Home form un-Holted!!

Forest recorded another convincing home victory to keep their play-off hopes alive in front of a City Ground crowd of 17,807.


With Megson having boosted his squad with the signings of Bennett and Holt he decided to give them both debuts as he shuffled his pack and began with an attacking 4-3-3 formation to start the game.


New boy Holt made a good first impression with his ability to hold the ball up and bring the supporting Commons and Tyson into the game, combined with his work rate he gave an impressive first appearance in a Forest shirt.


Forest started brightly and the change in personnel and formation seemed to work as the movement from the forwards put the Latics on the back foot.


Despite dominating possession Forest failed to create any real clear cut opportunities until Holt marked his debut heading in at the far post from Commons perfect dead ball cross.



Forest went in one up at half time, the nearest they had come to extending the lead was a Tyson diving header from a Holt centre. Despite only leading by the one Forest were certainly the happier side as Oldham could only muster one first half chance that was easily saved by Gerrard right at the end of the first half.

Forest had looked impressive without creating too much, the Defence had been solid the Midfield both combative and supportive and the front three bright and lively.



The second half started with Forest reverting back to a 4-4-2 set up with Commons back on the left wing, Southall right and a front two of Holt and Tyson.


However this seemed to give Oldham a second wind and they pushed forward taking more of the possession and playing some nice football but lacking anything in the final third.


It had seemed an interesting tactic by Megson but it could be interpreted as seeing how the pace of Tyson could be combined by the target man play of Holt.



But it could all have turned out so different as Forest were pushed back and Oldham seemed to grow in confidence.They started to take a foot hold in the game at the start of the second half and beagn to keep possession better forcing Forest back for the opening fifteen second half minutes.


It all changed again however as almost simultaneously Killen chested down and half volleyed just wide and the 1300 travelling Latics fans really burst into voice sensing a comeback.


Ironically this stirred both Forest and their fans as both responded accordingly. The City Ground came alive as the home fans began to turn up the volume and get behind the players, they were rewarded instantly with two goals in the space of four minutes to wrap the game up.


Tyson and Holt in the final half hour began to look a partnership with huge potential, particularly in the 62nd minute as a through ball from Holt sent Tyson in on goal. Tyson clean through down Athletics right side drilled the ball into the far corner from 15 yards to double Forests advantage.


It took only another 4 minutes for Forest to put the seal on the victory as Southall slotted into an empty net following Commons blast from the edge of the area that was only parried into the six yard by Oldham stopper Chris Day.



Forest’s spell had put the game to beyond Ronnie Moore’s side and you could sense if they had needed another goal there were extra gears kept in reserve. Megson sensed this and brought on Lester, Holt and Bastians in the closing stages. Bastians in particular can be pleased to be involved in the first team picture so soon after recovering from injury, his confidence can only have been boosted from the fact Megson obviously rates him highly even though he had only made one reserve appearance since returning from injury.

Holt made way for Lester for the last five minutes and recieved a standing ovation from the home fans who could see the potential for Holt and Tyson to become an excellent combination and fire Forest up the table.



So another impressive home victory for Forest and everything looks rosy, Tyson and Holt obviously will take all the headlines but all over the pitch Forest did well.


Gerrard had little to do as Bennett looked solid at left back and Thompson much improved after switching to a more preffered right back role looked comfortable and was also able to support the midfield.


The midfield three did well up and down the pitch all afternoon, providing cover for the defence and support for the attack. All round it was a good display for Forest in what hopefully is a new dawn.



Having said all that Forest have the best home record in the league and it could be back to square one all over again if they fail to come home with anything from Brentford on Tuesday.


With all the renewed optimism following Megsons January signings so far the promotion charge could be halted by a continuation of Forest’s appalling away form.

Megson still has plenty of irons in the fire with regard to potential new signings and the priority was and still must be the creative force Forest have been lacking in Midfield. With the Clingan deal possibly faltering and another target Stock joining Preston for £150,000 we must hope Megson can still identify and attract the right player to Nottingham.


With Forest looking slighlty adrift of the play-offs they must now look to put a run together and if Megson can combine the right players and tactics particularly away from home there is no reason they cannot be in the shake up come the end of the season.



We await Tuesday night and if Forest approach the game in the manner they did today this just could be the start of the promotion push.