That was the worst wall I’ve ever seen
1 Like
De’ja vooodo. Toney scored with a similar free against an equally shit wall last time we played at Brentord
1 Like
Incredible strike from Danillo. He gets better and better with each game.
Everyone in the ground knew what Toney was doing to do with that free kick. Everyone except Rob Turner & his wall 
Shocking attempt at defending.
Turner and Vlach could well be the two worst keepers in the history of the EPL
1 Like
Turner has some good attributes but the bad far outweigh the good. Shakadeemus has all the presence of a field mouse.
Fucking rubbish
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODIE
Mangala needs to be working the keeper there
Some Brentford cunt shows hime how to do it at the other end 3-2
Thats a clear handball
Rolling the dice with Aguelira, looked a real livewire the other night
Should have taken something but ran out of steam in the end. Missing too many
How did Omoba get on?
He was solid enough. Looked comfortable on the ball, got stuck in and made some decent challenges, not at fault for any of the goals and not easy playing in front of such a wobbly keeper whose especially terrible with the ball at his feet.
Probably unlikely to hold his spot when Niakhate and Boly return but an accomplished EPL debut today I thought, looks at home at this level
2 Likes
Good article here on Omobamdiles progress at Forest thus far for those interested. Written before todays game at Brentford
Nottingham Forest chance beckons at last for Omobamidele as AFCON and injuries bite
By Paul Taylor
Jan 20, 2024
34
Andrew Omobamidele had to be extraordinarily patient.
In the end, his wait for a Nottingham Forest debut extended a little over four months, to 138 days, following his £11million ($13.9m) deadline day move from Norwich City of the Championship.
Steve Cooper, Forest’s head coach until a month ago, would talk about a young man armed with plenty of natural talent and the physical attributes to make it at the highest level — but also acknowledge the rough edges that remained.
Omobamidele had pace, power and the vital instinct of knowing when was the right moment to carry the ball out from the back and help launch attacks.
The youngster may not have been one of the signings pushed forward by Cooper, but the head coach was happy to have him around. Cooper felt Forest had landed a player with raw qualities, someone who could have a bright future at the club once the coaching staff had been afforded proper time to work with him.
Omobamidele celebrates a goal on debut in midweek (Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Cooper believed Omobamidele needed to make some minor improvements on the defensive side of his game but, once he had done so, was convinced the Republic of Ireland international could thrive in the Premier League. As it transpired, under Cooper, the 21-year-old never did get the opportunity to show he was ready.
That, in part, was due to the fierce level of competition around him. Murillo, Moussa Niakhate, Willy Boly, Felipe, club captain Joe Worrall and, earlier in the season at least, Scott McKenna were all regarded as ahead of him in the central defensive pecking order.
But, along with Cooper’s pre-Christmas sacking, there has also been a significant change in the broader dynamic at Forest of late. Having previously been peripheral figures, the likes of Omobamidele and Brandon Aguilera could now find themselves with a part to play as new coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s team head into a flurry of important fixtures.
Omobamidele has had to wait for his chance at Nottingham Forest (Ami Ford/NFFC via Getty Images)
It was something of a surprise when Omobamidele was included in the starting line-up in the FA Cup third-round replay at Blackpool on Wednesday night, if only because — barring a move back to Norwich or to a team not under European football governing body UEFA’s umbrella (one in North America’s MLS, for example) — he cannot go anywhere on loan in the second half of this season having already played for two clubs during it.
If he is to secure the minutes he needs to aid his development, it will most likely have to be at Forest. And, in the current climate, there is a reasonable chance he could get those opportunities.
Niakhate and Boly are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, Felipe continues to struggle with a long-standing knee problem and McKenna has been used sparingly, with his contract due to expire in the summer and his future up in the air.
Worrall had been frozen out under Cooper following a disagreement between the two and, while he has been welcomed back into the fold by Nuno — the centre-half started the original tie against Blackpool at the City Ground — he is also still one of few saleable assets in the current squad.
Forest do not need to sell before they buy but, by the end of this winter window on February 1, any spending must be balanced out by sales as they look to show the Premier League they are taking alleged breaches of its profit and sustainability rules (PSR) seriously.
All of which adds up to Omobamidele, who boasts seven caps for his country, being thrust up the pecking order.
“Yes, because we do not discard any players,” said Nuno when asked if Omobamidele has a part to play in the coming weeks and months. “Since we arrived, almost every player in the squad has had a chance already. This is good and the answers they are giving us are good. It is important for us to evaluate, so that we can move forward and make the best decisions.
“He is fast — he is naturally fast. He plays well. He needs to improve and grow and, to do that, he needs to play.”
Omobamidele’s performance at Blackpool, albeit against League One opposition, was good; one that suggested Nuno could rely on him should he be included in the starting line-up against Brentford today (Saturday).
The game will see particular focus on Forest’s defence as England striker Ivan Toney returns for the hosts after completing an eight-month ban for breaking betting rules.
Omobamidele tracks Toney during Norwich’s win at Brentford in 2021 (Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
It would be understandable if Forest felt a little hard done by over the scheduling of this game — had it come as one of last weekend’s five Premier League fixtures during this staggered winter break rather than the five happening in the next three days, Toney would not have been allowed to play. But Nuno is relaxed about the situation, merely observing that he would be happier if he had not been denied some of his key players — Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, Felipe and Taiwo Awoniyi are all out with injury, along with Divock Origi.
Awoniyi is making swift progress and is understood to be reasonably close to a return, even if this trip to London might come marginally too soon. It will be a significant boost when Forest’s own talismanic forward returns to action.
In the meantime, the focus will be on who is called upon to try to shackle Toney, scorer of 20 Premier League goals last season.
Omobamidele has previously faced Toney — he was part of the Norwich side who won 2-1 away against Brentford in the Premier League in November 2021, on a day when Toney drew a rare blank. That was one of five appearances Omobamidele made for Norwich in the top flight, including four starts, at a time when he was still a teenager.
GO DEEPER
Ivan Toney, the return: How the Brentford striker has prepared to make an instant impact
He was regarded as a classy defender at Carrow Road; a player who was good both on the ball and when carrying it upfield at pace. Strong, powerful and athletic, he scored against Leeds United in October 2021 to underline his potential, only to see his progress that season hampered by a stress fracture to his back.
He was also given the captain’s armband at Norwich, where he made 27 starts and seven sub appearances in the Championship last season following the team’s relegation.
The way he took his goal at Blackpool — driving home an emphatic finish after a corner had been flicked on by Ryan Yates — underlined he will offer a goal threat for Forest as well, even if it is his defensive instincts that will be most important in the capital this weekend and, potentially, when Forest head to Championship side Bristol City for their FA Cup fourth-round tie next Friday.
It will also be interesting to see if Aguilera, the 20-year-old Costa Rica international who made his first-team debut as a sub in the Carabao Cup against Burnley in August, also has a part to play following his bright cameo off the bench in Blackpool. He showcased his technical ability on a difficult pitch — as well as a physical robustness — as Forest battled to a 3-2 win after extra time.
With six away on international duty and five out injured, all available members of Forest’s squad could have a part to play.
Aguilera will also have a role to play at Forest in the weeks ahead (Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“He had a good impact,” said Nuno of Aguilera. “He is still a young boy. He has a lot of talent, (though) he needs to make better decisions. But he did well in difficult circumstances.
“Every player in the squad is important. Every moment is important. When we are at the training ground, in meetings, in the hotel — we must always be together. The bond of the players has to be stronger than ever through the difficulties we are going to face.”
(Top photo: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
1 Like
My ratings:
Turner: 6
Montiel: 6
Murillo: 5
Andrew: 7
Tavares: 7
Yates: 7
Mangala: 8
Danillo: 7
Dominguez: 6
Hudson Odoi: 5
Wood: 6
Subs:
Williams: 7
Aguilera: 5
Forest deserve relegating for wearing that kit
Is there no Div 2 on today to keep you occupied?
2 Likes
Christ Arsenal live up to the old adage of a boring side. Spent the first hour trying to execute the perfect goal, without creating much of substance. 82% possession all for nothing. Nauseating stuff.
It took Andrew being asleep to Jesus’ presence at the throw in and Turner’s usual woeful goalkeeping skills to give Gooners the intiative. Don’t get me started on that useless cunt Montiel for the second goal. World Cup winner my hole. Arsenal deserved the win of course, but by Christ they’d put you to sleep.
If we don’t have a goalkeeper signed in the next 18 hours, I would really worry for us. As it stands, the Yank between the sticks is a much greater threat to us than any PL points deduction
On the plus side, Murrillo was outstanding, as was Andrew (first goal aside). Dominguez, Danillo, Neco and Gibbs White all put in momentous shifts. Taiwo caused Saliba and Gabriel all kinds of problems when introduced at the break. Very well taken goal. Great to see him and Elanga back.
RATINGS:
Turner 6
Montiel 6
Andrew 7
Murrillo 9
Toffolo 7
Mangala 7
Danillo 7
Neco 8
Dominguez 7
Gibbs White 8
Wood 6
Subs:
Taiwo 8
Hudson Odoi 6
Elanga 5