Cronky

It's one of the things about VAR that still needs a bit of straightening out. When a ref gets called over to the monitor, there's a lot of pressure on him to reverse his decision - otherwise why get called over? I've only once seen a ref stick to his guns (Michael Oliver). It's quite a rarity. On the other hand, I think VAR sometimes calls the ref over when they are genuinely unsure of the right call, and want to share the burden of responsibility. I reckon that was the case here, and in fairness, it was an unusual situation. In reality though, it wasn't a clear and obvious error and that should have been the end of it. Instead, the two parties stumble into a poor decision. I wasn't in favour of VAR for anything but purely factual decisions, but it's working out better than I was expecting. However, it was always going to take a few seasons to get the procedures and grey areas into the best shape. There's a lesson to be learned from this episode.

I've been one of his doubters for a while, and that performance did nothing to change my mind. He'll be good to have around as an impact sub if we're in trouble, but that's it. Unless we give him a free role, with no defensive expectations, I don't think he's worth a starting place. We're a hard-working, passing team and he needs to link better with his team mates and move the ball on more quickly. He's very much an individual whose instinct is to try and make things happen on his own.

I didn't want to sound like I was complaining. And I'm only judging by what came across on the TV. It reminded me of the Stoke fans of a few seasons ago. Fair enough, Forest are a club with a big recent history ('recent' for an old git like me), and they've got back to the top division for the first time in 20 years. I can understand everything being a bit hyped up. But it felt like a bit of a bear pit, and that makes it difficult for refs and opponents to hold their nerve. It seems an important asset for them, because their team looked poor. Apart from the offside decision, which was blatantly wrong, I thought the ref did well. Forest were clearly out to kick anything that moved, and the atmosphere between the teams became very niggly. He managed to keep a lid on it. And our lads did well too. Apart from a period of 15 minutes after their goal, they stood up to the challenge. As Carragher said after the game, we always show up. Our boss does a great job of preparing the team mentally.

I'd have been so pissed off if we hadn't won that game. Forest were poor, but I can see why they do well at home. That crowd creates an atmosphere which makes it difficult for opponents and referees. Credit to our lads, they didn't buckle and fully deserved the win. Overall, a poor decision about our 'offside' goal. The defender made a deliberate attempt to play the ball even though he wasn't in a position to do much with it. I can only think that the VAR official and the ref didn't want to make a mistake and gave what they may have felt was the 'safe' decision.

And he showed impeccable judgement in letting the ball bounce harmlessly off the bar on those two occasions.

We really needed that goal. Until they scored, they weren't in it, and we lost momentum. It's a raucous atmosphere and Forest's tackling looks a tad over-enthusiastic. Shelvey looks a red card candidate.

There seems to be a lack of good leadership on the pitch, and I do wonder about Zaha's role in that. He seems to be bigger than the club. He has his moments, but generally he's proved to be not quite good enough. He often seems to walk around with this indignant expression on his face, as though in exasperation at the mere mortals that he's forced to play with.

I don't think Rafa can be seen as a safe bet any more. He doesn't always get on well with people, and it needs someone to get that team to get quickly. I think they need to be a bit bolder than that. I'm a bit stumped because it needs someone with experience, and I can't think of a good fit. It doesn't look like a job for an up and coming manager from the lower divisions. Gerrard made some mistakes at Villa - principally Coutinho and the fiasco with Mings and the captaincy. I think he will come good as a manager in the end, but this doesn't feel like the right fresh start for him. His stock is very low at the moment. There'll be no shortage of takers, because I think the squad has potential, but the timing is bad and it looks like a good opportunity for someone to ruin their career.

I wasn't expecting this, maybe because he's such a big name. However, Palace are under-achieving, given the talent in their squad. From what I've seen, team spirit seems to be a bit lacking. If they go down, we should be in for Eze. A really good player who just needs a gentle kick up the arse.

I hope he retains his place tonight, and I think he will, because Eddie is keen to reward a good performance. Almiron coming on later seemed to work well at the weekend.

Interesting player. The highlights on YT tend to show him beating opponents or scoring, but the occasional footage of a pass shows some ability there. At £33m and 20 years old, he looks a bargain, but I don't think we've yet won a transfer contest with a big six club, and there seems to be widespread interest. If we get into the CL, we may have a chance. Not otherwise, I fear.

Yeah, it's very tight down there. I do wonder about Palace and Wolves, because they don't seem to have the motivation of the others. For our first goal against Wolves, Isak gave the defender a shove, and that ought to have brought about a protest from the player, but I don't think anything happened. At the very end, Jiminez was knocked down in the area by Burn, and he just got up grinning.

Like many, I was getting exasperated at the reluctance to start with this guy, but I'm now starting to think that Eddie may have played a blinder. He's protected the guy from aggravating his injury, increased his fitness, given him time to integrate, but also fuelled the guy's motivation to prove himself and nail down his place. Given his talent, I think Isak has slightly underachieved in his career, but I wonder if Eddie has now created a bit of a monster.

No, I buy you out.

Looking at that, I don't feel too bad about our prospects. Our away form isn't too shabby, and there were signs against Wolves that our mojo is coming back. Isak can play a big part in that, and we've still got Gordon to come later on. I think it's good that we have no other distractions other than trying to get into the Champions League. Most of the teams we face are under pressure with relegation fears, or have European or other cup commitments. Now that we've broken the winless run, I think we can relax a bit.

Unlike Wilson, he's often able to use his skill to turn round in possession and face a defender. It makes all the difference.

I don't think they will. This is a very different set up from the one that exists at Man City, Chelsea or PSG. The Sovereign Wealth Fund apparently acts like a pension fund, making long-term investments with a view to maintaining a prosperous future. It's not someone deciding to blow an inflated fortune for the vicarious glory of winning trophies at football.

Thought of a funny, but decided it was bad taste.

I'd agree that he's in that kind of class. He offers an unusual package, and there are strikers in there who you could argue offer a better overall package. But he's the most technically skilful ball player on that list, and we need to build our team around those gifts.

There's often a very tired, passive look to Willock's defending. He's good going forward, but that's a real weakness in his game.

It's difficult to tell when and how the contact was made by Pope, and if the ref isn't sufficiently sure it's a pen, then he can't give it. In turn, VAR can't over-turn the decision unless they can see a clear and obvious error. Due process was followed. VAR isn't there to re-referee decisions ie to substitute one subjective opinion over another. It was therefore really irritating to hear Redknapp arguing that some 'important' decisions should be re-refereed. Talk about missing the point. The system is never going to be perfect, but you can't change the agreed procedure on a whim like that. Perhaps Wolves were unlucky, but luck plays a part in competitive sport. Get over it.

On balance, he's still worth his place in our current situation, but on too many occasions, he just doesn't release the ball at the right time. I'm hoping that we can bring in an upgrade on him in the summer.

I think Eddie needs to freshen things up a bit. There's been a tired element in our recent performances.

I'd compare Gordon with Bellamy, particularly on the issue of pace and work rate. It's interesting that both players left their previous clubs under a cloud, apparently for failing to lift a struggling team. There also seems to be something a bit chippy about their personalities. As with Bellamy, I'd like to see him given a freer role, and more responsibility.

I'm very confident about Gordon. As others have said, he's a bit restricted at the moment because Burn struggles to support him, but it looks like we're aiming to bring in a new LB for next season. He's a player that can make things happen. I'm prepared to trust Eddie on McTominay. We don't have a DM so he'd be a good option to have, and he comes with Premiership experience. He's good enough on the technical side not to be a liability in that position. Both players have been with clubs in turmoil, so their more recent performances have to be seen in that light. And finally our business model means that, for the time being, we won't be competing for the players that the big six want.