Nottingham Forest 2 - 0 Millwall

Another week which has had the tongues wagging. From England's functional if uninspiring performance against Switzerland where the highlight was JJ's goal to get England's goal account under Capello off the mark; to Kevin Keegan's fortunes at Newcastle appearing to follow a similar plight to those of Northern Rock; and media coverage of how the 50th anniversary of Munich should be observed. Personally, I'm all for the occasion being given sensitive landmark treatment, but the media hype over it all has turned it into a complete circus and I'm now sick to the back teeth of it. Talking of circuses, the idea of Premiership matches being played overseas is a complete no-brainer, especially for all clubs outside the so-called big four (and if Mr Wenger likes it so much maybe his non-British Premiership side will really feel at home! Did Mr Scudamore ever stop and consider the impact it would have on the life-blood of all other clubs, i.e. their fans?

Meanwhile, at local level there's been reports of unrest and murmurs of fan protests in the local press, not that I saw much evidence of it today, although yet again we were subjected to a dull and non-productive opening period of football, looking like both sides could play until next month without scoring a goal. The fans didn't like it and made their feelings known at the half-time whistle, the pundits on local radio didn't like it much either and were quick to express their displeasure. The players - those who were interviewed at least - were big enough to admit it wasn't that good, which just leaves Mr Calderwood who tries to big it up, telling us fans we should be patient.

Er, hello! But if atonement for last Saturday's gutless display against The Cherries was something of a priority today, then most if not all us paying fans would expect action to that effect to begin at 3pm instead of an hour later which seems to be a recurring theme these days. So, why the expression of surprise at the loud booing on the stroke of half time, Colin?

So then (and not for the first time either), since the first half - riddled with poor passing by Forest with Millwall unable to capitalise on it - was virtually nothing to write home about, I'll just go straight to the second half. No surprises that much of the attention was focussed on the department most in need of a boost which finally materialised in the loan signing of Will Hoskins. And he didn't disappoint either, having made his presence felt almost immediately after kick-off, courtesy of some good passing by McGugan, and came more into his own during the second half.

By which time however, we'd broken the deadlock thanks to two set pieces. Commons' corner-kicking was way superior to that of McGugan today, not that McGugan didn't play well - far from it. It was these two who were largely responsible for winning the battle of midfield and it was once again only a repeated poor through ball as the main impediment from us scoring from open play.

Something definitely in need of some work, unlike our corners (delivered by Commons at least). The first one came in high and at pace (unlike those during the first half which Lions' keeper Evans plucked out of the air with considerable ease) which found Bennett able to plant a bullet header high into the net, a virtual carbon copy of the goal he scored against The Cobblers pretty much a year ago to the day, and boy was he pleased about it!

And with that opener, Forest proceeded to control the game, and ten minutes later the points were as good as safe when Commons' corner kick found Wes looking to emulate Jules' header for the first goal. It looked on target, but was blocked. The resulting clearance however only went as far as Luke Chambers twelve yards out, and although the six-yard box was still packed with bodies, there was a gap large enough for you to see there was only one place the ball was destined for, and Luke made no mistake.

Pressure off then, and we were treated to some good attacking football, especially down the left with Jules and Hoskins producing crosses out of very tight spots, refusing to give up on lost causes. Hoskins then almost went one better when presented with a chance just on the edge of the box on the right. His well-taken shot was dragged just wide of the far post having beaten Evans and deserved to go in. He then collapsed in a heap with what looked like cramp (sporting of Evans to come out to help - nice touch, that) and although he was up again shortly after, he was soon replaced (off to deserved loud applause and standing ovation) by Grant Holt who, having been the one to forfeit his starting berth for Hoskins, was no doubt anxious to make a positive contribution, which he did in the short time he was on the pitch, and was close to being presented with a chance on the break when a through ball looked close to finding him. It was, however another slightly over hit pass which Evans just managed to intercept.

Equally anxious to make their mark was Arron Davies, on for McGugan (who also departed to a deserved standing ovation) and James Perch (on for Kris Commons). Davies proceeded to stretch the Millwall defence still further with one or two darting runs whilst Perch continued to merely make up the numbers. Difficult to see quite what the future holds for Perch, especially given the limited opportunity to excel at what many consider to be his natural position at Right Back. Granted he has matured considerably from the seemingly physically lightweight figure he cut on his first team debut at the JJB nearly four years ago, but that progress has definitely stalled in recent times, and competition for places has evidently worked against him.

Elsewhere, it was business as usual with Kelvin Wilson (complete with Captain's armband) and Wes revelling in a solid display at the back, making it a less than happy return to City Ground for Neil Harris who merely hopped from one defender's pocket to another all afternoon, and echoing the same frustrations as when he used to wear a red shirt. That said, I thought it was grossly unfair of sections of the crowd to boo him off when replaced by Grabban with over 20 minutes still to play. And who's to say that had we held on to him until the end of last season our lack of firepower situation might not have been so critical at the time it mattered the most?

So two-nil it finished, could have been four or five, but still a comfortable yet unspectacular win. However we all know that poor sides rarely turn up merely to make up the numbers, and Forest at least showed Millwall due respect (maybe a little too much during the first half) before calmly dismantling them. Still, it makes you wonder what causes this mental block that makes us incapable of beating teams (and Millwall are arguably the poorest side we've seen here so far this season) on their own turf?



Of course this Tuesday there can be no margin for error, no matter how out of form Leeds appear to be lately. But we'll never get a better chance to exploit their predicament than we have now, as well as avenge our sole home defeat this season. Win, and we can hold our heads up and put Doncaster under pressure (even Swansea showed they're not entirely out of sight by the way they tamely blew a two-goal lead at Crewe today). Anything else though, and it's us who are under pressure and the sound of knives being sharpened will be back with a vengeance, there's little doubt about that. And it is not just the manager who's under fire here, even if chants of 'Calderwood out' could be heard from the Trent End Lower during the first half today

Today's result, combined with some promising looking reinforcement up front managed to keep that situation with all its implications at bay. Which is just as well since Grant Holt faces suspension next week having picked up a fifth yellow card and the timing of Junior Agogo's return to first team action still uncertain. Talk about cutting it fine - what would have happened had Hoskins not arrived?

Well, the cavalry's shown up. Now let's see the boys start applying a more positive mentality on our travels as well as at home. And from kick-off time instead of one hour later!

Ref Watch: Clive Oliver - He's been pretty good to us this season, and today was no exception. Didn't let Millwall get away with much, hence the high number of yellow cards shown.

Entertainment Value: The game of two halves - with the first period making for a passable cure for insomnia, followed by an entertaining 45 in which Forest controlled with ease. 6/10

Atmosphere: The only thing to break the silence for long periods was the Millwall fans chanting their tedious symphony on one note which eventually stirred the home fans into a response. The tables were turned once Forest took the lead, however.

Highlights: Once in control we ran the Lions' defence ragged; solid defending to leave Smudge with virtually nothing to do all afternoon.

Lowlights: Too many poorly weighted passes either forcing mistakes by the intended target, or costing us more than one or two good goal scoring chances; the fans' exasperation eventually found a voice before half time with chants of 'Four Four Two' being heard..

Stinker: Sammy - again! Simply disappeared.

Stormer: Julian Bennett for his typical show of 110% effort; good debut performance by Hoskins; McGugan and Commons also excelled today.