Nottingham Forest 0 – 0 Barnsley

Barnsley came away from the City Ground with a point and first clean sheet in 14 league games. It was the reds second draw in a row after none previously under Ismael. That is also now five league games without a win. However the three defeats were against the top three in the league and that was followed by two draws where key decisions went against the reds.

There seems to be a bit of doom and gloom around recent results but we are still only six points behind the top six and still well clear of the drop zone. I remain cautious regarding staying up as there’s always one team that falls away like Charlton last season but I believe we have a mid-table squad, providing we don’t sell a few on deadline day.

Without doubt Barnsley should have had a penalty in this one when Helik was fouled but decisions just never seem to go our way, especially at the moment.

Despite that penalty decision it is hard to argue that a 0 – 0 draw wasn’t a fair result in what was one of the worst games of football I have ever had to watch.

Two poor teams on the day playing absolutely no football whatsoever so the game as a spectacle got what it deserved with the score being 0 – 0. But there is yet more frustration with the penalty decision.

This was another game where we were mainly aimless long ball. We have had many where we have played similar but got results playing that way. We are always direct but in some games we find a way to play a bit as well and we need that mix more than we are getting it at the moment.

Collins and Sibbick kept their place for this one ahead of Walton and Sollbauer who can both consider themselves unlucky to be benched but Collins and Sibbick did well again. Two good keepers and central defensive competition is a good position to be in.

It was good to see Jordan Williams get a few minutes after recent injury problems but I also have a problem with that substitution.

Taking Kane off and bringing Styles in to midfield was the right decision. But I’ve got to ask just what Odour has done that wrong to not get a look in at all on that left hand side.

Williams almost immediately put us in trouble when a left foot clearance was required which he didn’t feel comfortable attempting. We could have easily been punished there and then again moments later he lost possession because he doesn’t have a left foot.

This is nothing against Williams. His form was fantastic before his injury but playing him out of position is not the answer when it needs a left footed player on that side, or someone who can use their left foot at least.

He is unlucky that Brittain has played so well but right wing back should be his position and he will have to wait for his chance or play the odd game when Brittain needs resting and not shoe horned in at left wing back in my opinion.

Up front still worries me the most. It’s probably where we have the most players available but unfortunately most are nowhere near good enough.

I am hopeful we can sign a striker or a winger or both who can play in Ismael’s system alongside Woodrow. Morris and Adeboyejo look useful as impact subs. The rest need to be shipped out. I’d possibly still keep Chaplin as well as he has shown that he can score at this level last season but his form at the minute is woeful and I’ve never been a fan of his all round game if he is not contributing with the odd goal here and there.

No mid-week game this week so next up is in form Derby at Oakwell on Saturday. I’d say Derby will start that one as favourites despite their lowly league position but we really need to register three points for the first time this calendar year.

COYR