Feeble Forest Felled

Words such as awful, lacklustre or dreadful could be used to describe tonight’s performance from The Reds’. Personally i would say disgraceful as the side failed in every department tonight. It may sound like sour grapes, but Oldham didn’t exactly play Forest off the park, although they did deserve the points, it was not a vintage performance by either side. Fair play to The Latics, they scored two decent goals and deservedly took the spoils.

Forest could have gone a goal up early on, when a curling shot from Harris went narrowly wide. Grant Holt also had a long range shot go just over the bar. But that was about it, in what was a shocking first 45mins from The Reds. Forest quite simply couldn’t string two passes together. The Reds’ best effort of the game came four mins from the break when a powerful effort from Southall was well saved by Pogliacomi.

The first goal of the game came from a McDonald shot. Smith was unable to clear and it was left to Porter for an easy tap in. Once again we had a ref that refused to endear himself to the City Ground faithful, as he made a series of bewildering decisions, that in all honesty benefited neither side. The Latics went two up on the stroke of half time. A good cross from Charlton beat the Forest defence and Porter was once again on hand to head home.

If ever a half time roasting was needed, then it would have been delivered tonight. Colin Calderwood made one change at the break, bringing on Junior Agogo for Jack Lester. Forest played with three up front, but were unable to get the ball to them. It was a scrappy affair, with Oldham seemingly happy to contain Forest. The Reds’ boss tried to shake things up with the introduction of Thompson for Gary Holt on 66 mins, but to no avail. A series of half chances fell to Oldham, with Forests’ only real contribution being a series of misplaced passes and lack of cohesion.

Scott Dobie made his first appearance of the season on 77 mins, after his long layoff. He came on to generous applause from the crowd, but was unable to alter the outcome of the game. Even six mins of added time couldn’t raise the players. All in all a sorry night for Forest.

Make no mistake Oldham deserved the points, but this was against a Forest side that put in as bad a performance as any seen under the previous incumbent. If nothing else, this should act as a warning shot to The Reds’ and show that they can’t just pull on a Red shirt and assume they are going to win. You have to put in at least some effort.

Nottm Forest: Smith, Gary Holt (Thompson 68), Morgan, Breckin, Bennett, Southall, Clingan, Harris (Dobie 75), Perch, Lester (Agogo 45), Grant Holt.
Subs Not Used: Padula, Pedersen.

Booked: Lester, Grant Holt.

Oldham: Pogliacomi, Charlton, Haining, Stam, Eardley, Wellens, Porter, McDonald (Rocastle 82), Edwards (Taylor 87), Liddell, Warne (Garebian 81).
Subs Not Used: Knight, Trotman.

Booked: Porter.

Goals: Porter 29, 45.

Att: 17,446

Ref: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).