiet afternoon for the Forest right-back. Did make some decent runs with the ball down to the byline but had no real end product.
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Yohan Benalouane – 6
Made some decent challenges. Let himself down giving the penalty away at the end although he was left with little option but he does look to be a decent signing for the Reds.
Alexander Milosevic – 6
Not an easy place to make your debut but the Swede did okay. Plays the game simple and looks composed in possession; a steady maiden performance.
Jack Robinson – 5
Not his best performance. Easily beaten on occasions and lost possession on numerous occasions.
Adlene Guedioura – 5
Lots of running with little substance. Had a few long-range efforts when better options were available. Kept looking for the million dollar pass instead of the simple five-yard one.
Ben Watson – 5
After the highs of last week, this was more of the Watson that showed his age is catching up with him. Slows the game down and on this showing, it makes a mockery of Claudio Yacob being sat on the bench.
Matty Cash – 5
A real off day for Cash who was, at times, a passenger for the Reds. Didn’t see much of the ball on a frustrating afternoon.
Joe Lolley – 6
Tried to get Forest going with a few mazy runs. Hit the post with an effort in the first half which was the closest the Reds came. Didn’t play to Forest’s strengths.
Ben Osborn – 6
Nothing out of the ordinary from Osborn on an afternoon where he ran around a lot but was excruciatingly wasteful in possession.
Daryl Murphy – 5
Failed to win anything in the air and was the slowest player on the pitch. Cast a forlorn figure in attack as he fed off scraps.
Substitutions
Lewis Grabban (Milosevic 60′) – 6
Made a slight difference when he came on. Chased every lost ball. Made runs in behind the defence. Gave the Reds that bit of pace we lacked in the first hour.
Leo Bonatini (Murphy 60′) – 6
Looked tidy. Had a good chance towards the end to level it but his effort was deflected for a corner when the fans thought he scored. Looking forward to seeing more of the Brazilian.
Joao Carvalho (Guedioura 72′) – 7 – SEAT PITCH STAR MAN.
The fans were signing Carvalho’s name 10 minutes into the game and when he came on he changed the game instantly. Makes Forest tick and in five minutes he did more than anyone did in the previous 70. Must start in the next game. The best player Forest have by some distance.
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