I suspect Tomlin will be left out and Dowell given another chance. Not sure who will take Lichaj's place. Whoever it is may be up against Mo Barrow, so it could be crucial.Rest of the team should be as was.

Lolley was lively before he was sacrificed so hope he gets 90 minutes.

I would expect to see darikwa at rb and osbourn at lb. would also like to see lolly given a full 90 mins . We’ve only got B.B. up front so should be a 4-5-1 again

Pants
Darikwa Toby Fox Osborn

Watson Colback
Cash Dowell Lolley
Brereton

Assuming the Post is right and joining Lichaj are Mancienne, Murphy and Vellios. Who are potentially absent through illness. Worrall will also be out (knee).

AK surprises me each week and if the Post is right, then he might even start with Fuentes, if fit.

Midfield is covered for the subs bench: Bridcutt. Guedioura, Mckay, Vaughan.

As is the goalie: Kapino or Smith

Problem is the defence and up front. Could be a chance for Iacovitti or Gomis on the bench.

As much as I like Matty Cash's energy and commitment playing him as a right winger is just a waste of time. The lad has the killer instinct of a toothless lamb!!

Pants
Darikwa, Tobz, Fox, Osborn
Watson (C), Guedioura
McKay, Tomlin, Lolley
Brereton

Delighted with the intro of Watson as captain, he's a leadership figure we've been badly lacking. Think Colback is a tidy player but think I'd opt for Guedioura's physicality in this one. Pressure is beginning to build on young Brereton, he's simply has to start scoring some time if he wants the career his potential hints at, no skill in being a striker who cant score goals, that said I know he's been starved of service but we have to start scoring sometime, surely...

I would want to fit Bridcutt into my midfield if he is fit Len and who is supporting Darikwa, when Reading have possession, Watson?

I would want to fit Bridcutt into my midfield if he is fit Len and who is supporting Darikwa, when Reading have possession, Watson?
__________________________________

Having not scored in 7 of our last 8 I think we need to be a little more adventurous at home if we have ambitions of picking up 3 points. Playing effectively defensive right and left sided midfielders and a solo strikers up front is killing us. We need at least 3 more wins to be safe and Reading should be there for the taking, if we dont win tonight we're in a serious bind. Bridcutt beside Watson is decent call, we're well stocked in midfield for sure.

On the one hand I wouldn't want to make too many unforced changes; on the other Pep in midfield has a good long range shot (1 in 3 anyway). None of our strikers can do it on their own, but I don't think AK will lighten midfield to give whoever plays up front extra support.

Apologies but we haven't scored in 8 of our last 9, thats a frightening stat that needs to end urgently

No goals in 8 out of 9 that's facking disgusting.reminds me of the days under Megson when we had Scott Dobie and Gaz Taylor upfront

I blame Warburton for not replacing Assombalonga, go on defend him.

I blame Warburton for persisting with a set of tactics that didn't suit our players and had been found out by the rest of the division. Traore never bothered with a aerial challenge while defending the far post and Darikwa has poor positional sense, thus not being in the right place to make a tackle, block the cross into the box.

We have neither enough rock solid midfielders who wont lose possession or fast paced aerially dominant centre halves to make that work. Those were his major mistakes imo.

Those weakness's might well have been addressed during the window, but I don't see Karanka as a guy who likes wing backs anyway.

Admins! can we go live?

Live @ https://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/385417
One match ban enabled

comment by Red Forest Bear ( Bear Knows) (U6288)
posted about 3 hours ago
Those weakness's might well have been addressed during the window, but I don't see Karanka as a guy who likes wing backs anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He reckons he was given a target of developing the young players and building the club. The way he recruited and developed the team was all about that target. Not his fault the board sold him down the river. I think he was hard done by but it has happened so often at this club it is no great surprise.

I very much doubt Warburton would not have had Forest this far down in the league without a goal in aeons. Karanka has had everything he wanted and has a lot to prove...

Just back after a long ramble in the Lakes. A pint of Jennings later and I’m beached!

Keep me updated on the Reds this evening. I have a feeling this could be a draw - 1-1. Two teams desperate for points and Forest a few regulars short leaves me suspecting a frustrating evening, I’m afraid...

Plus our back 4 is untested.

comment by Will Scarlet (U17891)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Red Forest Bear ( Bear Knows) (U6288)
posted about 3 hours ago
Those weakness's might well have been addressed during the window, but I don't see Karanka as a guy who likes wing backs anyway.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He reckons he was given a target of developing the young players and building the club. The way he recruited and developed the team was all about that target. Not his fault the board sold him down the river. I think he was hard done by but it has happened so often at this club it is no great surprise.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I suspect that Warburton wasn't sacked , but that he walked of his own volition; think back to the last interview he gave to R.N and how angry he was, he said that a surprise was coming tomorrow and it did.

McParland was sacked for not agreeing a recruitment strategy that met board approval. Did the owner turn up, look at the results and the plan, then tear it up and start again?

TWO CHANGES Forest (4-2-3-1): Pantilimon; Darikwa, Figueiredo, Fox, Osborn; Watson, Colback; Lolley, Tomlin, Dowell; Brereton. Subs: Kapino, Guedioura, Bridcutt, McKay, Cash, Fuentes, Bouchalakis.

Tomlin, Dowell and Lolley? Karanka is looking to try and get this game won early.

They’re going to have to work hard digging out the full backs, though.

comment by Will Scarlet (U17891)
posted 3 minutes ago
Tomlin, Dowell and Lolley? Karanka is looking to try and get this game won early.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Exactly my thoughts! Fullbacks are a concern aren’t they?