Nottingham Forest 1 Middlesbrough 0
Ward 70
This is not a crisis but Middlesbrough have now lost three of their last four games and their lead at the top of the table has been eroded to the bone.
This is only the second time that Boro have lost back to
back games in the Championship under Aitor Karanka since he was appointed as
manager back in 2013. The Teessiders have come a long way since then, but this
defeat has brought an uneasy feeling with it and the advantage that with was
built up over Christmas has now vanished.
Hull are the new Championship leaders after Boro’s defeat at
home to Nottingham Forest, though Karanka’s side are still only one point
behind them with a game in hand.
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| Jamie Ward celebrates the only goal of the game (Picture from dailymail.co.uk) |
Boro also remain five points ahead of Brighton in third place,
but it was the manner of this defeat which will leave fans dreading that a
second season in the play-offs could still be on the cards.
Forest arrived at the Riverside in good form and are now
unbeaten in their last 11 league games, after Jamie Ward’s goal 20 minutes from
time. Even so they are still some way off the play-offs and are a side Boro would
expect to beat, especially home turf.
The hosts were without centre back Ben Gibson for the second
game in a row and lost George Friend mid-way through the first half due to a
shoulder injury.
It was no coincidence that their compact defence looked more
vulnerable than what it has done over the past month, while upfront they lacked
a cutting edge to capitalise on having 64 per cent of possession.
It has been an area in which Boro have looked a little light
since the start of the season and on this evidence the offensive additions of
Ross McCormack and Matt Phillips, who have been linked with big money
transfers, would be worthy additions.
As for Forest this was a significant win as they became only
the second team to beat Boro at the Riverside this campaign.
Dougie Freedman’s side are staring to recover after a slow
start to season, and this is only the second time that they have recorded back
to back wins following a 3-0 victory over Bolton last weekend.
Freedman made one change from that game with Jack Hobbs
replacing Nelson Oliveira. Karanka also made just one alteration from the Boro
side which suffered a shock defeat to Bristol City, with David Nugent replacing
Kike upfront.
The early signs looked promising for the hosts, who almost
took the lead after seven minutes when Daniel Ayala headed an in-swinging
corner inches wide of the post.
From open play Boro did their best to up the tempo, but they
have often lacked the invention to break down their opponents down at the Riverside
when teams have setup with organisation and discipline.
Cristhian Stuani has been Boro biggest threat with eight
goals in the league. He was once again deployed on the right and came close to
opening the scoring when Stewart Downing knocked the ball into his path from
Adam Clayton’s path, but the Uruguayan’s shot was blocked from inside the area.
Forest appeared a threat going forward in the opening exchanges
without testing Dimi Konstantopulos in the Boro goal.
However after a lively 20 minute spell, the visitors
resorted to making themselves difficult to beat as Boro monopolised possession.
Emilio Nsue was getting forward to good effect from right
back and on 39 minutes his cross seemed to be heading perfectly onto the head
of Stuani who failed to make contact with the ball.
Boro’s backline was then disrupted when Friend was forced to
make way and was replaced by Tomas Kalas. That meant a significant reshuffle with
the Czech defender slotting in at centre back and Fernando Amorebieta moving to
left back.
The Boro manager made another change before the second half
when he brought on Adam Forshaw for Downing. The only explanation could have
been an injury, as Forshaw was forced to play the unfamiliar role behind the
striker.
It was further evidence that Boro are short in the attacking
areas of the pitch. A more suitable replacement would have been Diego Fabbrini,
but the Italian wasn’t even on the bench and has been linked with a move to
Birmingham this transfer window.
Forest were sharp out of the blocks after half time and
twice went close to taking the lead. First Ward fizzed a shot into
Konstantopulos’ grasp from the edge of the area, before Ben Osborn hit the post
from a tight angle inside the box.
Minutes later it was Boro’s turn to hit the woodwork when
Leadbitter tried a spectacular free kick, where he flicked the ball up before volleying
it onto the crossbar.
Nsue continued to be a constant outlet on the right but
should have opened the scoring when he headed Adomah’s cross over the bar from
close range.
Minutes later Forest made the decisive breakthrough with a
swift counter-attack down the left. Chris Burke led the charge and showed good
awareness to cut the ball back to Ward who was roaming in space on the edge of the
area. From there he had time to take a touch before curling a shot past
Konstantoplos, who was a slow in getting down to it.
Karanka through on Kike for the final few minutes but it was
too little too late as Boro slumped to their second defeat in as many weeks.
Player Ratings
Dimi Konstantopulos
6- Made a couple of saves, could have got down quicker to the goal
Emilio Nsue 6.5-
Gave an attacking option on the right but missed a glorious opportunity
Daniel Ayala 6- Had
to adjust to a changing back four
Fernando Amorebieta 5- Was vulnerable to mistakes after moving to
left back
George Friend 5.5-
Forced off before half time with a shoulder injury
Adam Clayton 6.5- Kept
winning the ball back despite a few loose passes
Grant Leadbitter 6- Tried
to urge the team forward, but couldn’t provide an attacking force
Albert Adomah 6- Looked
a threat early on but faded in the second half
Cristhian Stuani 5-
Was largely ineffective and missed a great change
David Nugent 5- Was anonymous
for most of the game
Subs
Tomas Kalas 6- Brought
on in defence after Friend’s injury
Adam Forshaw 5.5-Tried
to get forward but wasn’t suited to the position behind the striker
Kike – Only came on for the last ten minutes, not enough
time to give a fair rating
My Boro Man Of The Match Adam Clayton
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