10 Aug 2025 19:35:17
A bit of a strange post, I know - but please bear with me on this.
As some of you know, I play wheelchair rugby which is a 5-a-side team sport. The team that I play for has a very similar playing style to Forest last season - we absorb pressure and then we counter with quick, flowing 'pass and move' tactics which tends to overwhelm our opponents. We score heavily accordingly.
However, similarly to Forest, opposing teams have now 'found us out'. They have become wise to our fast counter-attacking style and now set up against us to negate that.
We have found a way to counter this as maybe Forest could do - 'Route One'. We've discovered that the threat of an occasional 'long hoof' down the middle puts doubt in our opponents' minds as to their tactics against us.
A strange analogy I know, but the principles remain the same. Maybe a training ground move Forest could consider to keep our opponents on their toes?
10 Aug 2025 21:08:09
This is an interesting post Legolas.
I make a few comments….
Firstly, Nuno is primarily a defensive coach, having his teams well organised and quick on the counter. His mentor in Portugal was, after all, the greatest defensive coach of his generation, Jose Mourinho.
Whilst it’s good to have several strings to your bow tactically, the “ rope a dope” style will be Nunos preferred tactic ( except in extremis chasing a game for example).
Secondly, it’s ok for opponents to work us out, mate, but can they do anything about it? I don’t know if you’ve been following the Women’s Rugby World Cup in which England are favourites, 27 games undefeated, routinely 6 nations Champions and their last defeat was 4 years ago to the Champions New Zealand by 34 pts to 31, with the last kick of the game, England being down to 14 since a very harsh red card in the 17th minute.
Englands success was down to the overwhelmingly powerful and athletic pack, led by the uncompromising Marly Packer. Every opponent knows their preferred method is to drive it up through the pack, line out, catch and drive, unstoppable rolling maul. However, they also have an incredibly fast and strong set of backs too, with Ellie Kildunne and Abbey Dow out wide. So, they can score from anywhere.
It’s ok knowing about the tactics but we thrashed the French 40 points to 6 last night, the second best of the Northern Hemisphere teams. They knew what was coming but could do nothing about it.
10 Aug 2025 21:36:39
Our rope a dope style relied so much on Elanga that without that outlet we’re lacking that blistering pace.
If given the choice would you have preferred to keep Elanga or MGW?
10 Aug 2025 22:11:22
When I sit on the toilet in a morning I feel the same
I know what's coming.
10 Aug 2025 22:22:48
By the way Lego there’s a good argument that our greatest ever coach, Mr Brian Howard Clough, was a defensive / counter attacking genius. Solid defence centered on Big Larry and Burns, a world class goalkeeper Shilton behind them, McGovern in front of them ( I read his autobiography, he was a cross country champion at School despite his missing vertebrae and could run all day). With him a talented fast, box to box midfield O Neill, Archie, Bomber Bowyer etc and a little fat winger who could put them on a plate for Woodcock, Withe and later Birtles.
Does this seem a somewhat familiar set up my friend?
10 Aug 2025 22:34:31
I knew that you would 'get' my post Stokey as we're on the same wavelength. I hope others can do so too.
Forest have a tried-and-tested formula to winning games. Why try to mend what isn't broken? OK - we've been sussed. However, as per my wheelchair rugby analogy - IMO we just need to 'tweak' our approach and have a few other cards up our sleeves in order to keep winning games in the same manner.
Frankly, I think that we have wasted our pre-season games by trying to be something that we are not. Truthfully, I thought more of Nuno than that.
10 Aug 2025 23:24:56
Carlo - I said from the start that personally I'd prefer to lose MGW than Elanga. If been consistent at least - I still think that selling Elanga was a massive mistake on our part.
11 Aug 2025 07:45:00
MDTP, mate, we all know what’s coming after your morning “ablutions “. Unfortunately, it then makes it way in this direction …………. ?????????.
11 Aug 2025 08:34:56
As always Stokey.
11 Aug 2025 11:15:08
Lol you come out with bit yourself stokey, ??.
11 Aug 2025 15:44:31
I m pretty “regular “ in that regard DTP. ?????.