Heartbreak At Brentford For Reds

Despite a phenomenal win earlier in the week over now 8th place Brighton, Nottingham Forest faced a humbling defeat at the hands of Brentford, after two goals just before the blowing of the whistle – a disappointing end to a majoritively decent game for the away side, who originally took the lead just before the half-time whistle.

The Starting XI:

After the win, Cooper was left with little choice in regards to the starting eleven, as despite taking a knock on Wednesday night, Moussa Niakhate makes his return to the team, alongside Joe Worrall, who switched places with Serge Aurier (RCB for Brighton game), as Neco Williams is ruled out for the season with a fractured jaw injury.

From what I had perceived when I had seen the starting lineup at 2pm, Nottingham Forest looked as though they were lining up, once again, with a 5-2-1-2, a changed back five, same midfield, and same top-two as started on Wednesday – a strong tactic which has worked seemingly well in the last two games, with Forest benefitting from a strong midfield, and extra personnel in the defensive quarter.

The system chosen left little to be complained about, and with numerous players on-form, it was expected that it could be one to get points – but, a late collapse shattered all hopes of this.

First Half:

The first half didn’t warrant all that much action – Brentford, while controlling most of the possession, failed to make any of the few chances they had pay-off, while Forest on the other hand came close on a few occasions – and finally struck gold when Danilo netted his second goal in two games, an excellent feat for the Brazilian youngster.

Just as Peter Bankes prepares to blow the whistle for half time, after a minute added on, one of Moussa Niakhate’s now-famous throwing’s are launched into the penalty area, before a failed Brentford clearance attempt is met by Gibbs-White, who’s shot is deflected into the feet of Danilo who, with power, scores once more – his second goal for Nottingham Forest, and once again a goal to take Forest into the lead for the second game in a row. (0-1).

Second Half:

Much like the first half of the game, both sides had their moments in both counter-attack, and sitting back, but both sides failed to do much more than that, until the last moments of the game.

Earlier into the second half, a Renan Lodi free-kick is headed into the abyss, before falling down-to-ground, or almost that, before Senegalese international, Niakhate, acrobatically kicks it over his head, all while still on the floor – despite the decent action, David Raya was able to save it fairly comfortably.

Soon after this, Brentford’s Ben Mee decides he too wants to join the club of acrobatics, as he strikes a bouncing ball on the penalty area in the form of a bicycle kick, but the beauty of the positioning and power didn’t quite translate to the trajectory of the strike, as the ball flies over the crossbar.

Nottingham Forest made two changes, as Brennan Johnson was taken off the field by medics, and Andre Ayew replaced Taiwo Awoniyi – both substitutions coming in between the 50th and 60th minutes of the second half.

However, the Bees did soon make chances pay, and not in the spectacular fashion they could have, as an Ivan Toney free-kick is hit through a gap in the wall, before Navas gets a finger to it, only to rebound it back in off the inside-right post. A poor wall is the key reason for conceding, as Cheikhou Kouyate opts to jump rightwards, and create space between the defensive barrier. An incredibly late equaliser. (1-1).

Just moments later, Forest almost found themselves in the danger zone again, as substitute Frank Onyeka attempted to place a well-hit strike in the bottom right corner of Navas’ goal, before the Cuban international just managed to palm it away.

Then, on the fourth minute of extra time, the yellows (away shirts) concede once more, and all hope is lost of even a point, as Josh Dasilva, who scored in the last fixture against Nottingham Forest, bags the winner – all three points taken by the Bees from the helm of the Trees, in the most disappointing fashion. A failed save from Navas after a cut in from the left leads to a low-hit shot into, once again, the bottom-right hand corner. (2-1).

Steve Cooper’s post-match thoughts:

Unlike most week’s, where we receive a briefing from the manager of Forest about the result, Steve Cooper’s main concern was the Brentford winner, which, according to him, left his side “fuming” following the VAR decision:

“I haven’t seen anybody, because there’s nothing we can change today. The only thing I think is I really hope the decision they made was based on real fact and not an assumption and a judgement call.

“We’re waiting to see that image. If it’s onside, it’s onside and you have to accept it. But it’s something we’re waiting to see.

“I’m not saying it’s offside or onside, that’s the last thing I’m saying. What I am saying is we really need to know how they’ve made the call and the image they’ve made it from. I really hope, at this stage of the game and at this stage of the season, they just didn’t make a call when they’re under pressure to make assumptions.

“The guys are fuming over it. If it’s onside, you accept it and it is what it is. But I am still waiting to see that absolute clear cut image to go, ‘OK’. I’m still waiting for it. I just want to see the one they’ve seen, because you can’t make a decision like that on judgement and assumption and thinking, it’s got to be an absolute matter of fact.

“What they have said is if he was deemed to be in an offside position, he would have been given an offside. It’s not a matter of where he was, it’s a matter of whether he’s onside or offside. They are saying he’s onside. If it is, it is. Maybe we don’t see all the images they’ve seen, but I’m still yet to see the one they made the call on.

“It’s a massive call, in the time of the season. If it’s onside it’s onside and you accept it, but I just want to see that image.”

A quite clearly frustrated Steve Cooper, who delivers a scathing view on the VAR decision which rules Josh Dasilva’s goal onside, as Ryan Yates’ toe kept him on – incredibly fine margins, but a decision that is made, and will not change.

My Post-match thoughts:

Of course, after a huge win against a side that, on the same weekend, beat Wolves 6-0 in a Premier League thriller, Forest fans were hoping to take at least a point from Brentford, a brilliant way to end the week it would have been, but, complete capitulation in the closing minutes created heartbreak for the many travelling fans, and those watching/listening on the various services available.

All round, it was a decent performance from Cooper’s side, keeping Brentford at bay for the first half, and large majority of the first half, with stars such as Ivan Toney not getting a ‘sniff’ at the ball, and most breakthroughs being neutralised on the edge of the Forest box. Taiwo Awoniyi’s physical presence proved a real nightmare for Ben Mee and Ethan Pinnock – once again showcasing his ability to hold the ball up and make some dangerous attacks, strangely though, taken off in the opening 15 minutes of the second-half, and replaced by Andre Ayew. I felt that Taiwo’s presence was missed in the remaining time of the fixture, perhaps to keep the play a bit more positive. The final stages lacked a talisman in the attack, especially with Brennan Johnson coming off also.

The substitution was met with various reactions, many of them worrying that Ayew might not add the firepower and quality needed to get Forest another goal, and secure points – while on the latter, Steve Cooper has a player he trusts, and opts to choose him as first choice to replace Taiwo. Sam Surridge third choice, and without minutes.

It was most certainly a frustrating afternoon, as Forest looked as though they could actually carry over good form, and take some much needed points to aid their survival efforts, but mistakes cost them, which made it that much more frustrating – knowing they were so close to achieving, but coming short at the final hurdle: extra time.

Finding positives in a loss is always tough, especially with hours of travelling time and emotions flowing, but despite the late goals, it was a positive showing – Danilo coming off in the latter stages, and leaving the side with 10-men, was a real shame, but I felt that for the most part, Forest showed desire and hunger to win, but just couldn’t stop the slip-ups. Danilo getting another goal was great to see, he’s become an integral cog in the Nottingham Forest machine.

Through all the sadness involved with this result, one thing shone, and that was the fans – out singing the Bees fans all game, and shouting the roof off at the GTech, a fantastic fanbase.

Unfortunately though, a poor way to end an incredibly positive week – but now, a big break before what could be described as a ‘cup final’, in regard to the fixture’s importance, against bottom of the table Southampton, at the City Ground.

Player Ratings:

While not overly harsh, I didn’t feel I could name a Man of the Match, but do feel there is ratings to be given, and still some plaudits:

Navas – 5 – unfortunately one of his poorer games, as a badly-arranged wall, and a mistake at the end leads to two goals.

Lodi – 6 – felt that Lodi worked quite well down the left, making some good balls to the attack, decent showing.

Niakhate – 6.5 – a pretty good game for him today, lots of good clearances and tackles, while also getting a shot on target of his own.

Felipe – 7 – another consistent showing from him, an excellent professional who knows how to manage a defence, a good game for him despite the loss.

Worrall – 7 – despite his side losing, I also felt Joe Worrall played really well, and broke down lots of attacks.

Aurier – 7 – fitting into a wing-back role didn’t particularly phase Serge, as a good defensive performance, topped off by winning the majority of the headers he contested, earns him a 6.5 rating.

Mangala – 6.5 – an okay showing from the Belgian international, moved play up the field quite well.

Danilo – 7 – a goal again for the youngster, and some good chances created in the process.

Gibbs-White – 6.5 – got on the counter-attacks on a few occasions, and provided some decent service to those in-front, a decent game.

Johnson – 6 – some good runs with the ball, working on the counter.

Awoniyi – 6.5 – thought Taiwo put in a good shift, and was a bit hard done by being taken off early into the first half.

Ayew – 6 – while getting on the counter attack on a few occasions,didn’t get much further than the 18-yard box.

*Other substitutions not rated due to lack of gametime*

Looking ahead: Southampton (h) Mon 8th May 2023 (20:00)

Likely the biggest game of the season, as Nottingham Forest find themselves battling for an all-important three points, alongside relegation rivals Southampton, of which Forest fans will hope their side can beat, and place the Reds in a position outside of the relegation zone – any fan, I’m sure, would stop the clock on 17th place in a heartbeat.

Even with a prestigious win against Brighton, and an okay showing against Brentford, Forest cannot afford to be complacent, and while Southampton remain at the bottom of the league, and most likely to be relegated, there is still a huge ninety minutes of football to be played, and Forest must battle to the highest degree in order to take the three points home.

A battle awaits, and a small break splits the fixture, Steve Cooper will be hoping his men can do the business, and give the Reds some hope as the Premier League enters its final fixtures – it is not over yet, the fight goes on.

The ball lies in Forest’s court, the ability is present, and the atmosphere electric – now they must beat Southampton. 12 points to fight for, it is still possible, the dream of Premier League survival still possible.

Thank you for reading this review from the Nottingham Forest vs Brentford game, as written by Jamie Martin.

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