I think it's very simplistic to blame Richards for the first goal - Guehi somehow ended up miles out of position tracking McBurnie 20 seconds into the game, and they then had an overload on Richards side to exploit. He could probably have got tighter as Diaz got into the box, but the damage was done when McBurnie took Guehi out of the game with his flick round the corner, and Hamer switched the play.

Look at the still as Hamer hits his pass - if Richards is any wider there, he's got a simple pass to put the central player through on goal, which is far more dangerous - Richards was correct to be narrow, and the bigger question is why we're exposed 3 v 3 20 seconds into a game...

Edited by EverybodyDannsNow (31 Jan 2024 4.18pm)

good point, however, when the ball did go left Richards was very slow closing him down, almost allowing him to pick his spot

Brereton Diaz prefers to play off the left and is a powerful runner with the ball.Having watched him a few times I have seen him cutting in from the left on to his favoured right-foot and shooting.Had Richards forced Brereton Diaz on to his left,which I was urging, the outcome would have been different.

Edited by Willo (31 Jan 2024 6.42pm)

Great Post. I like everyone else assumed Richards had gone awol when it was Guehi out of position. Didn't Brentford score a similar goal against us, a dummy or flick in the first 3 minutes getting our defence out of position and they scored. That time Clyne wasn't close enough to the scorer but I don't recall him getting the stick that Richards, and by implication, the manager for picking him, has received on these pages.

Thought we played really well first half after the early setback and deserved more goals but United (I refuse to call them Sheffield) changed things and made us work harder for opportunities second half. Eze and Olise were magnificent in a pressure game.

No problem with the subs as such but our collective lack of quality and ability to retain the ball once they went off was frightening.

I don't think last night was the time to bring on Franca or Ahamada who've both been very unconvincing IMO. Ozoh did quite well when he came on but took a few minutes to find his feet and play himself into the game.

Guehi and Richards share responsibility for the first goal, but there was more to it. At that point in the game, the midfielders weren't in play, so Richards ended up in a 1-v-1 in a lonely position with space all around. Still, most of the credit goes to BBD for a exceptionally clean cut and wonderful strike.

Guehi also wasn't in top form defending Forest's second goal, and his belated toe deflection probably made the difference between a routine save and a goal. Andersen gave a sour look, whether at Guehi's or Henderson's play, or our bad luck, I couldn't be sure.

Oh – and please start Johnstone, Roy.

Edited by CT Charlie (01 Feb 2024 5.36am)