Mark Roberts

* right *man* for the job right now.

We were in a coffee shop last week, and a guy was using the entire of the upstairs of the place as his Zoom office. He got irate when we sat down and got in his shot.

I have not idea what industry he was in, but I’m pretty sure he shouldn’t have been discussing what he was in a public space.

This. It’s the same reason we do. He’s one of a relatively small number of YouTubers who cover Japan in that way. Often taking the time to actually speak to people, showcase their stories and communities. Tokyo Lens is another.

He has been looking very promising. Did very well during the summer for Botafogu in the World Club Cup.

Dyche is the right many for the job right now. Should have gone for him immediately after Nuno.

It’s almost as if when you appoint a manager who *doesn’t* try to remake the wheel, who ignores the strengths of the squad, constantly exposes its weaknesses and just expects everyone to change to suit them? You can win matches.

Who knew? Clearly not Ange Postecoglu.

#NFFC

This.

Any pundit who had actually *watched* Forest, or spoken to supporters who had, would know how bad things had gotten.

The lazy, condescending and assumptive tone taken by so many reporting on this situation has been ridiculous. Forest are not a side many pay real attention to. It shows.

There’s a huge amount of logic in this appointment. This is going to feel like something he needs to prove to himself. It’s clear he feels gutted that he never got to play for the club, after being there at youth level. But he and his couching staff are invested in Forest.

I… think I’ve got news for you, Post.

He brings a defensive focus which better matches how we were under Nuno. And in particular defending set pieces, as opposed the easy goals Ange had us concede from those.

He brings wingers back into the formation. We used to score a lot of goals from those.

Yes, Marinakis has to take some responsibility for this. Hi hired him. But he’s been smart enough to realise when something cannot work. Sean Dyche seems like a logical hire for him, based on the current situation.

I would never have wanted to see Nuno leave, but that was a massive clash of personalities that span out of control fast, and unpredictably so.

Postecoglu was 100% the wrong choice. Tried to change everything. Did not homework. Froze players out by removing their position in his formation.

I’d disagree on that. Marinakis built Forest up from a heck of stripped back mess the previous owners left it in, got the club promoted back to the top flight and into Europe. Behind the scenes the improvements he’s brought about are immense.

Unfortunately, he got taken in by Postecoglu’s patter.

This. Ange has shattered a lot of the unity built up at the club over Nuno’s tenure. This might help a lot. Two players there involved in Forest’s last European campaign for a start.

Exactly. And he’s bringing several former players back to the club with him as coaches. You’ve got to hope that this helps to build club unity.

[pulled over]

DOG COP: you ran a gray light

DOG DRIVER: but it was still gray when i went through the intersection

DOG COP: no it was gray

Why?

Really, though? Dyche plays the same formation as Nuno. Likes tight defence like Nuno. Makes use of full backs and wingers like Nuno. Those are the strengths the Forest squad has.

Ange’s determination to play to the squads weaknesses is why he couldn’t win. No wingers. Defence halfway upfield.

This. Seriously.

It may not be a glamour move. But it might be what the club needs right now. And he’ll want to prove something at Forest. Never really got his chance as a player.

Certainly not bombproof. But I very much feel he’s a better fit for the squad and the club than Postecoglu. Would I have taken Silva? Sure. Absolutely. But that’s a big release fee.

This is not the squad he had at Everton. This is a squad which should settle relatively easily into his style of play.

Lol.

Truthfully though, Dyche does favour wingers. That’s where our greatest success came last season. We have 4 strong players for the wings, who struggled for games and position under Ange.

This. Exactly this.

I have more faith in this approach working for the club right now. Matches the squad. Can restore the unity which Ange shattered.

Another new appointment with big plans, and different elaborate tactics, is the most dangerous gamble.

And honestly he probably feels he has something to prove. Started in the youth setup under Clough. After a nasty injury ended up at Chesterfield without getting a first team chance. He’ll want to succeed at Forest.

Who cares if it’s not a glamour signing.

Not really. Too early for that.

But after the damage Ange did, pulling tactics all over the place, keeping players out because their position no longer existed in his formation, and doing all he could to shatter Nuno’s team (hoping to and failing to build his own)?

Maybe he’s what’s needed?

* need their self belief restoring.

When team spirit and club unity is shattered you need to reaffirm that. Having a couple of coaches with a long held connection to the club around, who also made it to the Quarter Finals last time we were in Europe, may be of help.

The squad is strong. The players need to belief restoring.

He at least has some connection to the club. And he’ll likely bring Stone and Woan back with him.

The squad is good. The self belief is gone. The unity was shattered by Nuno leaving and Ange opting up believe it was his way or nothing. Total disrespect for the players.

But is it a massive change from Nuno?

That should be the real question.

Nothing Ange attempted had anything other than a vibe of disaster about it. Tactically naive. Throw everybody forward. Hope you can score enough before you’re knackered, that conceding doesn’t matter.

It. Didn’t. Work.

Can’t be any worse than the tactically naive rubbish we’ve had to watch over the past month.

We’ve got to give whoever replaces Ange the benefit of the doubt. I mean he can’t do much worse.