Lush Vlad

I think he's trying to slap his arm down so he can then block his run. Just ends up slapping him in the face

D seems harsh. But he’s not really a C either, IMO. C minus it is.

She demanded Dubravka be allowed to run off to Man U again and that Howe should be sacked.

Out for the season.

Perhaps ‘this level’ as in the entire prem was a tad strong. Say our level, then. Can he play regularly, stay fit and perform to the levels required for a team whose ambition is the top 4 and perhaps more? I’d say no. He barely gets ‘more than 15 minutes’ here and there. As the fucker is never fit and it’s always as if he is working his way back to fitness after yet another injury. He’s not good enough to spell Isak and start games. As we found out last season when he looked miles off the pace and just doing doggies up top chasing shadows. So he’ll get the odd cup game. Or he’ll play too often when Isak is injured and then break down again. Yeah. He chipped in with some goals. Not sure that part of his game will ever fully desert him if get gets the service. But did you watch him last season when he was actually available and think he did a good job? He will always be capable of getting goals and I think I’ve even said in here that as a bit part player. You would like to think he can chip in with goals here and there to help us to end the season. ‘IF’ he can stay fit. Which is half why I’m surprised someone lower down in the league or abroad didn’t take a punt on him and/or we didn’t consider trying to move him on whilst he still held some value. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/callum-wilson/verletzungen/spieler/123682 Makes for grim reading. Can’t be relied upon at all for any meaningful minutes or over a prolonged amount of time.

Yeah. I thought he totally lost his bearings after the unexpected turnover. Went back to his goal without seeming to check his posts. Which meant he was massively over to the wrong side. In fact he was so far over. It was like he was defending one of the practice goals they have up during the warm up

I know it is pretty much unheard of in football. But is there a chance that Howe might actually play Dubravka in games against teams where we are expected to win. But that also press higher up the pitch, meaning we might need that extra ball player at the back? I’m not sure I can remember teams using 2 keepers in that way. But then there are also massive differences to their games and how they play. Howe sort of alluded to this in his post-match comments. But he was probably just being polite and giving them both a bit of praise.

Is it really ‘dropping’ him, though? The number one getting back in the starting lineup. After the number 2 put in a pretty crap display the game before in a 4-0 loss? Pope was our number one and rightfully so. He came in and showed he was by far the better keeper. Then when he was injured last season. Dubravka came in and had a mare a lot of the while, conceding goals he was massively at fault for. whilst also being scapegoated at times. This season, Pope has looked a bit iffy at times and has been at fault for goals, for sure. Dubravka came in and was good with his feet and was part of that great run. Much improved on last season. But he was also similarly ropey in some moments in amongst some top saves. Without being tested too often. I’m not really seeing it as clear cut and black and white as some others for who should be playing. Both have their weaknesses and it is one of a few positions I think we’ll look to upgrade in the summer. But I still think Pope is the number one and the superior keeper. Even if his form/levels have dropped off this season.

Nuno refused to shake Howe's hand after the game? That's what Luke Edwards said, anyway. Mad that with all the times Forest have scored first in the league. Their only 2 losses are against us. I suppose that is another positive to take from yesterday, despite the second half taking a bit of shine off the win. Small sample size. But I just checked and we have been crap at home if we concede first. Gone on to lose to Bournemouth, Brighton and West Ham. Where in all of those games, we seemed to run out of ideas at different points and seemed unable to break them down. I think the only other time was against City, where we salvaged a deserved point. So it's decent that we managed to turn it around yesterday. Even if their goal was against the run of play and was a howler from Pope and Murphy. They're more than solid once they get ahead and whilst we had our own luck. We were top quality for half an hour or so in that first half. Strangely, we've been better away from home when going a goal down. I think it is 4 wins and a draw.

Nah. I thought he looked past it most of last season when he was fit, even. He is now rarely fit, so he won't get a run of games. He can't get a run of games to build back up unless god forbid, Isak gets injured. Plus, as already stated. He also won't get a run of games due to being a perma-crock. Bit of a cop out and all. He has been back training for long enough, I'm sure. As there is no way we would be risking him too early. He got best part of an hour in the cup and then his few cameos here and there. He was still quick when he first signed for us, but that's totally gone now. It's not like he has a great touch or anything and ever contributed much to overall play. He's always been more of a poacher, between the posts type, that occasionally loves to shithouse and get in battles with CB's. But again, I don't think he has that in his game now, as his body just gives up all the while. He's been a great player for us over the years. But I think it's fairly clear injuries have got the better of him and he should have been moved on if we had a chance to.

It was nice of Matz Sels to get some sort of St James’ Park induced PTSD yesterday. Much more like the Sels we had to watch and not the one who has been brilliant most of the season for Forest. I also didn’t realise his full name is Matz Willy Els Sels

Great that we managed to win yesterday. As this now becomes a free swing in a game where we’re expected to get fuck all. We never get anything at Anfield, the same as City. Speaking of City. Liverpool just schooled them on their own patch. Yet only a week ago, we got battered there 4-0. I know results and performances don’t really have that much relevance week to week. But the way we’ve been playing of late. I think we might be in for another hiding here.

We all know how good his passing is and how strong he is on the ball and going forward. But it was his defensive work that stood out to me. Yes he got burned by Elanga a couple of times, but then who doesn’t. Other than that. He was really aggressive into his tackles and headers. So good in the air for his size. There was one point in the second half. Where the game went a bit non-league and the ball was ping ponging about in the air for 20-30 seconds or so. He just kept smashing their players and ours out the way so he could win yet another header he wasn’t favourite for. Must have won 4 in a row.

Considering he is now likely to be one of our top earners and what his value is to us. I think he is still very raw in some ways as a player. I don’t think his finishing, crossing or passing is anywhere near an elite level for the position. It’s more how fast and direct he can be and his tireless work rate that make him a good player. He has developed that little 180 turn and sort of false touch and step this year to find space really well. Which tends to work every time. I agree with others in here that he was top drawer first half today. But the season as a whole hasn’t been good enough IMO.

I still think he’s top quality. But he’s been nowhere near as effective for us of late/most this season.

He dropped a massive clanger for their first goal. But that’s just not true, is it?!

I’m not sure you’ll see a worse 20 minutes from a player in the league this season. Scored, never hid, worked hard. Can’t really complain.

I was watching in the pub with a load of neutrals. Basically predicted this when he came on. I said he’d get in a load of physical battles with CB’s for no reason. Lo and behold that’s exactly what he did.

I know he’s had ages out. But my word is he finished at this level.

Nah. I’m not saying he can’t do that. But as daft as it sounds. I have more confidence in him in the deeper role than Bruno and I think Bruno is better further forward. I think he looks a lot more mobile than last season and he is good on the ball with the game in front of him.

Not sure if you’re on insta or not? https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGbFIt5qZmf/?igsh=MTR0N245eGlhYXZ5Zw==

Return to form. I thought outside of Hall and Isak he was our MOTM.

Superb today I thought. Feel like he should play deeper than Bruno, mind and today confirmed that.

It’s a howler from Pope. No doubt about it. He was decent enough otherwise. Bur the irony is Dubravka can’t dive to his right and waved in similarly crap strikes against Bromley and City. I love Pope. But we do need to upgrade if we can. I think there are other areas that need attention first. But sounds like our minds have been made up with Trafford. Which is fair enough really.