Ipswich Town (H) 30/11/24

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Ipswich Town

Wood 49'

A tough run of fixtures leading up to Christmas. All teams fighting for Europe but one. Losing to Newcastle and Arsenal isn’t a cause for concern but to Ipswich, with one win all season, would be. A chance to get points on the board amongst this difficult run.

The two previous games have been something to forget from a Forest perspective. Two losses in a row, conceding six goals after having the second-best defensive record this season. A lack of fight and the right attitude after doing so much right. As for Ipswich, they were on a three-game unbeaten streak, including their first win at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium. Liam Delap creating a name for himself and attracting interest from bigger clubs but Forest had their star striker in Chris Wood too.

A mild 3pm November afternoon at the City Ground. Could it get much better? The game kicked off after the Forest faithful belted out ‘Mull of Kintyre’. The Reds got off to a flying start from the off, winning a corner after 40 seconds. Morgan Gibbs-White almost scored from the resulting corner from Elliot Anderson. He jumped up to head just wide of the near post but from my angle in the lower Clough stand, we all thought it had gone in as it rippled the side netting! Forest continued their dangerous attacking, being denied by a clearance off the line. Anderson whipped a ball into the box which evaded the head of everyone and landed at the feet of Callum Hudson-Odoi at the back post. He delayed to try and find the right angle but when he finally struck Muric came out to block the shot. The ball hit Gibbs-White before ricocheting back to Ryan Yates, 15 yards out, whose first time volley was blocked by Sammie Szmodics on the line.

Forest tried to continue their dominant start but grew frustrated at Ipswich’s dark arts tactics: slowing the game down by time wasting at throw-ins, goal kicks and persistent fouls. The referee wasn’t helping, not booking players and putting a stop to it so the whole Forest crowd began to make their views heard. Ipswich were denied the opener by a goal line clearance of their own. Burgess got up well, from a corner, amongst the crowd and his header looked to be nestling in the far corner but to Forest’s rescue was Ola Aina on the line. Ipswich were still on the hunt for an opener. Delap found Omari Hutchinson, running into the box on the right hand side. He created an angle to fire a low shot but Matz Sels got down well to deny him. The ball looked to land back to the feet of Conor Chaplin for a simple finish but Delap took it off him and the Reds could clear. A pretty 50/50 half.

Nuno’s halftime team talk must have worked because Forest started the second half bright, landing themselves a penalty. Gibbs-White looked to make his way into the box but was stopped by a tackle from Cajuste. The ball bounced back to Anderson who wriggled away from Ipswich bodies before passing to Jota Silva in more space. As he broke into the box he was tripped over by Szmodics’ stuck out leg. Referee Tony Harrington pointed to the spot and after a quick VAR check, Chris Wood stood up to take. He took his run up before blasting straight down the middle to fire the hosts in front and equal Brian Roy’s record of 24 Premier League goals for Forest.

Just minutes later, Murillo thought he had doubled the Reds’ advantage but his header was denied by a brilliant save from Muric. Anderson’s corner found Jota unmarked at the back post, his side-footed volley went back into the danger area. Murillo rose up but his attempt was tipped onto the crossbar by the Ipswich goalkeeper before being cleared by fellow teammates. When did he ever do that in a Forest shirt? Ipswich started to struggle now and lacked any creativity going forward. Forest’s recent record against promoted sides was in their favour with five wins and three draws in their last eight. No real chances fell to either side as the game began to close but the visitors pinned Forest back deep into their own half. The Reds stayed resilient and in their tight shape to eliminate any danger.  A last minute corner where a 6’ 6 Muric came up to find an equaliser made the City Ground nervous but Forest cleared to take all three points and go back to winning ways.

Yesterday was not our best performance but the best teams always find a way to win and we managed to do that. It was such a boost to have both Gibbs-White and Anderson back in the team and you can see the difference they made. We did well to eliminate their biggest threats and we went back to keeping a clean sheet. Our final attacking play was lacking to make us more comfortable within the game but the boys worked really hard and put in a good shift. Penalties are always a nervy one for me as I crouch down, face the other way with my head in my hands and hope for the best. I wait for the loud cheer or the quiet cheer and to hear the loud one was so relieving. The fact we had two other penalty shouts sent my heart rate through the roof! We won the important one in our tough run and on we look to City away which might not be too happy.

Forest: Sels; Williams (Moreno 77'), Murillo, Milenkovic, Aina; Yates, Anderson (Dominguez 71'); Hudson-Odoi (Sosa 88'), Gibbs-White (Morato 78'), Jota Silva (Elanga 78'); Wood 

Ipswich Town: Muric; Davis, Burgess, O'Shea, Tuanzebe (H. Clarke 79'); Morsy, Cajuste (Taylor 74'); Hutchinson (Broadhead 79'), Chaplin (Burns 74'), Szmodics (J.Clarke 64'); Delap