The bottom of the table is not the place anybody wants to be, but especially not so this season. Three points is all that separates Burton Albion & Barnsley [now managerless] fourth from bottom.
Perhaps Karanka took a look at the table, especially goals for and against and decided that the current Forest Team was only heading in one direction? And I don't mean forming a Boy Band. Hull have scored more and conceded less goals than Forest. I wouldn't place a bet on both Sunderland and Hull residing in the bottom three come seasons end.
Hull are coming to play for all three points according to their website.
Nigel Adkins has emphasised the importance of every player in his squad as he prepares for a hectic run of games.
The Tigers face a run of five games in the space of 18 days before the end of February, starting with Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest and including Championship clashes with Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Barnsley as well as an FA Cup tie with Chelsea.
Asked whether he was considering making any changes to his side for the weekend, with Harry Wilson and Evandro pushing for starts after impressing from the bench last Saturday, Adkins said: “I think when you look at our fixtures and the run that we have, we’re not going to pick the same team two games running.
“The recovery time between games is going to be so limited for the exertion that we put in because we’re a high-energy side.
“With that in mind, everybody has got to come to the party and work very hard whether that’s from the start or making an impact from the bench.
“Everybody is pulling in the same direction and that is an important message. We’re working hard for the group."
For now, preparations are focussed on Saturday’s game against Forest at the City Ground and the search for league points.
“Preparations are good and there is a good spirit in the camp," continued Adkins.
“We’ve analysed last weekend’s game, had a debrief, taken the lessons from it and we move on to Nottingham Forest now. Training has been good and focussed as we strive to improve on everything that we do, and we look forward to Saturday."
The question that we all want answering though Nigel is , will Micheal Dawson feature in your Match Day Squad?
Adkins obviously wasn't completely satisfied with his first team squad because during the window this happened.
'Aberdeen have rejected a bid for defender Scott McKenna from English Championship club Hull City.
The 21-year-old, who signed a contract extension until 2021 in October, has played 16 times for the Dons this season.
Hull manager Nigel Adkins revealed his interest in the player after his side's 0-0 draw with Reading on Saturday.'
McKenna has established himself as a Aberdeen first team regular this season, scoring two goals. He's also been called up for the Scotland U23's
So perhaps the failure of the Dawson deal was down to Mckenna staying put?
What of the Reds?
Costel Pantilimon is obviously seen as the Number One goal keeper.
Nottingham Forest have been heavily linked with a move for Greek goalkeeper Stefanos Kapino; according to the NEP. Kapino is also 6'5" tall so another giant, is 'the writing on the wall' for Jordan Smith?
Will Liam Bridcutt be in the squad?
Daryl Murphy has only just returned to the grass so I expect Ben Brereton to start up front. The rest, who knows? Eric R/B Joe C/H.
Feel free to pick a team; a Blankety Blank Cheque Book and used biro, for who ever gets closest!
Live @ http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewLiveArticle/384753
One match ban enabled
Forest V Hull City Match Thread
posted on 11/2/18
Guess we are going to struggle to make the play off’s then 😁
posted on 11/2/18
Struggle to keep out of the bottom four more like.
If they put in that sort of disjointed performance against 'you-know-who' then the crowd will turn against Karanka .
posted on 12/2/18
Bear, I agree with much of what you say about the club's recruitment strategy. It is the board's responsibility to agree the strategy and for the DoR to execute it in collaboration with the manager and coaches at all levels.. My understanding was that the board wanted an emphasis on youth both via the academy and from other leagues/divisions. This was the strategy that FP/MW executed in the summer. They were also offered some of the Britt transfer money if needed. The summer signings weren't entirely successful hence the boards apparent change of strategy in January and MW's recent comments that the board moved the goalposts.
FM had been working since the previous window closed until January to freshen up the squad based on the boards original strategy and had a list of targets, some ready to sign as soon as the window opened, only for the rug to be pulled from under him. Little wonder he walked.
My opinion is that the board's change of strategy, manager, and the recent signings have been a big mistake, taking a very short term view. The squad we have now is less balanced, less fit, and will need a complete overhaul in the summer. We also cannot plan for the summer window until we know which division we will be in.
It's all starting to look a bit Fawazesque.
posted on 12/2/18
It is easy to think that way, I guess. The recent Warburton interviews have lifted the lid and it appears on the face of it that Forest have another set of owners who don’t have the requisite patience to set a plan out and stick with it. I really don’t believe Warburton would have had Forest this low in the table and would have been very interested to see who he would have brought in during the window.
posted on 12/2/18
I also think Warburton would have targeted players who would have been playing regularly and thus match fit. Karanka’s picks have at best featured sparingly for their previous clubs this season. He therefore has a raft of players who aren’t match fit. It is a big gamble on his part to suppose they’ll pick up match sharpness quickly. They have proven quality, most in the Prem too but if they take several weeks to get up to speed then he will be in a tough position.
posted on 12/2/18
Friends who went to the game were underwhelmed by Colback and Guedioura in the middle and said they were too obvious and slow in their play allowing Hull to regroup before every attack. For me, I would have Vaughan in there as he has been playing regularly. He won’t be in Karanka’s long term plans but h knows how to get a team up to boiling point and get them ticking over. I feel Karanka might be doing a McClaren and could be attempting to change too much too soon. It could really take Forest’s legs away at a crucial part of the season.
posted on 12/2/18
Mancienne’s confidence is shot and he has never seemed the kind of player to regain it quickly in the past. Karanka needs to rejig the centre halves. Burton would love to play against him and really put him under pressure. He is currently a mistake waiting to happen. I don’t think the captaincy helps him either. It looks like it weighs too heavily on him. He might look good in training but it isn’t transferring to the pitch.
posted on 12/2/18
I didn't think Guedioura was too bad in comparison with others. He showed a bit of heart and he wanted the ball. Bit rusty I suppose but he can do a job at this level. The Centre midfield is an area where we now have too many players. Bridcutt would be my first pick in there. We can't wait for the newcomers to get their fitness levels up so I would put Watson alongside and hope for 70 minutes from him. AK seems to favour 4-1-4-1 so Guedioura would be my third in CM. Cash and Osborn wide midfield. Back four would probably be: Darikwa, Worrall, Fig, Lichaj; or Lichaj RB and Fuentes LB.
Full backs don't cross halfway; CM stay goalside and hope for a 0-0 against Burton.
posted on 12/2/18
I’d forgotten about Bridcutt. Either him or Vaughan would be in that midfield. Need a bit of continuity.
posted on 15/2/18
My team
Pants
Lichaj Worral Mancienne Funetes
Watson Colback
Lolley Osborn Tomlin
Murphy
Gives a strong platform with younger energetic players to introduce later in the game