Bournemouth literally just had a run of 2 points from 12 in Nov/Dec while second....

Would be harsh on Rothwell though. He was very good defensively today, and quiet but decent offensively I thought.

Khadras got some excellent raw ingredients - pace, trickery, can strike a ball well. I doubt we'd get him, but as a "fixer-upper" like Rothwell or Brereton, I think there's a lot of potential. All he really needs to do is learn to make the simple pass at the right time. But I agree his decision making is so poor at the moment we can't rely much on him over the next three months. Goals and assists will be more surprises than expectation.

Thought we were very good in the second half both offensively and defensively. Though as per the last half dozen games couldn't finish any of our opportunities. The first half was absolutely abysmal and best forgotten. Not a terrible point but you do wonder how we are going to make the playoffs if we can't score.

Rothwells put a real shift in defensively and Breretons started to play a bit more like Diaz.

Something needs to change. Both our wing backs have been really really poor, and this system is all about the wing backs. JRC is having an absolute shocker, and Giles for someone with such a reputation continues to be massively disappointing. I'd get Pickering on at half time, and maybe consider Khadra on for JRC.

For me JRC looks a lot fitter today.

I look at Bruce and I genuinely worry about his health. Looks really really unfit. They've set up tactically perfect for us. Just need to finish the opportunities when they come.

We look a lot more dangerous against 4 at the back. Steve Bruce not done his homework.

Copy paste error - Giles at LWB

I'd say if we're in the same system it will just be a straight swap for Dolan, partly because he played well on Wednesday and partly that he presses excellently which is a big part of the false 9 role.

There's a lot at stake, a bit of arguing and tempers is healthy tbh. You wouldn't want the players to be passive. If Pickering is back it does raise the possibility of switching to 442 Kaminski Nyambe. Ayala. Wharton. Pickering Dolan. Travis. Rothwell Giles Gallagher. Brereton No one really plays 442 anymore but I think it could suit us. Would get Brereton and Gallagher closer together and allow us to try and get the ball into the box earlier. We need to try something different to break the cycle.

To be fair Forest are the first team that have comprehensively opened up our defence since Fulham. Apart from that Eaves from Hull got a lot of joy individually, and everyone else has been really limited it what they could create. Will be interesting to see if other clubs can recreate Forests success.

Thought Gallagher was really good too, and he offers more height for crossing. If Dolan plays I think it will be with us sticking with 343 and he comes in for Buckley.

I think we need to try something different. The 343 has not been working as well. Id go 442 and try and make the most of Giles but the issue we have is who to play left back? Don't think we can give that a go until Pickerings back. So probably have to go 3 at the back but maybe try and drop an extra midfielder into the central three and get the two up top to be closer together and in and around the box rather than running the channels. Kaminski Van Hecke Ayala. Wharton. Nyambe Buckley Travis. Rothwell Giles Gallagher. Brereton

Buckley will be dropped for Dolan next game I think.

It's was weird - the entire game we were looking for the long diagonal to Zeefuik who did nothing with it. Giles was starved of the ball. Forest did a good marking job in him but was expecting much all. Want him to be successful but Zeefuik seems no offensively better than Nyambe and defensively much much worse.

Forest have been much the better team. Probably the only team except Fulham to come to Ewood and look clearly on top this season. Basically did us at our own game with the same system. We struggled to create anything much except when they gave the ball away. They regularly created decent chances. That said we played really well when we went down to 10, so credit there. Dolan was very good, Gallagher had some good moments. We rattled them. But we're in a tricky spot - the system that did us so well until Christmas now looks like it's been found out completely. Do we stick with it or change things? Not looking great.

Average points required to finish second over last 10 years is 87.7 points. We are on 53 pts now, with 16 games to play. To hit 87.7 points we need 35 points - an average of 2.2 points a game. Or to put it another way : 12 wins from 16, or 10 wins and 5 draws from 16. To me seems a very challenging total even if we win at Forest. Bournemouth and QPR have 2 games in hand so looks a bit better for them. Around 2 pts per game. That said this year given all the top teams except Fulham are dropping points left, right and centre the target total for second is likely to be lower than 87 pts. The lowest total for second in the last 10 years was 79 points. That would give us a target of 26 points from 16 games which feels much more achievable - 1.6 points a game, or 8 wins and 2 draws from 16. I suppose when you boil it down it all comes down to whether a team can put together a really good run and put the pressure on everyone else. Hopefully that will be us again.

You could say that about all of our players with maybe the exception of Buckley. Choosing the best pass in final third a challenge for us.

I would broadly agree with that team. Buckley is one of our best players but looks like he needs a rest. Also could be used from the bench quite effectively either in midfield or false 9. Only change I would make is to start Khadra as he has goals and Forest are likely to give us lots of space in behind which will suit him. Also think Gallagher is better through the middle. So : Kaminski Lenihan Van Hecke Wharton Nyambe Travis Rothwell Giles Khadra Gallagher Brereton Subs: Pears, Ayala, Zeefuik, Davenport, Johnson, Hedges, Buckley

Yes it was a poor goal but pretty much their only opportunity. It was a very good defensive display, with good chances created for us, only real issue was the finishing. Looking at Giles' quality from the left I think Gallagher at the back post is going to be a key conduit for goals for us. I think he would have got on one of those yesterday. That said I wonder if he's so good we just become a bit one dimensional. All we did was give it to Giles when Rothwell running at them might have been a better option.

Another game where we created by far the best opportunities but couldn't finish.... Giles and Hedges look like decent business. Both look effective. Swansea limited to few chances. Just got to start finishing.

I don't think Mowbray would buy a player if he thought they won't sufficiently press. Seems to be the top of the requirement list.

Rovers seem to have a very good conveyor belt of talent over the last 3 years - anyone got a view on why that is? Down to certain individuals in the Rovers heirachy or more of a structural thing? Club gets a lot of stick for "mismanagement" but in this critical area of youth development we seem to be doing a fantastic job.