From Vegas To Millwall

THEY THINK IT`S ALL OVER??.

?..it is now. I suppose it had to happen, Neil Harris who could not hit a barn door when we paid his wages manages to get to a header and score what turned out to be the winning goal for his ‘home` club. Yes I was annoyed that he scored, but what bugged me more than that is the way he managed to get a free header between Wes Morgan and Ian Breckin. Yeah OK, we failed to capitalise on Bristol City`s draw, yeah, we did not beat a team who were there for the taking and oh yeah I will pack Commo`s bags; more of that later.

Colin made a change at right back, bringing in Wes to play in the middle and moving Chambers to right back replacing the solid if not spectacular John Curtis. Chambers is a very good defender, but he looked distinctly uncomfortable at right back today, his clearances were not to his usual standard and it was plain to see that he prefers being in the middle. The enforced change in midfield saw the return of Prutton in for the injured McGugan.

I was not too unhappy at half time, the 0-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the play – both sides had good spells but neither deserved to be leading despite some good chances – Gary Holt obviously left his striking boots at home after being closer to the corner flag than a goal with a side foot effort from the edge of the box. The second half was more of the same, save the free header to the ex-Forest player. Colin made the much needed changes on the hour with Tyson replacing the ineffective and increasingly frustrating Lester and Bennett replacing Wright who did not have his best game. Tyson went close, Brecks went up front and Grant worked his socks off trying to get the levelling goal. Alas it was not to be and I left The New Den unhappy and let down because we deserved something out of the game and yet again left with nowt.

Millwall did play some attractive football and have a couple of stand-out players, Ryan Smith who is a lively winger who has a stack of pace and the kind of skill that makes defenders think before tackling and Dave Brammer who seems to be the conduit through which all that is good about Millwall`s play seems to flow. Oh and as much as I hate to admit it, Harris did to us today exactly what he did when he played for us – caused confusion in the box and created opportunities for others.

I was not happy with the Forest performance as a team but one player stands out for particular comment. Kris Commons showed today that he is a player of incredible talent, a willingness to go at players and get forward and have a crack at goal. However, his selfishness, and wanna-be hero attitude is hurting the team and for that he has to either stand up and be counted as a team player and realise that footy is a team game and he cannot do everything. Today he managed to smash the ball into row Z from 12 yards – twice, kept the ball on more occasions than I wish to think about, only to lose it when a pass to a team mate would have been the sensible thing to do; something a team player would have done without thinking. Tyson and Gant were both livid with him for losing the ball when unmarked in the penalty area. Kris, you are a talented lad, but if you continue your selfish ways you will hurt the club you are supposed to support and if you do that I will be the first to help you pack your bags and leave the club I love.

Is automatic promotion all over, not yet, but we now have no other option but to win the 5 remaining games and hope, and that is all it is, that Bristol slip up. Possible, yes, probable No. It is the play-offs for Forest and we certainly need to show more determination and team work to progress to a Wembley final and a date with destiny.