Can't see the Harewood for the trees

Star Geezer - Delroy Facey

The result was perhaps a little cruel on the Clarets, but in order to win games, a much more determined and ruthless approach to goal is needed if the better teams in this division are to be matched let alone beaten. Here was a harsh lesson in finishing and front play, particularly for the unimpressive Ian Moore, playing without heart and endeavour, leaving Facey to carry the threat.

In what was an open but largely dull first half, Clarets began the brighter and pacy Facey's first run down the left deserved at least to have someone able to keep pace as his drag back went unpunished after only five minutes.

Forest's opening salvo saw their opening goal. A neat one two on the edge of the area between Harewood and Taylor saw the former with an opening and he beat a poorly positioned Jensen all too easily from eighteen yards, the low shot curling in at an unguarded near post.

Clarets were a finding it hard to cope with Forest's neat approach play and the home midfield failed largely to deal with this threat, Grant and Farrelly forgetting that tackling is part of their roles and still an accepted part of the game, as on many occasions Forest were allowed to approach unchecked.

The somewhat strange formation was not working for Clarets. With Chadwick isolated in a left hand wing role and Branch warming the bench, Clarets were restricted to working the ball through an over elaborate Blake and the time taken to build up attacks let Forest organise themselves well before any threat could be posed.

Following a neat corner routine, good hold up play by Facey was let down by Grant's howler as Row Z was found by the poor shot from twelve yards. Only Harewood's control let him down on twenty minutes, as after easily beating Jensen to a low cross, he overran the ball with the keeper forlorn and the ball ran out thankfully for a goal kick.

Back down the other end, Clarets replied but a four man move broke down with no one prepared to shoot in the area, a walk in preferred to a shot. As the half progressed, Clarets increasingly found space hard to come by, Forest's work rate in midfield a factor in Clarets' struggles to get forward, the formation not helping the home sides cause in going forwards.

Five minutes from the break, Facey's pace once again was the cause of problems and despite beating keeper Ward to a loose ball outside of the area, the ball could not be forced home into the gaping goal, the keeper winning two desperate challenges as panic ensued. On the stroke of half time, home penalty appeals were turned down as Moore appeared to be flattened from a bang to rights challenge.

Clearly Stan was unhappy with his first half line up and things were reshuffled for the second forty five. Immediately, Roche, who had not had the best of halves, was replaced by Weller, with Chadwick repositioned in the right wing berth, Clarets adopting a three across the back formation, but maintaining the one up front look.

The shake up nearly paid immediate dividends. After only two minutes, Camara's great whipped in cross found a rather surprised Weller at the far post who could only thigh the ball goal wards, Ward arching and tipping the ball onto the bar to keep the ball out; just.

Clarets moved up two gears and the approach play was much more varied and to the point, Forest's defenders at least breaking sweat in the opening fifteen minute period of the half. The crowd were also brought to life in this period and a neat Blake back heel saw Facey away down the left, setting up May with a headed chance, but it went just wide of the far post.

Star Gazer - Paul Weller

Within a minute Clarets were down the other end, premature goal celebrations dampened as the linesman's flag chalked off Moore's deft chip over Ward following Blake's neat approach play.

Much to everyone's amusement Taylor maintained his two game average, by being booked for persistent fouling, but he was oh so close to finishing off a Harewood centre with all home defenders having given up on the cross.

Camara's next chase back saw him beat the lively Harewood, then having won the ball, he turned defence into attack with a long run across his area and down the wing, his energy levels clearly not a problem.

After a neat turn in the area Facey was a little unfortunate only to hit the side netting with a powerful shot before Farrelly was withdrawn in favour of Chaplow. Former Claret Sonner was booked for time wasting before Forest effectively sealed the win with a quarter of an hour remaining.

From a Forest perspective, this was a good counter attack, Harewood's run down the right saw an inch perfect cross to the far side of the area, superbly chested and volleyed in a sublime finish by Reid. From a Claret perspective, this was a poor goal to concede.

Clarets were left exposed by Harewood's run, the central defenders were AWOL and Jensen stayed at home rather than collect the cross he had watched for an eternity.

Clarets tried to reply with their own version and Facey's deep cross was half volleyed into the side netting by a stretching Chaplow. The lack of a cutting edge in the home side was all too evident, and despite a late replacement of Blake by Branch, the result was never really in doubt.

Bad went to worse as once again Harewood proved to powerful for Camara, able to hold off his marker and Jensen inside the area then turn the ball back to Taylor to sweep home from fifteen yards for his first goal for his new club. Facey was the only one carrying any threat and his last minute effort typified his tireless effort, when after turning Thompson he could only find the side netting with his final shot.

So that was that and Forest trooped off to loud applause from their travelling fans. Despite this Taylor stayed back and applauded all four sides of the ground in an appreciative and well received good bye.

Att:- 12,513, with 90.5% attending.

Paul Weller. I know he only came on as a substitute, but the difference between the permanent midfielders and the "loanees" could not be more stark. Here was a forty five minute performance, lacking pace, commitment and passion. Could do better is an understatement.

One win and only three points from four home games is a major worry. The Clarets current style of play is too laboured, allowing visiting defenders to be well and truly organised before the often laboured approach play nears the danger area. A cutting edge is a much needed aspect of the home sides game as is a strike partner for Facey.

Delroy Facey. Played tirelessly with his pace and strength a constant threat to the visiting Forest defence. A pity he was forced wide on to the right in his quest to create attacks. Didn't let his head go down despite some average support and effort levels from his team mates.

The current small squad can only go so far and achieve so much. It is therefore inevitable that the more fortunate teams in this division will hand out footballing lessons from time to time. It's just something we need to get used to.