Have Nottingham Forest been found out over recent weeks? A chink has certainly appeared in the armour.
Across the last four games, which have delivered only two points, a running theme has appeared.
Not within the Reds’ ranks, but in that of the opposition.
Rivals appear to think that Forest have a bit of a soft underbelly.
That, to coin an old phrase, they don’t like it up ‘em!
Results would suggest that second tier foes may have a point.
In the aforementioned fixtures, Forest have come up against teams fielding an archetypal ‘big man’.
Cardiff led their line with Gary Madine.
Millwall drafted in Matt Smith for a physical battle at The Den.
Source
With Britt Assombalonga ruled out, Middlesbrough went with Ashley Fletcher up top while Sheffield Wednesday started with Jordan Rhodes and Steven Fletcher.
And we know how that went!
Both of the Owls’ frontmen were on the scoresheet before half-time on Saturday, with Rhodes netting a hat-trick.
All four of the efforts which found their way past Brice Samba came from a similar source.
Forest were unable to deal with high balls – crosses, corners and general lumps forward.
Which is rather concerning given that height and passion are qualities that should be found in abundance at the back.
Michael Dawson and Joe Worrall are neither short nor shrinking violets.
If the ball is there to be won, they will go and win it.
There was, however, a very distinct parting of the Red Sea against Wednesday.
Men were not being picked up, lines weren’t cleared and it all became a bit of a mess.
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The Owls were able to take the blueprint laid out by others to the extreme.
Which rather begs the question: What do we do now?
More of the same is likely to be coming Forest’s way when they head to Huddersfield this weekend.
Karlan Grant, with 12 goals to his name this season, can be expected to make the Terriers’s starting XI.
He is another who likes a battle – be that aerially or on the ground.
Danny Cowley will also have the 6ft 3in Steve Mounie up his sleeve – a man once worth £11.5 million (per the Daily Mail).
How will Forest contend with those obvious threats?
You would hope that Lamouchi has a plan up his sleeve.
The same could be said for recent outings, though, and getting the basics right has been a problem.
An all too familiar winter snap is biting hard once again, with it now up to those charged with the task of delivering positive results – on and off the field – to come up with a solution.
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