Fans of Nottingham Forest have been reacting on Twitter to Saturday’s 0-0 draw with QPR at the City Ground.
Forest headed into the match occupying fifth place in the Championship, just one point behind third-placed Fulham and four behind second-placed Leeds.
The Reds started the game brightly and looked to have taken the lead in the 13th minute, as a dangerous Joe Lolley corner was headed powerfully home by Joe Worrall. However, after discussions with his officials, the referee would controversially rule the goal out, as a strong gust of wind had resulted in Joe Lolley delivering a moving ball.
Forest remained the stronger of the two sides before the break, with Sammy Ameobi, Lewis Grabban and Joe Lolley all going close, however, as the referee called the half to a close, the match remained goalless.
As QPR began to even the game out in the second half, Forest still had chances to seal a winner, most notably when Mouctar Diakhaby and Tiago Silva both had efforts blocked off the line by QPR’s Angel Rangel, before Joe Lolley saw a last-minute header drift just wide of the post.
Although Forest remain in fifth following the draw, the result means that their hopes of automatic promotion have taken a substantial hit, as Leeds’ victory over Reading leaves the Reds six points behind United in second.
In reaction to the result, Forest fans have taken to social media, with some blaming the club’s January recruitment for their side’s lack of clinical edge, while others thought that Sabri Lamouchi’s tactics were too easily figured out by their West London opponents.
? Reds blunted by Rangers rearguard#NFFC's promotion hopes were dealt a blow as they were held to a goalless draw by @QPR at The City Ground. https://t.co/vjsjyInP3X
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) February 22, 2020
Terrible recruitment in January
— halftribe (@halftribal) February 22, 2020
2 very poor teams. We looked average at best.
— Mark Shaw (@MarkShaw_Design) February 22, 2020
My thoughts:
? Lacked flair and creativity
? Didn’t look comfortable being favourites
? We cannot play with possession
? We didn’t strengthen in January13 cup finals to go ?
— NFFC Enthusiast (@Nottinghaminhu1) February 22, 2020
Rangers rearguard can only recall there keeper making one save apart from the disallowed goal !!! Recruitment in January has come back to haunt us
— Adam Charles (@ALMCharles1) February 22, 2020
Let’s be honest, it’s no use persistently following up a decent result with a bad one against lesser opposition. We’re easy to work out for weaker teams, no plan B. It’s happening consistently and he really needs to have a different approach up his sleeve, fast, or no promotion.
— TheRealCalculator (@real_calculator) February 22, 2020
We are just not good enough for promotion this season, i really feel sorry for the fantastic support we have generated ??
— Ian Dewey (@IanDewey17) February 22, 2020
First half was good but should kept the same pace and pressure in the second. Lines got more separated and QPR found space with ease. Sabri shouldn’t have used a sub to try and solve that defensive issue. Grabban seemed not 100% fit to play, Tyler should have got in.
— Seminare (@alienduc3) February 22, 2020
What do we think?
Although Forest have produced impressive performances within their last five fixtures – beating Leeds and drawing at West Brom – they have also lost to Birmingham City and Charlton Athletic.
With 12 games of the season remaining, Lamouchi will have to figure out a way to inspire his side in the games that they are expected to win, as dropping points to sides lower down the table could eventually be the reason for Forest missing out on a top-two spot.