Carnero

He does divide opinion somewhat 😂
It's an interesting one as back in his academy days, when it was much easier to catch games live, I watched every game I could and that was a good generation amongst whom, he looked the comfortable standout. He literally scored for fun. He's never looked quick, but he was utterly unerring in front of goal. and we all predicted huge things. Fair to say that things haven't since gone according to plan and he's now struggled to convince a good few coaches that he's worth a regular starting berth, but what I really like about his recent endeavours is that he's now putting in really good shifts wherever he's asked to play. I think he has to start the next game and if he can now add consistency to his goal contributions, he can silence his doubters once and for all. FWIW, I still believe in him and I'd re-sign him in a heartbeat. 

A different angle

And he has worked hard. Watched him play for under 21s recently and he put a real shift in. Man amongst boys - literally.
Fornah, on the other hand, who was also playing, didn't look interested.

Other than the last 15 - 20 mins of the 1st half that was a really good game and performance.  I thought he’d stick with Wilson at RWB but pleased he went for Ward.  I was surprised to see Hourihane on the bench again and I do wonder if that might be how he sets up now at home when the onus is on us to attack more.
If Barkhuizen’s early chance goes in to make it 2-0 I think we’d have gone to get 5 or 6.  The wingbacks were superb going forward and not really troubled defensively.  I think Bradley enjoys being captain.  It looks like he thrives under the responsibility and he looks more composed on the ball than earlier in the season.
First game of an important month out the way.

Few random points, some of which I'm repeating what others have said 
Shape: hoping this puts to bed the idea that this formation always looks like 5 at the back. I'm sure if we play this formation against someone like Bolton it'll fall into a 5 but, when done well, this is how it can look against lesser teams 
Ward: brilliant. Which is great partly because I remember how good he was in pre season and partly it sends a message to every player who has to drop down to the U23s to find a bit of form 
Gayle: always nice to get you first goal 
CBT: could do with said 1st goal, if he scored next game I imagine he'll fly from there 
Sibley: I love an in form sibley
Adams: see above
Bench: even with a few injuries still, that's a strong and versatile looking bench 
 
Port Vale: good fixture to have after 2 defeats 

Naughty step?? A freak injury kept him out for a long time and since he recovered from that, he's been left out of precisely 3 matchday squads, the last two due to a groin injury. When he did get back in the team, his performances were patchy. Two clumsy challenges that gave away costly (and harsh imv) penalties got the crowd on his back at PP and on here. He's made 12 appearances in the 20 games he's been available for selection since that nasty heel injury, but it's only in his last couple of starts that he really seems to have got up to speed again. It's a welcome development which doesn't warrant the thinly-veiled criticism of Warne on a premise that you appear to have imagined.

So they’ve been writing letters to the PGMOL all season, we don’t like that decision.
Now they are paying a TV show referee to write the letters, we don’t like that decision because the rules say….
What’s the goal here? 
Are they hoping to have the game replayed?
Ref’s going a bit lighter on them in the next game?
Or oh it’s Forest this week, I better do my job properly?
Our club has shown what happens when you attack a governing body, EM appointing a ref complainer, going on the  pitch, chasing the ref down the tunnel feels somewhat counter productive.
All it’s going to do is get the refs back up more and say F off, play on.
Not sure EM’s behaviour will win him many fans at the PL HQ either, which when you’re trying to convince them it’s fine to to fail FFP as you sold the player a few months later, not great timing is it.
Let them crack on though, the entertainment it’s providing is quality!

Shared a journalist’s tweet about this in the away tickets thread earlier but figure it’s worth sharing here too, especially with this coming direct from the man himself. NML has asked to be stood down from the upcoming internationals so he can focus on Derby and the run in, top man 👏 
 

Back to back starts at CM/AM twice this season. An assist the first time and a goal the 2nd time.
4 games in a row at the end of last season in an unfamiliar 'AM' role which was more of a supporting striker role (in a 3421). Prior to that he had 2 goals the previous time he had back to back starts (2 games), and only 1 other spell of back to back starts in his best position under Warne (3 games).
Back to back starts at AM once under Rosenior, NEVER under Rooney.
4 goals and 2 assists in the 6 games at AM in 19/20 under Cocu.

Today showed how a back 3 and wing backs can work very effectively IF you have athletic attack-minded wing backs in the team.

Most shots, joint most shots on target, 3rd most key passes, and best pass success out of all starters. A very good offensive game from LWB but wasn't tested much defensively on this occasion.

1Wildsmith 6
35Nelson 7
5Bradley 7
6Cashin 7
23Ward 9
8Bird 7
32Adams 7
4Hourihane 6
17Sibley 8
11Méndez-Laing 7
27Blackett-Taylor 6.5
25Gayle 7
10Waghorn 6
7Barkhuizen 7
12Smith 6

Today showed how a back 3 and wing backs can work very effectively IF you have athletic attack-minded wing backs in the team.

Goal @ 16'05 of this video 
 

Goal @ 16'05 of this video 
 

I think Louie has been an all rounder for the club, he's played left back, central midfield, attacking midfield and today left wingback. I just hope that was not a one off performance because it could be the best position for him. Well done lad, now that makes it hard for Warne to drop him next match.
 

Today showed how a back 3 and wing backs can work very effectively IF you have athletic attack-minded wing backs in the team.

Today showed how a back 3 and wing backs can work very effectively IF you have athletic attack-minded wing backs in the team.

Today showed how a back 3 and wing backs can work very effectively IF you have athletic attack-minded wing backs in the team.