Fans of Nottingham Forest have been reacting to Paul Taylor’s tweet, in which The Athletic journalist relays Jonathan Woodgate’s post-match comments following Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Middlesbrough on Monday night.
Forest found themselves trailing 2-1 as Sabri Lamouchi’s side pushed for an equaliser throughout the second half and eventually managed to do so in the 86th minute, with Lewis Grabban bagging his 17th goal of the season.
However, Boro goalkeeper Aynsley Pears claimed that Grabban had fouled him before the striker scored Forest’s second, something which Jonathan Woodgate agreed with in his post-match comments.
The Boro boss stated: “I thought the decision at the end by the referee was the wrong decision. Nine out of 10 times, that gets given as a foul, but against us, it doesn’t get given. On another day, we get that decision. All I want is a bit of consistency. Sometimes you need a rub of the green at times and we didn’t get it.”
In reaction to his comments, Forest fans have taken to social media, with many pleading Grabban’s innocence, while others claimed that Woodgate’s comments were embarrassing.
Woodgate has just arrived for his press conference. Says Grabban's goal would have been ruled out 'nine times out of ten'. Not sure about that. It is one of those that might occasionally be ruled out – but wrongly so. There was no foul #NFFC
— Paul Taylor (@nottmtails) March 2, 2020
The guys an embarrassment.
— All about the reds (@Gavinthered78) March 2, 2020
Just gotta hit the gym that keeper does or he can just walk round him as the ball was in the air for about 5 seconds
— ? (@elliswhite04) March 2, 2020
He did nothing wrong, they just expected it to be a foul because he held the keeper back, not to forget, their player literally stopped when it was about a couple ft in front of him and watched it in
— ????? (@Bvsnffcsg01) March 2, 2020
He’s very much deluded Paul… keepers get too much protection but this wasn’t anywhere near being a foul..
— R1CHJB (@R1CHJB) March 2, 2020
A decent goal, don’t know what the fuss is about, supprised woodgate has a job this morning
— FOREST (@FOREST45152358) March 3, 2020
Bang on. Grabban got himself between the keeper and the ball and the keeper then stepped into Grabbans space. No foul, perfectly good goal.
— Justyn (@justyl0ve) March 2, 2020
What do we think?
Regardless of the controversy surrounding Grabban’s late equaliser, failing to beat a side 18 places below them in the table will surely not have pleased Forest fans.
Although Forest remain in the play-off positions, their dreams of automatic promotion are quickly fading.
In only taking a point from the Riverside Stadium, Forest are now eight points adrift of second-placed Leeds United, and with just 10 games of the season remaining, time is running out for the Reds to try and catch United or West Brom in the automatic promotion places.