Friday 8th January 2010, Coca-Cola Championship, The Hawthorns, Kick-Off 7:45pm

 

Albion	1 - 3	Nottingham Forest
Bednar 64	22,873	Blackstock 18
		Majewski 53
		Cohen 56
0	Half-Time Score	1
48%	Possession	52%
6	Shots On Target	6
5	Shots Off Target	6
10	Corners	2
14	Fouls Against	8
2	Offsides	1
2	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0

Albion: Carson (c), Zuiverloon, Tamas, Olsson, Mattock (Koren 65), Brunt, Jara, Dorrans, Thomas, Cox (Miller 77), Moore (Bednar HT). Subs not used: Kiely (gk), Cech, Martis, Mulumbu

Mattock (foul 28), Tamas (foul 43)

Nottingham Forest: Camp, Gunter, Morgan, Wilson, Shorey, Cohen, Anderson, McKenna, Moussi (Tyson 61), Majewski (Perch 79), Blackstock (Adebola 76). Subs not used: Smith (gk), Chambers, McGugan, McGoldrick

McKenna (foul 58), Blackstock (foul 69)

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
Assistant Referees: Andy Newbold (Leicestershire), Gary Stott (Manchester)
Fourth Official: Tony Bates (Staffordshire)

Conditions: Very cold with snow showers

West Bromwich Albion managed to beat the cold snap only to suffer their very own big freeze against Nottingham Forest last night. The Baggies worked behind the scenes to get the game played but must have wished they hadn’t bothered. They were poor for large periods against their promotion rivals, who ended the night swapping places with an Albion side who started the match in second spot.

A dreadful first-half was only brought to life by Dexter Blackstock’s 18th minute strike when Albion’s backline failed to react to a Forest corner. Radoslaw Majewski, so lively in midfield, scored a stunner to put his side two up after the break, before Chris Cohen added the third. Roman Bednar set-up a lively finish but Roberto Di Matteo’s men unable to claw back the two-goal deficit, despite a late spirited effort. The home side could have no complaints with the result. Overall they were lethargic and spent too long simply switched off against their livelier opponents. It was a night where too many of Albion’s key players under-performed.

Gabriel Tamas made his debut for Albion but the bigger surprise was the inclusion of Ishmael Miller, potentially making his first senior appearance since December 2008. Forest, meanwhile, were forced into a late change, with Rob Earnshaw withdrawing following the warm-up with a hamstring problem.

Forest opened the scoring. They were awarded a debatable corner when Jonas Olsson and Dexter Blackstock jostled for the ball in the 18th minute. Majewski’s left-wing corner was volleyed in by Blackstock to put the visitors ahead. Replays of the challenge which led to the corner proved inconclusive, while new signing Tamas won’t have enjoyed his part in the goal, allowing Blackstock to nip past him to execute his shot. Majewski, a one-time Albion target, could have made it two a few minutes later. Chris Gunter’s right-wing run went unchecked by Joe Mattock. His cross fell for the Pole, who slammed his shot high over the goal, despite being left relatively unmarked. Albion did not respond – too often the long-ball would be pumped down the field to Cox and Moore, hardly two of football’s giants, when more intelligent, patient play was needed. The Baggies lacked cohesion. Forest were more willing to play the ball simply and were afforded way too much respect. As a result, and not surprisingly, it didn’t take long for the boos to start from the home fans.

Roman Bednar came on for Luke Moore at half-time but to no avail. Forest doubled their lead in the 53rd minute. Chris Cohen was given far too much space on the left and sent over a looping cross which Majewski struck with venom, to beat Carson. The volley was unstoppable, but questions have to be asked about Albion’s defending. Cohen made it three himself just three minutes later. Again, Albion backed off, allowing the midfielder to slide a low shot past the Baggies keeper. Bednar pulled one back when he raced on to Dorrans’ raking left-wing ball. It gave Albion hope and immediately Robert Koren replaced the mis-firing Joe Mattock. Jonas Olsson saw his 70th minute flicked header tipped away by Lee Camp as Albion tried to salvage some hope amid the desperation. Miller did his best to lift the team when he came on in the 76th minute, coming on for Simon Cox. Forest, meanwhile, were trying their best to take the sting out of the game. Miller went close to grabbing Albion’s second when his 87th minute long-range effort was tipped over. It was his presence and application which perhaps offered the only crumb of comfort for Albion.

Birmingham Mail

Roberto di Matteo:

"It's probably been the worst performance that we've had this season.

Billy Davies:

"It's a very important three points and psychologically it's a very important win, but I genuinely still feel it's only three points at this stage of the season. It's no more.

"We had to come here and justify our position in the league.

"That is why I'm delighted that we've come here against a very good side and played some wonderful stuff.

"We're making very good progress but it's not over until the fat lady sings. There's a lot of games left and we've just got to make sure no complacency comes in."