#lcfc 2 v 1 #afcb

Away Days – I love them!! @poolefoxkurt had passed on his local knowledge as to where to park and where to drink – although admittedly when he said he goes to Kazkazini it did rather sound like he was just using up the letters he had left from a rather difficult game of scrabble

However, both were there and after a 4 hour drive, both were very welcome

The Foxes’ fans were full of questions as to how long it took and which route we took, all eagerly looking forward to a weekend in the sunny south later in the season.

That’s how it should be – a bit of banter and the realisation that we are all just people – no need for the anger and “hatred” so often seen in the actual stadium – however mocked up we pretend

A lot of people like the “old school” stadiums, but not me – I like to sit in a stadium where all the gaps are plugged and their set up of having lots of home fans both to the left and right suited me perfectly.

Yes we were in the corner – but I had a great view – no complaints. So glad I wasn’t seduced by the cheaper price of the “mixed” area – seeing all those kids waving their scarves around and screaming would have driven me mad.

After the warm-up all the players came over and threw their tee-shirts into the crowd. What a shame Addison wasn’t there – we could have used his shirt as a stadium display like we do with the giant flag….

The Foxes fans, less in numbers than Forest, which was a bit disappointing considering they started third, were much more vocal. That doesn’t say much, I appreciate, as the City ground was the proverbial library but there were a good variety of songs.

If I was totally picky I’d say that 23,000 should make a hell of a lot more noise than they did – but being the home team doesn’t guarantee noise – we of all teams should know that

The game started with some early AFCB pressure but Allsop was called to make the first save as the impressive Dyer swept through and smashed the ball point blank at him. He took it in the stomach and it was hit so hard it winded him – I think it would cut me in half

This was to prove a theme. Leicester were so much quicker and more fluid than last week and in Dyer, not only did he torment Francis so badly he didn’t know his ar$e from his elbow, he totally negated the attacking threat of returning Fraser as he constantly had to cover back to help Francis out.

If our right was a worry, at the back in the middle, Ward might have well been wearing oversized shoes and a big red nose. He was so far off the pace it was laughable, making the job that Cook did even more impressive, doing his own job while carrying Ward all over the pitch.

I don’t, however, want to turn this into a negative report – because those points apart, there were plenty to be happy about.

Arter and Collison looked excellent in the middle and Pugh is in the best vein of form I can remember for a couple of seasons – especially good with Daniels back in the side.

It was a Pugh and Daniels combination that fired a low cross to Grabban deep in the box. Turning his man brilliantly he inexplicably fired wide from 8 yards.

I’ve never seen a front 2 so lacking in confidence. I’m not going to fault their effort but they both need a goal so badly it hurts.

Like two World of Warcraft geeks suddenly presented with a living, breathing woman, their over-eagerness buggers up their first touch and it’s all over, for the worse, all too quickly

Straight after the Grabban chance, Leicester tore upfield and the hapless Ward brought down Vardy

Yellow card . tick, tick, tick

Three minutes later, AFCB were 1 down. Dyer rinsed Francis again, cut inside and passed to supposedly out-of-form Nugent. A quick look up and from the left side of the box, he curled a beautiful shot just inside Allsop’s right post

From that goal, even though no blame whatsoever could be levelled at Allsop, like a tall pack of cards, he just fell apart.

He looked like he was seeing ghosts in front of him, so scared did he look and proceeded to pass out hospital ball after hospital ball, putting the already woeful Ward under even more pressure.

This was such a shame because as soon as we got the ball to midfield, we looked fast and spirited and caused all sorts of problems down both left and right – just a shame we had the cutting edge as sharp as a blamange

On 38 minutes a disputed free kick on the half way line had Ward kicking the ball away. All 1007 AFCB fans held our breath. How can someone with his experience be so monumentally stupid?

The referee approached and took him to one side………and just talked. Thank God for that. Tick, tick, tick…..

On 40 minutes, more good work on the right by Rantie and Grabban had the ball quickly move to the middle to Pugh.

As the ball rolled to him, Pugh span a 1000 times in a second, emerging wearing a giant S on his chest and smashed the ball into the top left corner, beyond Schmeichel’s  reach.

What a goal – the AFCB fans, who quite frankly were magnificent the whole half, erupted in a frenzy – we were back in the game !!!

Half Time 1-1

A quick mention of the toilets at the KP Stadium. If I’d wanted an advanced trigonometric  work-out I’d have applied for the Krypton Factor – they had the weirdest angles ever which meant getting in and out was nigh on impossible – I was lucky to make it for the start of the second

Which was just as well, as AFCB were SO much better. Leicester are a good, flowing, attacking side – but so are we – and we really started to show it.

But for some heroic blocking, maybe Rantie or Grabban could have given their confidence a well deserved shot in the arm

Despite all the good play, it was an old fashioned hoof that was Bournemouth’s undoing. On ran Vardy but the ball was well over-hit

Unfortunately, Allsop was in the middle of a thrilling game of Stuck in the Mud with Ward and hadn’t been tagged so of course he didn’t move – he’s no cheater. Surely that is the ONLY reason why a championship keeper doesn’t walk out 5 yards and collect the ball?

Instead, the never say die Vardy collected the ball, rounded the statue and slotted the ball away.

I know getting on Allsop’s back isn’t going to help him, but I think being around the likes of Jalal is having an adverse effect – as being tied to his line was one of his problems

Two minutes later, the game was over. The ticking time bomb that was Ward stuck out a leg and down fell their attacker. I couldn’t see whether he actually made contact – but it almost didn’t matter. He gave the ref a decision to make and after the kicking the ball away incident, the yellow was obvious to all who watched.

Even though the game was effectively dead, with Pitman, Thomas and Elphick coming on – I really did enjoy the way the lads banded together.

There were times that you didn’t know that we were a man down as everyone raised their game. I will say, having Pitman on the pitch, someone who can hold the ball and win headers , really brought a better dimension to AFCB’s game

That should be a real head scratcher for Howe

Final question of the day – when are the training coach going to turn to page two of the long ball manual?

AFCB have definitely got the long ball to the likes of Pugh, Francis and Pitman and they often win the header

Unfortunately, it is on page 2 where all the other players learn to anticipate winning the ball. Without that, let’s face it, rather crucial element, what exactly is the point?

Full Time 2-1

Summary – The irony is that AFCB played a LOT better than last week, yet walked away with nothing. The game was turned on 2 errors. One minor in that Ward really should have been subbed – he was red man walking and Howe was the only one not to see that Hollands’ moment  repeating itself.

The second, more catastrophic error was in Allsop’s decision making. If that had been Rantie running through, Scmeichel  would have kicked both ball and player clear out of the stadium – you don’t get time to dwell at this level

Star Man – Pugh – Excellent going forward AND defending and a goal that just looked so pretty you could dress it up and take it to dinner

 

#nffc 1 v 1 #afcb

The alarm woke me unceremoniously at 6:30 but for the first time in a month I literally jumped out of bed - it was #afcb away-day time

The driver, Matt, was prompt at 08:00 and we were on our way. The first away game since Watford - it couldn't be that bad again, could it .....?

We stopped off at Cherwell services for a usual pre-match fill up

Matt forgot it was a football day and bought sushi. We all just stared - each of us trying to calculate exactly what we could get away with saying without endangering our seat in the car

In the end we bottled it. Said nothing and reached Nottingham by 12:45

Notts county had the brilliant business idea of opening up their sports' bar to the #afcb fans

Although Hooters was appealing..... we took the Magpies up on their offer and I have to say, atmosphere apart, it was by far the best away bar I'd frequented. Good beer and tv's in each booth showing the Blackpool game - bravo

We walked to the City Ground and it wasn't like just stepping up a league, more like 2 or 3 - very impressive

I also got to meet the Forest mascot, Robin Hood - so basically my day couldn't get any better, or so I thought....

As the game was just about to start, Mull of Kintyre came on and just before the whistle went the music stopped and the fans carried on singing - awfully

I'm not sure what affiliation Forest have with the far reaches of Scotland but if they are going to sing that they should at least sing the same verse!!

After sharing half chances, AFCB had the first chance on 6 minutes as Rantie burst through one on one with the keeper but the keeper managed to tackle him before he could get a shot away

Straight from that Cox fired a low shot which Henderson parried and as Cox came in for the ball the players collided and it looked like Henderson might have popped a shoulder

Off he went and Allsop replaced him

The first half then fell into a pattern whereby each AFCB player could either hold the ball up but not pass, or simply could not hold the ball up

This meant that apart from the occasional break, Forest had wave upon wave of attacks as we simply could not keep hold of the ball

Pressure was mounting but with Cook in outstanding form at the back, AFCB kept Forest at arms' length apart from when Cox was put through and shot wide

That was, however, until the 38th minute

A Forest long ball was headed out an fell to Lansbury 

He controlled the ball and sent a 25 yard curling shot into the top tight corner

He'd solved the mystery of how to score (Lansbury - mystery - oh please yourselves....)

I was ready to rant that a keeper Allsop's size should never get beaten from that range but the ground's excellent screens showed the replay and I think even if Flahavan had been sat on his shoulders, it would have still gone in

Fearing the worst the team rallied a little and could even have gone in level

With just seconds to go a long Cook throw caused mayhem in the box and Grabban (I think) swung and hit he ball against the foot of the post

To be fair it was by far the best  thing he'd done all half - he seemed to physically repel the ball

At least, though, he was still better than Surman, who seemed to be pulling a sack of coal around with him

Others had lesser bags but most still seemed to be carrying...

Half Time 1-0

In an ode to 'Confucius says' , at half time, 'Confused Rich says' ... "they whipped us like a tied up goat" - wise words indeed

The second half saw Daniels replace Harte which immediately improved our play down the left but we still sat too deep, gave the ball away too often and invited them on

On 61 minutes Forest had their best chance to seal the game as a player was sent though (couldn't see who) and he rounded Allsop skilfully

Stood in front of a gaping, empty goal, inexplicably he struck the ball wide

Hahahahhahaha

Prior to this I had turned to my fellow travellers and said that I'd never been in a crowd that was SO big, that made so little noise

At that precise point, you could have heard a mouse fart

From that moment AFCB started to BELiEVE

Success was being gained down both left and right and if we actually had someone in the middle.....

Then for me, the pivotal moment. The truly awful Surman went off and Pitman came on and he went straight up front

Finally, someone to hold the ball up and knock on headers

From that moment instead of playing with 10 and carrying 1 - we looked like a team and more importantly, we looked like a threat!!!

The home fans were now not just quiet but nervous

All of a sudden the players weren't as assured and AFCB were picking up more than their fair share of second balls - but time was running out

Shots and headers went close the AFCB fans outsang a 27000 strong home support but it just wasn't happening

Then, in the 91st minute the ball was played up to Rantie's feet

A slight mis-control, a turn then a pass to the left and Pugh was on his own just inside the box

He swung his right peg and scuffed the ball towards the near post

Everything went into slow motion . The keeper moved to the right, the ball went closer and closer and I swear Chariots of Fire was being played over the tannoy

It BLOODY WELL WENT IN!!!!

The crowd went MENTAL - I was jumping up and down throwing my daughter in the air as she screamed in my ear

Neither of us came away with any dignity from that moment - but who cares - we'd equalised!!

The final 3 minutes were akin to water-boarding as we all prayed for the whistle

Their keeper, previously booked for obvious time-wasting suddenly was running to take the kicks like life depended on it but it was too little too late

"Little Bournemouth" as described in the Nottingham Post had come, and they'd got a point

Final Score 1-1

Summary - The fitness coach needs shooting. Miles slower and less energetic than Forest. With that lack of fitness, touch was often poor so we made it so much harder for ourselves than we needed to

BUT and it is indeed a big BUT we have come to Forest and we have competed enough to take a share of the honours

The fans believe, we just need the players to believe that they are not here just for the ride but because the DESERVE to be in the Championship

If the psychologists can sort that out and our key injured players can return, who knows what we can achieve

Star Man - Cook - simply magnificent 

Life doesn't get any better ...

#afcb 5 v 2 #millwall

Walking into the stadium, something was different. Normally, after partaking of a sweet sherry I don my tin hat as I try to get to my seat without being smashed in the face by an errant AFCB shot during the warm up.

But not today – huge nets were behind the goal to protect the long suffering early entrants. It made me think, bit by bit, we are on the up, then as I moved to my seat thought nah, we’re always shit at shooting –this will stop the injury lawyers from getting their share of Max’s millions

At the risk of sounding like Bradbury, for the first 4 minutes, I thought we were very good. The irony. Henderson was quick distributing the ball and Arter snapped into a couple of early challenges and we moved the ball quickly.

Then, on 5 minutes, a long hoof from Millwall was headed straight up in the air, putting AFCB under pressure as it was picked up high in midfield. The ball was quickly slipped through on the left to Waghorn who coolly slotted it past Henderson.

Bugger – still – I’d rather concede early than late.

The crowd, who were excellent before the goal, took it up a notch. Why we are not this loud every game I have no idea but today the atmosphere was excellent, despite Millwall selling out and producing their own fair share of noise.

When I read the line up and saw Arter was in midfield, I thought Howe, master of misdirection, had done a Paul Daniels and pulled a rabbit out of the hat. He was back and raring to go without the press getting a sniff of it.

I was right, but only partially. Raring he was , ready he wasn’t. His injury clearly had reduced his fitness by 50% and his early dashing around quickly had him blowing out of his ar$e.

It was while he was taking his oxygen that the ball came to him. When fitness goes, you lose that time on the ball and with that, control.

Instead of passing back to any of the waiting defence, he passed to the opposition who (again) cleverly passed though to Trotter who finished exquisitely by chipping over Henderson.

This is the difference between League 1 and the Championship. In league 1 you can have a bad half and still win – here, we have a bad 5 minutes and we’re 0-2 down.

To balance the books on Arter, after that howler he started to pace himself better by not running at 100 miles an hour and gradually, through him and Collison in the middle and the running of Fraser, Rantie and Grabban, Bournemouth started to get back into the game.

The defence still made my sphincter constrict every time we were attacked, but we WERE getting through both on the left and right (especially once Fraser and Pugh had swapped sides) but there was one big problem. Actually, there were 2 small problems, our attackers.

Either they were so far off the pace they never made it into the box in time, or they made it there in time only for the ball to sail over their heads. We have 2 of the best wingers in the league but if there’s no-one in the middle, what’s the point? Foreplay without the finish – very frustrating

Fraser, young lad that he is, must have been feeling it more than most and so he took it into his own hands, so to speak….

On 43 minutes, fed up of crossing the ball to the Marie Céleste, he cut in from the left and curled his right foot shot into the bottom left corner of the goal. A fantastic goal and so well deserved on his first half performance

Half Time 1-2 : we were back in the game.

At half time Rich, disappointed last week after I’d forgotten his half time words of wisdom, again offered his Solomon like appraisal – “lacking height up front”. Difficult to argue – I’d like the stats of how many crosses we make to no-one.

On the plus side, in Grabban and Rantie, we have very fast, willing runners and any ball over the top gives us half a chance. If I was to be at all critical, I’d say that they are still not working as an attacking “unit”.

It’s all very well just turning and running, but they tended to work in unison, whereas when you watched Blackburn, their attackers worked together to pull the defence apart and offer themselves up to passes from the back. That, though, I believe will come as they develop the kind of working relationship I think could shake this league up

The second half started with AFCB at full throttle as both Collison and Rantie went close in the opening minutes, with Rantie’s chance going behind for a corner.

Harte trotted over and I must admit I thought there was more chance of Tindall turning up to a game white as a sheet than us getting anything from it but I was proved so happily wrong.

Harte fired it in and Cook rose, unchallenged, to powerfully head the ball in off the cross bar. It was only bloody 2-2 . “Two nil and you F***ed it up” rang round the stadium. Not yet, I thought – that’s just the type of thing to bite us on the ar$e

I needn’t have worried. 3 minutes later, Harte himself saw his left sided free kick crash against the bar with the keeper stranded. This was cleared but it was only delaying the inevitable.

An attack on the right saw the ball bounce out to Arter on the edge of the box, who hit it on the volley, curling it into the far left corner, giving the keeper no chance. The place erupted and the noise was deafening – what a come- back.

Today Arter was AFCB’s Le Tiss – a luxury player for most of the game (as he was at 75% at best) but when it mattered, he shone

Three short minutes later, yes, we are still at 57 minutes, a long AFCB throw in from the right (it was bloody long too ) caused confusion in the Millwall box and Dunne seemed to handle the ball. In fairness, it might have been another offence but as I’d not brought my binoculars and all of the action was at the other end, it was tricky to see.

A second yellow was produced and he was off and a penalty given. How many red cards and penalties have there been in AFCB games this season??? It seems unbelievable.

Grabban stepped up and slotted it into the bottom right corner.

If I was in my early 20’s and had gotten the dog’s abuse the whole game, then scored against my former team, maybe I too would have run to the Millwall fans to celebrate.

Not his proudest moment, I’m sure, but as I say, we were all young and stupid once….

The fans’ reaction too, was, to a certain extent, expected. The rush to the front to shout some more was easily handled by the police / stewards. The throwing of objects, one of which caught Cook on the head, can not be so easily dismissed.

Before the game I was more worried about aging AFCB fans wanting to “relive their youth” so I am, like I believe 99% of their fans, disappointed by the 1% who let their club down

I did, however, enjoy, AFCB fans repeating the Millwall song of “Grabban, Grabban what’s the score” – I think he was more than aware that from 0-2 down, it was now 4-2

The game then petered out as a contest, as AFCB slowed the game down and played keep ball.

There was time for 2 other points of interest. The first came on 87 minutes as Pitman, on a minute earlier for the absolutely knackered Arter, decided to show that he really wanted to be in the starting line-up.

Having lost the ball, he sprinted, and I mean sprinted, full pelt to get the ball back. I have NEVER seen him run so fast. Sure, most of the stewards would still have beaten him but it was still a statement of intent. I haven’t laughed so much in ages

The second was in the 90^th minute as Fraser ran into the box and chipped the ball over the defender’s tired lunge. Having missed the ball, he thought “Sod it, I’m going to connect with something” and he just followed through and took Fraser out.

Now if I was being generous, I’d say that Grabban wasn’t given the ball because of crowd worries, but big cynic that I am, there was no WAY Pitman wasn’t going to take it – it wouldn’t have mattered who he’d have had to punch, that ball was his.

Justifying that decision, Pitman sent the keeper the wrong way and put it into the empty right hand side of the goal

Full Time 5-2

Summary – A very ordinary first half where we made an average side look good. The second half showed glimpses of what talent the players have and what could be achieved. At the moment though, and I appreciate that it’s still early days, we are playing like 11 individuals that need to be introduced to each other in the pre match huddle

We have 2 weeks now (international players apart) to get to work with each other and start to build the understanding that all good teams need to not only play for themselves but to play for the team.

The “team” will be greater than the sum of the parts and when you think of the individuals we have now, and those that are to come back, we could be in for an even better season than I’d have dared hope for

Star Man – Fraser – the catalyst for the best come back I’ve seen at DC and tirelessly selfless in his running

North Stand

Away Fans

East Stand

Main Stand

Millwall do a funny half time dance

South Stand