Remembrance Fixture Conclusions from the Trees

 

Leicester City	2-2	Nottingham Forest
	(HT 2-1)
Ward OG 7 Nugent 32		Guedioura 22 Cox pen 67

King Power Stadium, attendance: 24,793
BBC Match Report

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• Another referee cost City points. It was not for the first time this season that Nigel Pearson had complaints about a the officials in his post-match interview, but never before has he been so enraged as he was in the tunnel after this fixture. Slamming the officials and TV pundits, Pearson called for accountability of the referee, who made two crucial errors to deny City victory. Zak Whitbread made a good challenge against Simon Cox but was alleged to have committed a foul, whilst a huge handball call at the opposite end was dismissed. Even Forest manager Sean O'Driscoll admitted that his team had got lucky. This is not the first time - and it will inevitably not be the last - that circumstances have conspired against the Foxes this season.
• Second interesting point. From the game.

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Winners

Lloyd Dyer

Perseverance and risk-taking paid-off for City's man of the match against the Trees. Lloyd Dyer used his pace to devastating effect and for once he seemed to have the guts to deliver a ball into the box. In doing so he gave the Foxes a crucial early lead in what was a tense local derby, his cross-come-shot parried into his own net by Forest defender Elliott Ward. Dyer built on that confidence booster and found himself able to shoot at goal on numerous other occasions. With form behind him, the former MK Dons winger is a deadly threat.

Zak Whitbread
The travesty of this game is that Whitbread will not be remembered for his competent defensive performance but for that penalty decision that was so, so wrong. Indeed, Whitbread's game was as good as it needed to be. He is a defender who defends and does little else, not bothering to spread the ball around like Morgan but instead using his height and strength to win the ball and clear it. There is nothing more he needs to do now to prove his value to the team; he is a more than competent step-in at the back.

Wes Morgan
Relishing to appear against his long-time former club, Wes Morgan was the beast in defence he needed to be against a strong attacking side. Marshalling his troops throughout, Morgan was solid enough in defence and in the mind to withstand his old team mates.

Jeffrey Schlupp
Playing in his second-favourite position, young Jeffrey Schlupp performed admirably at left back, using his pace to nullify Forest's wide threat.

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Losers

Martyn Waghorn

A stellar performance perhaps, but Martyn Waghorn's lack of confidence in front of goal is damaging to him and his team. Twice he squandered good opportunities when one-on-one, whilst a good save from Lee Camp denied a bullet header from the 22-year-old. He needs a break to gain form and self esteem. He is getting game time - and with strike partner David Nugent injured, he will continue to do so - but he needs to make the most of it.

Anthony Knockaert
Sometimes it is easy to forget how young a footballer is. At twenty, Anthony Knockaert is still an emerging talent and whilst he has the raw skill to dazzle even at the highest level, he remains a young footballer and makes the mistakes typical of those still with things to learn. In Knockaert's case it is not the footballing ability that is questionable, but his mental maturity. The young Frenchman is still learning the English game and it was never clearer than against Forest, with his naivety visibly obvious in his indecisive passing and shooting. That maturity will come with time.