We have a word with Vital Forest ahead of the weekend’s match
Ahead of tomorrow`s game at the City Ground, we caught up with Our Kids Dad over at Vital Forest. We speak about their inconsistency, Zach Clough, Matt Mills, and who to watch out for.
How would you judge your season so far, and do you think is there a reason why you haven’t drawn a game?
Consistently inconsistent, often playing some fantastic football but with an overly generous defence, prone to concede at least one per game. Most rational-minded Forest fans are happy, given that we only stayed up (last season) on goal difference, but there is much work to do with regard to clearing up the messes left by the previous owner.
With regard to not drawing a game, I’d say that’s because we are primarily attack minded and set on playing it out from the back, so if we go a goal down – we often get undone on the counterattack, so are then more likely to lose by more than one.
We don’t tend to keep clean sheets either, so that first goal is crucial for Forest.
How is Zach Clough getting on at Forest, and is Matt Mills still there?
Just three starts and seven sub appearances, with no goals this season for Zach. Unfortunately, our loanee from Everton (Kieran Dowell) is ahead of him on merit, so the manager’s stance is that, whilst he possesses undoubted quality, he has to be patient and ensure he takes his chance when it comes along.
Matt Mills is still here, another largely having to make do with a seat on the bench – but given our defensive woes in recent weeks, it would not be a shock to see him involved.
What should we expect from you tomorrow?
Forest are not a physical side (understatement), they do try to play fast incisive passing football, perhaps where they shouldn’t and tend to enjoy lots of possession. That ethos will not change, so it could be an open game if Bolton allow that.
Neil Warnock’s Cardiff frustrated and time wasted from five minutes in, their physicality showed and they have a direct style of play that we could not deal with – so, it’d probably be your set up that will determine how the game pans out as a footballing spectacle.
Who is your player we should look out for tomorrow?
Hard to say, personnel changes are highly likely after two successive defeats.
Jamie Ward has barely kicked a ball, Mustapha Carayol tends to come off the bench as an impact sub and Zach Clough will be frustrated at his lack of involvement.
Barry McKay is an exciting tricky winger, Dowell is another attack minded No.10 and Daryl Murphy is the warhorse upfront – but no doubt it’s our defensive clangers that will interest you most.
Score prediction?
Heart says home win, but I think tomorrow is a decent punt for 1-1…. again, depends how you set up.