Forest claim maximum points in South Wales

Nottingham Forest continued their excellent away form by returning from Swansea with three points, thanks to a David McGoldrick strike.

The former Southampton striker fired the Reds in front after 35 minutes, after Swansea failed to clear a Forest corner and McGoldrick was on hand to fire the ball past Swans keeper Dorus De Vries.

The home side did put the Forest defence under a lot of pressure throughout the game, but after proving that they were up for the challenge following Tuesday's clean sheet at Sheffield United, they never looked in danger of conceding.

Manager Billy Davies was back in the dug out after missing the game in midweek at Bramall Lane, and he made a bold statement by dropping leading scorers Dexter Blackstock and Robert Earnshaw and replacing them with McGoldrick and Dele Adebola.

And although the decision may have raised eyebrows, no one could question the Scot's judgement afterwards, as it was McGoldrick who scored the goal to continue the visitors unbeaten away record.

Swansea did pose a threat in the second half with the introduction of on loan man Lee Trundle, but he wasted two good chances to draw the hosts level.

First he cut inside Nicky Shorey, but saw a curled effort go just wide of Lee Camp's post, and then in injury time he wasted a great chance by firing over from eight yards out.

In the end astute defending from Forest was enough to see them claim their second clean sheet in a week and hold on to three points, to take them up to third in the table at least untill Cardiff take on Boro on Sunday, and are just two points behind 2nd placed West Bromwich Albion.

Unbeaten away, we're Nottingham Forest, unbeaten away

Nottingham Forest remain the only side in England to boast an unbeaten away record, after claiming a hard earned point at Sheffield United.

In truth, it was a point gained rather than two dropped as Forest were under pressure for the majority of the game and had to rely on keeper Lee Camp to save them on numerous occasions.

The former Derby keeper kept out efforts from Matt Kilgallon, Stephen Quinn and loanee Henri Camara to ensure that Forest left Yorkshire with a share of the spoils.

Forest did create one decent chance, with Robbie Earnshaw firing wide early in the second half, and also saw a shot comfortably cleared off the line by Blades skipper Chris Morgan.

But the brilliant travelling support were delighted to see the Reds hang on for a point and showed their appreciation to Camp by singing his name at the end of the game.

The match saw assistant David Kelly take charge in the absence of Billy Davies who was ill, and he will be delighted to have maintained Forest's impressive away record and kept the Reds in the play-offs in 4th place.

Earnshaw goes Fox hunting

Nottingham Forest recorded a remarkable East Midlands derby win over rivals Leicester City, with striker Robert Earnshaw bagging a hat-trick on route to a crushing 5-1 win.

The Welsh international was in unstoppable form, and netted Forest's opener after just 12 minutes.

Linking up well with strike partner Dexter Blackstock, the former Norwich man calmly slotted past visitors keeper Chris Weale before celebrating with his trademark somersault in front of the Trent End.

The Reds doubled their lead soon after. Chris Cohen's driven shot went through a melee of players before reaching Earnshaw who scored his second with a deft chip into the net. Cue somersault celebration again.

Forest were rampant and Leicester manager Nigel Pearson was clearly lost in what to do. He made two substitutes in the first half, including top scorer Matty Fryatt, to try and change his team's luck, but to no avail.

Forest started the second half in the same fashion as the first and five minutes into the half Earnshaw had completed his hat-trick.

Picking up a soft backpass by Jack Hobbs, Earnie ran the ball past the unimpressive Wayne Brown and finished emphatically into the top corner of Weale's goal.

Earnshaw had dedicated his second somersault celebration to the 2nd battalion Mercian regiment who were back from serving in Afghanistan, but this time the somersault was saved for the delirious Forest fans sat in the A block.

Paul Anderson won a personal battle by scoring past the hometown club, and beating the banter of his mates.

Forest were in cruise control, and looked dangerous every time they attacked. Yet it was the visitors who scored the next goal. A soft penalty was awarded for handball against Wes Morgan, but in truth there was little chance of the big centre half being able to get out of the way.

Many Reds fans believed the decision was a chance for referee Mike Russell to 'even' up the game, after previously awarding a penalty and then changing his mind against the visitors.

Martyn Waghorn converted the spot kick in off the underside of the bar, but that was as good as it got for the Foxes.

Substitute Dele Adebola put the game beyond doubt by following up fellow substitute Garath Mcleary's powerful drive, to make the scoreline look embarrassing on our East Midlands rivals.

This was one of Forest's best performances of the season, and saw the hosts leap frog their opponents into 3rd place in the table.

Home draw in Cup

Nottingham Forest have been handed a home tie in the third round of the FA Cup, after drawing Premiership side Birmingham City.

The Blues will travel to the City Ground on either Saturday the 2nd of January or Sunday the 3rd of January.

Forest pulled off the shock of the round at this stage of the competition last year, when they defeated big spending Manchester City 3-0 at Eastlands. The goals that day came from Nathan Tyson, Robert Earnshaw and Joe Garner.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8384168.stm"< Here is the full 3rd round draw.

Forest crush Doncaster

Nottingham Forest moved up to 4th in the Championship table, after a convincing 4-1 victory of Doncaster Rovers.

The Reds' goals came courtesy of an own goal by Gareth Roberts and strikes from Wes Morgan, Robert Earnshaw and substitute Lewis McGugan.

Rovers did pull a goal back late on through Billy Sharp, but they were second best to Forest all game.

Manager Billy Davies decided to put Robert Earnshaw in the starting line up after his goal against Middlesbrough last week ensured a point for the Reds, and it paid off as the Welsh international looked sharp all game and scored a deserved goal in the second half which led to his trademark somersault celebration in front of the Trent End.

It was a performance that deserved three points, and leaves Forest in confident mood ahead of next Saturday's East Midlands showdown with Leicester City, where a win will see Forest go third in the table.

Forest Shorey up defence

Nottingham Forest have signed experienced defender Nicky Shorey on an emergency loan from Aston Villa.

The move sees the former Reading man move across the Midlands in the search of regular first team football, after falling down the pecking order at Villa Park following the signing of Stephen Warnock.

The signature of the two capped England man sees Forest's left back problems eased significantly. Last season's player of the year Chris Cohen has been playing in that position, but as we all know his best position is in midfield.

First choice left back Julian Bennett is still a long term injury casualty, and summer signing Joel Lynch is seen by manager Billy Davies as a future centre half than a left back.

So the signing of Shorey will certainly feel like Davies is no longer having to put round pegs in square holes in the left back position, with the impressive acquisition of a Premiership full back.

Whether the Reds look to sign Shorey in January remains to be seen, but Davies has also revealed he is lining up an ambitious move for Spurs man Garath Bale.

If any move for the Welshman does materialised it will be for big money, after Spurs spent £5 million to sign Bale from Southampton and still rate him as a real prospect.

However, his Welsh teammates Rob Earnshaw and close friend Chris Gunter may give the Reds an edge in their arsenal as they look to sell the ambition of the club to Bale.

see the full story here

Forest look at permanent Majewski move

The news that all Forest fans were hoping to hear has arrived, as Billy Davies today confirmed he is looking to sign the Polish international on a longer deal.

Majewski arrived at the City Ground in the summer on a years loan from Polonia Warsaw and has impressed in the opening months of the season.

He quickly became a fans favourite on Trentside after netting a spectacular opener in the win over rivals Derby County.

Majewski has admitted he is keen to remain at Forest, who have first option on buying the midfielder from his parent club.

Most Forest fans will be delighted with this news as the Reds look to establish a squad capable of challenging for promotion.

cited on the forest website from a Polish news article

Davies unhappy with loanees

Nottingham Forest boss Billy Davies has admitted he is frustrated with the lack of progress being made by his young stars, currently out on loan at lower league clubs.

Davies is unhappy that not all of his players on loan are getting first team action at their temporary clubs. This comes after the Scot decided to scrap the Forest reserve side and instead send his fringe players out on loan, where he thought they would all get first team action and gain more experience than playing reserve team football.

However, it has not really worked that way as most of the players Davies sent out on loan are not playing.

Brendan Moloney started regularly for neighbours Notts County but has struggled to get in the team recently. County are apparently looking to sign the Irish right back permanently however.

Matt Thornhill joined Brighton on loan as part of the Joel Lynch transfer, but the Wollaton midfielder has struggled to make an impact on the South Coast.

Joe Heath has also failed to play regular football at Lincoln City, whilst keeper Shane Redmond has started just one game for League Two new boys Burton Albion.

Mark Byrne and James Reid are at least featuring for Rushden and Diamonds, but that is in the Blue Square Premier and may be a while before the two midfielders are ready to feature in Davies' thoughts for the first team at the City Ground.

Reds earn point but feels like a loss

Nottingham Forest earned a point against promotion rivals Bristol City, but will be very disappointed not to have taken all three.


The Reds opened the scoring with just five minutes to go, when big centre back Wes Morgan fired home following a corner.



However, Forest switched off in injury time to allow Danny Haynes to creep in and place the ball past keeper Lee Camp. It was the only time City had really carved an opening after a mix of superb defending by Kelvin Wilson and Morgan, as well as some very negative tactics from City.



Gary Johnson's men obviously came to Trentside with the intentions to frustrate Forest by having 11 men behind the ball and putting in very strong tackles.



So strong infact as it was a mystery as to why one of the City players did not get sent off. In form striker Nicky Marnard could have gone as early as eight seconds for a horror challenge on full back Chris Gunter.



On loan midfielder Evander Sno made at least six 'booking worthy' tackles that referee Anthony Taylor and his two female assistants decided to look over. Sno was eventually sunstituted by Johnson before he was sent off.



Forest were much the better team on the day but never really created any chances themselves on a frustrating day.



The closest Forest came to a winner was when the lively Garath McCleary crossed for Paul Anderson who had a tap in, but a brilliant recovery tackle from Cole Skuse saw the ball spin agonisingly away from goal and into the arms of Dean Gerken.



In the end both teams had to settle for a point which was probably a fair result on reflection, but Forest will be annoyed at their failure to see the game out and not take all three points.

Forest face difficult Bristol City clash.

Nottingham Forest face a difficult tie against in-form Bristol City, at the City Ground on Saturday.

The game promises to be a real mouth-watering fixture, as the league's two in-form sides go head to head.

Forest will need to watch City marksman Nicky Maynard carefully, as the former Crewe Alexandra hitman has scored nine goals already this season and is bang in form.

Forest striker Dele Adebola could be in line to start against the club he left in the summer, after playing a part in Lewis McGugan's injury time leveler against Cardiff last Sunday.

The last time the two sides met at the City Ground, Dexter Blackstock fired home a last minute winner for the Reds which went a long way to help Forest securing their safety in the Championship. Blackstock volleyed home a Joe Garner knockdown, before going into the Trent End to celebrate with the jubilant home fans.

Young Reds batter Rams

It is always nice to see your team beat your local rivals at whatever level, so I was delighted to see Forest's under 18 side beat Derby 6-3 in the FA Premier academy league.

Tom Cullen netted a hat-trick and there were also goals for Danny Meadows, Neil Byrne and George Thomson during the rout.

Forest's youngsters are coached by former player Eoin Jess, who replaced Chris Fairclough after his promotion to the first team coaching staff,, and Jess was delighted that the performance gained the result it deserved at Wilford Lane.

Forest have now won three on the bounce and the future looks promising for a club renowned for producing quality young talent.

Another one of Forest's youngsters, Aaron Mitchell today linked up with Ilkeston Town on loan. The move should offer Mitchell valuable experience as he looks to eventually break into the first team picture at the City Ground.

Tyson injury blow.

Nottingham Forest were today dealt a severe blow as striker Nathan Tyson was ruled out for up to a month, with a calf strain he picked up in training on Friday.

The injury was enough to keep the former Wycombe Wanderers man out of the trip to Cardiff, and has now proved to be more serious than first thought and will keep him out of action for a while.

Manager Billy Davies has hinted at dipping into the loan market following Tyson's injury, as he joins top profile hitmen Robert Earnshaw and Dexter Blackstock on the sidelines.

Julian Bennett remains a long term injury victim, whilst Joel Lynch and James Perch continue to recover and have been on the bench in recent games.

How much do you think Forest will miss Tyson? Do you think that Davies should bring in cover, or wait until Earnshaw and Dexter are both back fit after the international break?

Reds maintain unbeaten away record.

Nottingham Forest remain the only side in the country yet to lose away from home, after a dramatic last minute goal saw them draw 1-1 at Cardiff City.

Substitute Lewis McGugan fired home a minute into injury time to secure a deserved point for the Reds, after Jay Bothroyd had fired Cardiff into the lead midway through the second half.

Forest were without top scorer Dexter Blackstock and pace man Nathan Tyson who were both ruled out through injury, so that meant returns to the side for Guy Moussi and Radoslaw Majewski.

The Reds started brightly in their first outing in the new Cardiff City Stadium and could have opened the scoring when striker David McGoldrick raced through, but a heavy touch forced him wide and the former Southampton striker fired wide.

Paul Anderson was terrorising young full back Aaron Matthews and there was a big shout for a penalty when the youngster seemed to clip Anderson, but Referee Graham Salisbury waved away the protest.

Reds keeper Lee Camp then pulled off a superb double save. First the former Derby stopper kept out Chopra's shot, before recovering to beat away Joe Ledley's follow up.

Camp then produced a sublime tip over the bar from Peter Whittingham's dipping long range drive.

Anderson then missed a glorious chance as his placed shot went agonisingly the wrong side of the post.

Whittingham then caused a ten man melee after a late tackle on ex-Bluebird Chris Gunter, who was booed throughout by the home crowd, and was eventually booked once the Ref had settled the two teams down.

Just before the break Polish international Majewski went close with a free kick that had Marshall well beat in terrible wintery conditions.

Cardiff took the lead midway through the second half after a counter attacking, free flowing move saw Jay Bothroyd slot the ball past Camp and into the net. Forest were convinced that the former Coventry and Perugia striker was offside when the ball was played, but it was tight and the goal was given.

Davies threw on Adebola, McGugan and Mcleary in the second half to try and create an opening for the Reds but the game looked to be getting away from them.

However, as the board went up for four minutes injury, McGugan collected a knock down from Dele Adebola and after the ball deflected back into the midfielders path off Mark Hudson the Long Eaton born man made no mistake as he unleashed an unstoppable left foot shot into the top corner.

The man in the mask had ensured that the Reds continued their unbeaten away record which no other team in the country has been able to match.

So how do you fellow Forest fans feel about a point in South Wales? Does McGugan deserve to start against Bristol City next week?

Also as the game was on BBC, are there any other fans who watched the game? how do you felt Forest played and do you think they can challenge for a play-off place?

Gunter unsure about Cardiff reception.

FOREST'S WELSH international Chris Gunter has admitted he is unsure what sort of reception he will recieve when he lines up against his former club Cardiff City, live on BBC on Sunday.

Gunter made twenty eight appearances for the Bluebirds before a £2 million move to Tottenham Hotspur in January 2008.

The former Football League ''Apprentice of the Year'' joined Forest on loan last season and helped the club avoid relegation back to League One.

And the Reds full-back admitted he enjoyed his loan spell that much, he was delighted when a permanent move to Trentside happened in the summer.

Sunday's game sees Gunter return to face his former club for the first time since leaving for Tottenham and the full back admits he is unsure of what reception he will receive from the Cardiff faithful.

Gunter told the official Forest website, ''To be honest I don't care what reception I get. I've moved on from Cardiff and I've improved massively as a player. As long as the Forest fans back me up I don't mind.''

''I’m looking forward to the occasion but the main thing is to go there and get the three points.''

That is certainly what Forest will be aiming to do on Sunday evening as they look to stretch their impressive unbeaten away record in South Wales.

Following on from this, former Cardiff hero Robert Earnshaw has been told he will not make the trip, as he is still troubled with a calf injury that has kept him out of the last three games.

Options up front for Reds.

This summer saw Forest spend almost £4.5 million worth of talent, in an attempt to build a squad capable of reaching the Premier League within three years


Lee Camp, Joel Lynch and Chris Gunter signed on after successful loan spells at the club last season, however they remained the only additions to the defence.



Davies brought in six other players to provide much needed competition in midfield and attack.

Dexter Blackstock signed for a reported £1.6million fee, along with former Southampton hitman David McGoldrick for a cool £1million. Dele Adebola arrived on a free from Bristol City, after the Nigerian born striker rejected their offer of a new contract.



Paul Anderson made his loan a £250,000 permanent deal from Premiership giants Liverpool and the long pursuit of Paul Mckenna finally paid off when Davies got his man from Preston for £750,000, and immediately made him skipper replacing the out going Ian Breckin.



Radoslaw Majewski completed the spending spree by arriving on loan from Polonia Warsaw, with a £1.5million agreed to take place in January.



It is the attacking flair that made most Forest fans optimistic this season. With the signings of Blackstock, Adebola, McGoldrick, Anderson and Majewski, Forest seemed to have more attacking options then ever before.



Add to the list the strikers already at the club, Nathan Tyson, Joe Garner and the previous season's biggest addition, Welsh international Robert Earnshaw and Forest looked very dangerous on paper.



Manager Billy Davies had said in the summer he wanted six quality strikers and he certainly got them. But Davies knew what sort of strikers he needed to complete the set.



Overlooking former fans favourite Marlon Harewood, Davies chose strikers he knew would give Forest a more 'rounded' look.



Davies claims he has sorted Forest's scoring problem and the Reds can now see off games.



Dele Adebola offers Forest the strength and power up the top, McGoldrick offers skill and guile, Blackstock offers composure and height to the attack.



The three strikers from last year also have their roles within the team. Robert Earnshaw is classed as a 'fox in the box' by Davies and a natural goalscorer, Joe Garner is seen as the team's 'poacher' and a real handful for opposition defenders. And finally Nathan Tyson offers blistering pace and a deadly left foot and can drag defenders out wide to create space for the oncoming midfielders.



This sees the Reds have a variety of options if they need to change the game up front in some way. And if the likes of Mckenna, Majewski, Mcgugan, Moussi, Cohen and Anderson can offer the right sort of service, then there should be no reason why Forest can't be there or there abouts come May.

Davies and Warnock exchange heated words.

Nottingham Forest manager Billy Davies criticised the rough tactics used by Crystal Palace, following the sides 1-1 draw at Selhurst Park.


Davies was incensed that Clint Hill was not shown a red card for an alleged elbow to the face of Reds winger Paul Anderson, on the stroke of half time.



Hill was shown a yellow card after getting involved with Forest right back Chris Gunter, who was also booked. This led to a melee involving players and staff from both clubs.

Anderson had to be taken off at half time, such the extent of force Hill had used on the former Liverpool youngster.



Davies told Sky Sports, ''I think it was a red card, and when Neil Warnock doesn't complain to you at the side of the pitch you know he thinks it to.''



''He is a very fortunate manager and a Hill is a very fortunate player, because it was a blatant elbow in my opinion.''

Warnock claimed that the incident was only worthy of a yellow card.

I'm sure I speak for all Forest fans when I say that I hope Anderson's injury isn't serious as he has become a real valuable player in recent weeks. His pace is electric and he offers us a good let out ball on the wing, similarly to Tyson.



The game itself saw the Reds go a goal down to a screamer of a free-kick by former Ipswich man Darren Ambrose, who seems to be getting his career back on track with the Eagles after disappointing, injury hit spells with Newcastle and Charlton.


However, Forest earned a deserved point when Lewis Mcgugan drilled in a cross which was slid home by summer signing David McGoldrick on 48 minutes.

Forest pressed hard for an equaliser that never came and had to settle for a point, as there unbeaten away record continued.

I would also like to say congratulation to Guy Moussi for netting his first goal for the club in the recent home game against Barnsley.

The French midfielder has done well to come back from a serious ankle injury, that he sustained against Palace last season, and perform superbly against Newcastle and then score a vital winner against the Tykes in injury time.

The only downside was seeing the former SCO Angers man shown a second yellow for going into the crowd when celebrating. Such a pathetic rule in my opinion, but a rule none the less so Moussi deserved to go.

FA reaches verdict over derby day scenes

It emerged today that the FA had finally reached a decision on what action would be handed out to Nottingham Forest and their rivals Derby County, following the ugly scenes at the end of the game in August.

As you know Forest won the game 3-2 to record their first win over the Rams since 2003. After Robbie Savage's disrespectful actions at the end of the game last season, Nathan Tyson responded this year by waving a corner flag with the famous Forest badge on it in front of the travelling Derby fans. This led to a huge melee involving players from both sides as well as members of each team's coaching staff.

The FA have decided to hand Tyson a 2 game ban and fined the striker £5,000. The Reds have been ordered to pay £25,000 of which £10,000 is suspended. Forest were warned about their future conduct.

Derby were also warned about their future conduct and were fined £20,000 of which £10,000 is suspended.

Manager Billy Davies will certainly be disapointed to lose Tyson, who has had an explosive start to the season on the left wing and comes at a time when Forest are just two points off the top of the table following a 5 match winning streak.

What are your thoughts on the punishments for both teams and Tyson? Do you think they are fair? How will the Reds cope without their number eleven?

Welcome

Hello and welcome to Forest Talk, a blog created to deliver news and information on all the goings on at the City Ground.

Feel free to offer your opinions on what you would like to see happen at the club. From whats happening behind the scenes, to transfer rumours and the action on the pitch itself.

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