Tonight?s games featured Nottingham Forests second string entertained Sheffield United at the City Ground. This was the first time the reserves had played at the city ground since they have found their new home for reserve football at Burton. The weather was bad as it was bitterly cold which clearly affected the attendance as this was poor turn out for the reds but there were the normal hardcore fans that turn out to watch i.e. The crazy family who sit at the front of the Main stand shouting at the referee with about 5 children and family of their sons who were playing for each side.
The game kicked off late tonight by around 5 minutes probably because Geoff Horsfield was still making his arrangement for the pub after the game as he could be seen talking to his Father and his friends.
With Sheffield United clearly having the stronger side out on paper fielding such players as new signing from Preston Chris Lucketti, Keith Gillespie. Simon Francis, Phil Barnes, Gary Flitcroft and Geoff Horsfield it was always going to be a tough game for the Reds young guns.
The game was poor tonight with Forest creating very little in the way of clear cut chances with only soft long ranges going wide of Phil Barnes goal or shots which went well wide. This was disappointing to watch as I was expecting more from the likes of Evans and Friio but also young players such as Bastian, Mullarkey and Jon-Paul Pittman.
The Blades pulled Forest apart for the first goal in which cleaver work from Geoff Horsfield resulted in him playing in a nice pass for youngster Jordon Robertson to score. (19 mins)
United got a second after (39 mins) with the ex Leicester city man Keith Gillespie crossing a ball for un-marked Jordon Robertson to score his second of the game.
Gary Flitcroft scored a well worked goal from some nice passing moves which cut the Reds defence apart. (42 mins)
United got a forth just before half-time when Captain Ryan Handbury fouled Martin Donnelly from behind in which he should have been sent off. Jordon Robertson scored the peno given him a hat-trick to remember.
The only highlight of the second half was when the players were waiting for the referee and his merry men to around to commence the Second-half.
Forest were no better in the Second half in which they provided very little going forward and managed only 1 corner in the second-half in which Felix Bastian?s wasted.
Injuries appeared to kick in the second half as Forest subbed Jon-Paul Pittman for Ben Fairclough and Vincent Fernandez for Thomas Sharpe.
With Tonight?s showing I would say the future looks very bad in terms on youngster be able to break into the team. On the showing of Tonight along I would not be sadden to see any of the following leave during the summer. Ryan Handbury, Paul Evans, Justyn Roberts, Andrew Rigby, David Friio, Jon-Paul Pittman, Sam Mullarkey and Felix Bastians.
With decision not being based on a game I would say the only real players in the squad tonight which could have a future would be Joseph Health (but must improve attacking), Felix Bastians (because I know he can play better) and Jon-Paul Pittman (shows signs of promise but not over the full 90 mins)
Player Ratings
Paddy Gamble
Can’t really fault him for any of the goals but it was clear that he had lost heart after the second goal went in.
Ryan Handbury
Ryan was playing out of his usually centre back position in right back but was named as Captain. Did very little during the game and I can only recall him making one good tackle.
Joseph Heath
Not his best game tonight but made some strong headers. I feel the club has realised his potential now and have decided to go with him ahead of Martin Vickerton who was no better the Gregor Robertson. He needs to get forward a lot more for a full back.
Paul Evans
The cries for Evans for first team should stop after tonight?s game. His passing was poor as he rarely found a player with his passes and there was no hard man tackling mode in which we were used to tonight.
Vincent Fernandez
He was probably Forest MOTM tonight as he had to keep hold of Geoff Horsfield in which he did well but was not given much support from his full backs. Good in the air and likes to hit long Dawson like passes to the strikers.
Justyn Roberts
Average tonight struggled when marking Jordon Robertson and appears to be not making the grade in which it was believed he would. Is a good header of the ball but for someone of his size he seems to weak.
Andrew Rigby
How the hell this lad became a footballer i will never know. He has no pace to beat players which hinded his role as he was playing on the right hand side of midfield. He was very weak when tacking and his passing was poor often hitting balls into spaces where we didn?t have players, very poor tonight.
David Friio
It was a waste of time Forest playing him. All he did was walk through the game and was happy not to break into a sweat. He was not keen to help the players around him by calling for the ball and made no direct runs with the ball as he would stop and just pass side ways. He must be moved out of the club in the summer.
Jon-Paul Pittman
He made one nice turn early on which led to a good run on goal only resulting in a weak shot which their keeper saved well. After that he received no through balls or passes to feet from the midfielders.
Sam Mullarkey
Another player who was very poor tonight, very small in height which didn’t help as he was being marked by big Chris Lucketti and barely won a ball in the air all night. Improved a little in the second half as he tired to run at their defence but could only manage tame shoots on goal.
Felix Bastians
On tonight?s showing I would never play him again. His passing was poor and he made no crosses tonight for the strikers. I can see another Eugen Bopp on our hands. I hope I will be proved wrong but he hasn’t impressed me over the last few weeks.
Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes came on early into the first half to replace the dier David Friio who had walked through the first 30 minutes. Did very little in terms of going forward.
Ben Fairclough
The lad looks about 12 years old but was given very little time to make an impact as he come on for Jon-Paul Pittman who seem to be carrying a slight knock.
Came on with very little time left of the normal 90 mins to replace the injured Vincent Fernandez.
Manager Rating
John Pemberton seemed very quite in his Technical area. There was very little in the way of encouragement for his team which were playing very poorly.
Side note
Matt Glass who was not involved in the game appeared to be an arrogant t**t in which he refused to sign an autograph for a young child of around 10 year. He should be ashamed of himself as he hasn’t made it in the game yes but it also reflects badly on the club. I’d be happy for him to be released tomorrow. The players should remember that the young boy who asked for an autograph is the future fan of tomorrow. I could understand if he was busy but can find no words to support him on this.
