Transcript of MATCH PREVIEW: Nottingham Forest vs Fulham

Hello, everybody, and welcome back to the Garabaldi Red podcast, a Nottingham Forest podcast. It is preview time. It has come round quick after that Brighton draw on Sunday. And to join me to discuss, well, lots to do still with that Brighton game as Nuno Espirito Santo finds that he can be in, well, finds out he can be on the touchline for the Forest Fulham game this weekend. Morgan Gibbs-White is Bill suspended despite an independent panel of referees deciding that he shouldn't have had that second yellow. We'll also discuss the departure of Steven Reid from the club and everything else surrounding by Forest. Lots to get into and joined by the main man, Mark Turner. Mark, I was just thinking, actually, I reckon I see you more than my own family at the minute.

Oh, well, I'm touched. I'm like your big brother, I?

Yeah, maybe grandad, given the age difference. Right. I mean, we'll actually start with Mark. How are you feeling? Forrester are not well into the season now, but We are into the season as such. And we've had a good start. We come into this game with a great point away at Brighton, despite all the controversy surrounding it. And we're back home at the City Ground, the first home game in a while. There seems to be a really good feeling around the club at the moment. And I think all Forest fans will be feeling pretty rosy. Would you agree?

Yeah, absolutely. I think there are quite literally no negatives. I think maybe only the slight grey-lining to otherwise a very clear sky is... That was a play on Silver Lining on clouds. That didn't really come out the way I expected it to. But either way, the only slight fly on your ointment, there we go, we go with that analogy, is not being able to secure the services of another striker in the transfer window. But we speculated at the time that we thought Forest had enough to get along with, at least till January transfer window, and that's proving to be the case. But yeah, I'd say our engagement in the community is very positive. He's seeing some really nice things happening with the club over the last few weeks. I would say Nuno is definitely growing into his role as head coach at Nottingham Forest. And I think the fans are starting to really warm to him now. I think we love not just the team, But I think we love the squad. I think we're really... I think every fan feels really good about the depth we have and the characters we have and the friendships and relationships that seem to be developing among those players and how that's manifesting on the field, of course, in results still unbeaten, what is it now?

Five games into the season. So, yeah, I don't see a downside. I feel very happy about where we are right now, Max, and very bullish about the potential for a successful season hereafter.

Yes, Absolutely. And you're right, Forrest unbeaten in five, one of the only few Premier League teams to remain unbeaten. Just reflecting on that writing draw, and we'll start before we look into Fulham and tactically and how Forrest will, of course, ultimately set up on Saturday. We've got a touch on Nuno sending off, which has been overturned as we record this on a Thursday evening. He basically came out with the news in the press conference that he'd apologized to the officials. He shouldn't have acted in the way he has. And that red card has been overturned the same with the Brighton manager. But it, of course, means Morgan Gives-White is still suspended. You can't overturn a second yellow as much as it probably wasn't one. What did you make to the end of that game? It really did have everything in it, didn't it, Mark? And frustrating, again, Forrest don't want to be talking about referees this season. Nobody wants to be moaning constantly about referees, but we just have no choice sometimes, given the decisions that go against us and Anthony Taylor having to get involved. I mean, you really just couldn't make it up, could you?

So you reached out to me after the game to see if I wanted to join you on a podcast, and thankfully, I didn't have the bandwidth to do so. But I told you at the time, that was probably a good thing. You didn't want me hot off the back of that game. It was incredibly infuriating. So, yeah, I got to keep my own council in my own living room. Just me and Trev, who now is back with you all in blighty. But it was frustrating. Well, a couple of things I want to say. Firstly, about the game itself, I think Forest did a really nice job of managing that game. Yes, I know Brighton definitely on the ascendancy for a good portion of the game, but they're no mugs. They're a really good team. They were at home. I saw some speculation among Forest fans that not having a recognized number six back there with Sangare being injured and Yates being on the bench, maybe Nuno missed a trick there. I don't agree. I think James Wall-Prowse had another good game. And I think, if anything, we didn't really execute the game plan as effectively as we done in the previous week.

I think having a ball player like James Warprouse in there lends itself to a more possession-based game, and we just didn't do a particularly good job of holding onto the ball. So I don't think it was so much we were unable to win it back, although there were certainly stretches of the game where that was the case. I just think we needed to do a better job with the ball in possession. So overall, I felt very good about the game. I certainly felt good about the result. As far as the Nuno and the Bright Manager red card is concerned, yes, of course, that should have been overturned. And I think it also, as well, Max, brought focus to the fact that when you're giving out yellow cards, that automatically then lead to a red that then lead to an immediate suspension, there needs to be an opportunity to review those things. Several pundits have come out and said this over the last week. In those circumstances, you can't review every yellow card. And if cumulatively, every period of weeks that leads to a suspension, well, that is what it is. It sucks, but that's life.

But in this situation, where it leads directly to a suspension, there needs to be some mechanism by which that can be reviewed, particularly, like you said, when you have an independent panel who come down in favor of Morgan Gibbs-White. The one thing I did do, Max, is I went back and I reviewed that incident again. From blowing his whistle to indicate that there was a foul, to showing us the ball shape, five seconds. Five seconds. Do you know how long it then took to go from that moment to the moment where Taylor blew his whistle again? Excuse me, not Taylor. How many- Okay. Thank you. Sorry. The most English-sounding name ever, and I can't remember it, where Bob Jones went from showing us the ball shape to blowing his whistle again and calling Morgan give us a wide over to then give him the second yellow card. Do you know how long that period of time was?

No idea. Tell us.

So it took him five seconds to wave away players and give us the ball shape, and that was fair and everything else. And then you thought maybe you go over and talk to Morgan and say, That was a little heavy, so you're on thin ice. Instead, it took him 16 seconds to essentially be influenced by the home team bench. I mean, the whole thing was just... Yeah, it was calamitous. It was a joke. And so I'm glad that Morgan has been That a panel has come out in his favor, but ultimately, it doesn't deforest any good in the long run.

No, it doesn't. Forrest will be without the key man, really, against Fulham at the weekend, who is such a crucial player. And it is really interesting with referees. And despite what we say on this podcast and despite what I say in the podcast and many other times I talk and ramble on about football, we don't want to criticize referees. I don't look forward to coming on here and doing a lengthy discussion about refs because it's very simple. It gets boring. You get sick and tired of talking about it. However, when Forrest are constantly hard done by decisions, it seems like I'm not for any moment speculating the some agenda here, but when it's recurring referees that are having these bad games against Forest, Anthony Taylor was involved, of course, with the Everton incident and on VAR. Rob Jones was involved with Man United when Ralford was down and ended a penalty and the Joe Orrish thing. Rob Jones was also involved with that dreadful, again, second yellow for Willy Bolley for practically winning the ball. And I actually think with the Morgan Gibbs white challenge, and I said it on Monday when we did the main podcast, and I'll say it again, I actually thought that you can see maybe potentially the aggression on Morgan gives White's face, and it was probably a bit of a risky challenge to do when you're on a yellow So I actually have a little bit of sympathy with the referee.

But as you've alluded to, Mark, what I don't understand is he's shaping the ball in his hands. He's saying he's won the ball. And then 16 seconds later, Anthony Taylor, the home bench, the linesman potentially interfere with his decision, and he changes his mind completely. Two things from that, how does he change his mind that quickly? Yes, the fourth official can help and assist the referee, but why does Anthony Taylor need to get involved? Who's reffing this game here? And the second thing, if he changes his mind in 16 seconds, why couldn't we have VAR on the field for 16 seconds to tell us that that decision was right or wrong? And that's just another topic of conversation. Of course, we're always Arsenal and Man City as well. The debate around that, right? Yeah.

I know this has been talked about ad nauseam all week long by us and others, so we probably need to put a cap on it. But here's what I'll say in conclusion, from my perspective, at least. The one thing that has remained consistent as the game has changed and inverted commas evolved over the years is the old adage of there's no point arguing with the rep because you're never going to change his mind. That is a staple of football, right? And that's what Cluffy was all about. He's like, I don't want to see 'How are players doing that? ' I don't want to see you arguing with the referee. It makes us look bad, and he's not going to change his mind anyway. I mean, it's essentially, even though I don't know that it's a written law of the game, it is. And yet somehow we witnessed the opposite this week. So not only was it ridiculous in and of itself as an isolated incident. But what precedent does it set as well? If we truly believe that Rob Jones has been influenced by Taylor or by the Brighton bench or the fans or whomever it may be, it's just incredibly egregious and dangerous.

And so I hope somebody is in Rob Jones's ear between games and that we might see a change in how he referees games moving forward.

Yeah, I don't want to talk about Rob for the remainder of the season. So please, Rob Jones, if you're listening, if you know Rob Jones, don't make any more silly decisions. All right, let's move on to the main talking points. Well, in fact, let's touch on Fulham and we'll mention some other bits and pieces at the end. Another big game back at the City grounds. Mark, would you expect a lot of changes in the side or will Nuno settle very similar? And obviously, Fulham are flying. I think you forget that Fulham came up with Forest and Bournemouth in those newly promoted teams in the promotion season. And they've come on leaps and bounds. Marco Silva is a great manager, and they've got some really key players that Forest really have to watch on Saturday.

Yeah, I'm actually really excited about this game, Max. I think this is a really evenly matched battle. Obviously, the two teams are side by side in the league. I think Forest currently sit in eighth, Fulham in ninth. I think they have the same goal difference. The biggest This difference, of course, is that Fulham had lost again recently to Manchester United. It's interesting. When you look at the games that Fulham have played this season, yes, they had the really impressive opening day victory against... Excuse me, they lost against Manchester United on the opening day, but they had the really impressive victory recently against Newcastle, beating Newcastle 3-1, even though it was a craving cottage. I mean, that's not to be sneezed at. But if you look at the other games they've had, They've arguably had some layups. They've had some teams that are really out of form or just look weak this season. West Ham United, they drew with it to Switchtown. They beat Leicester. And that was the second game of the season. So early doors for Steve Cooper. I think Leicester have gotten not much better, but better subsequently. So Fulham really haven't had much in the way of tests.

I think this is going to be a real test for And one thing I will say as well, Max, it's going to be really interesting to see how the front four of both teams match up. It's probably going to have Jimenez playing center forward. Smith were at row, tucked him behind him. Alex Awobi at one side, and Adama Triore out the other.

It's a good front four.

It's a really good front four, Max. It is a really good front four. And if you look at what that front four has yielded this season, And arguably, it's been better than what Forest have done. So Jimenez, three goals to the good so far, just like Chris Wood, Triore and Iwobe, both on the score sheet this season. For Forest, obviously, Kalim has a doy, has notched, but Alanga hasn't yet. And then Emel Smith-Rowe, who I think a lot of Forest fans would have loved to ascend in the Garibaldi, he's already two goals to the good, Morgan Gibbs-White despite his England call up, only the one goal so far this season, and, of course, won't feature this weekend because of the forementioned ban. So I think the two teams are pretty equally balanced. I think Forest have a little more quality across the board, but I think a lot of how this game is going to be decided this weekend will come down to that front four. So to your point around how Forest is going to line up, let's get in the weeds on that because there's some choices for Nuno to have to make.

There is some choices. I'm going to throw this one at you because I've seen a bit of debate on social media, and I was even having a conversation with a good friend of mine the other day. And we were on about whether you'd bring in Jota Silva and give him a bit of a first... Well, it would be his first start in the Premier League. Don't take that anything away from, of course, Anthony Alanga. But what I think with Jota Silver, and we saw, of course, against Brighton, I just think he has that energy from the start. And maybe Nuno and Forest will utilize him throughout the season as a substitute off the bench, and it's great to have that depth on the bench. However, for me, the energy he is showing, the contributions to goals, the way he's getting involved. I quite like the blank housery of him as well at times. I just feel that maybe he deserves a start in front of the home fans at the City Ground. I don't know what you think on that, Mark. Don't fix what's not broken in a way. But maybe Nuno will try and implement him in some way by starting him on Saturday.

So are you thinking he comes in for Morgan gives away?

Possibly. Possibly, but also maybe a straight switch for Anthony Alanga. I think, of course, you can't take anything away from Anthony and the passes, and certainly to Callimard and Adoy and his chances created, and of course, his pace at times. But I think Alanga has many chances that I would just wonder if Jotter Silva would maybe do better with. Maybe that's a bit of a rash opinion from me, being But I would honestly be tempted to do a straight switch. Or we have the beauty, as you've just alluded to, is he comes in for Morgan Gibbs-White.

Yeah, I think there's any number of ways to skin this cat. I think Jotter could come in certainly for Morgan Gibbs-White. I also think you've got other options in the 10 as well. Elia Anderson, of course, is one. I think James Warprouse could play up there as well. In both those instances, then you'd probably be backfilling them with Ryan Yates. So there's options there. If you bring Jotter in for Morgan And that's why I still think there's a potential case for resting Alanga and bringing Sosa in instead. Obviously, scored his first goal for Forest against Brighton and had a good game. It's played well. The limited minutes he's had so far. So again, there's any number of ways to come at this. Personally, I think I would like to see Elia Anderson moved up into the Morgan Morgung, Kibs-White, easy for me to say, role. And I'd like to see Yates brought in there. Obviously, I'm a fan of Yates. I don't think he's let us down at all when he's been on the field this season. But more than that, I think I'd like to see him on there ruffling Emile Smith-Rose feathers, quite frankly.

I think that would be a nice counter to the former Arsenal man and the danger he brings. And I'm with you. I wouldn't mind seeing Jota starting ahead of... I'm not sure if it's Giotto or Giotto in Portuguese, but I'm probably going to do both in here and see what our listeners and viewers.

If we've got any Portuguese forest fans with just Portuguese listeners, then please do let us know because me and Mark. Yeah.

But I'd like to see him start ahead of a langer. He brings something different and fresh. I love his energy. Yeah, I wouldn't be opposed to that at all. So again, Nuno certainly got some decisions to make, but man, isn't it awesome to have a bench like that and to be in this situation where you can slice that situation up any way you want and bring strong players in and give full and things to think about?

Absolutely. Absolutely. Right. Just before we touch on Steven Reid, give us your prediction, Mark. How do you think the game will go? Can you see a Forest wing? Can you see Forest remaining unbeat? We haven't actually won a game at home, which is hard to believe since the start of April. I know. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it is the start of April. I haven't got that stat to hand. I'm just finding that from my Forest core memory. So we'll live free.

Yeah, well, Nuno has got more points on the road than at home this year, right? The season's at home. Correct.

Yeah, absolutely. So The home form is interesting. I think Forest... I do think Forest will win. I'll go 2-1. I think Jotter Silver will get on the score sheet. There you go. I've been predicting that for weeks, but I'm going to stick with that. And I just think Forest back at home, big atmosphere, good feeling around the club, that translates onto the pitch at times.

Yeah, it's weird, Max. There's no arguing with the fact that Morgan Gibbs-White is, if not our best and most influential player, and certainly one of the top two, top three. And so you think losing him would be really significant. And it is. It's not great. But again, with the depth we have, with the quality of players we've had, and with the hot start that Elliot Anderson's had, and And the flash is the brilliance we've seen from Yota stroke Jota. I feel really bullish about this game. I really do. And I'm going to go with a three-one win in favor of Forest.

We will take that. I will take that indeed. Right, let's talk just before we go on Steven Reid departing the club, such an instrumental part in Forest's promotion season. He obviously had a bit of time away and then rejoined Forest, which was great to see towards the end of Steve Cooper's tenure. But he So a lot of things started with that win away at Huddersfield that many will remember and given Jed Spence and many other players a chance to just be a bit free and not be reined to Chris Hilton's dreadful football. Sorry, Chris. Listen next week for Max's interview, What I'm One with Chris Hilton.

I guess that's not happening. That's not happening. Okay, okay.

No, it isn't happening anytime soon. But yeah, sorry, Chris. But yeah, Steven Reid, big part of Forest. Sad It's sad to see him go. We'll always remember him as obviously a great servant and such a key part of the football club, Mark.

Yeah, it is sad to see him go, and we don't know why he's leaving the club at this point in time. Hopefully, he has another opportunity lined up. He's one of those people I think that Forest fans have a great deal of affection for. You cited the Huddersfield game. Obviously, he left Forest for a period of time and returned, and fans were delighted en masse to see him back in the dugout. So it is a shame to see him go. I And I also have enormous respect for him as well, not just as a coach, but as somebody who's been very open and transparent as well about challenges around mental health and providing a platform for, particularly, men to discuss those things, which we're not always, he's especially good at. So that took a great deal of courage. And he seems like a really, really good bloke all the way around. So there's no doubt he'll be a loss. Wish him all the best in the future, whatever he's moving on to. And hope he finds his way back to the city ground one of these days.

Yeah, absolutely. Totally echo. Those thoughts, Mark. Good point. And yeah, I will say about Steven Reid, just a really nice bloke. I met him at an event up here in Manchester, which was the Northwest Football Awards. I think he was up for the best coach. And he was talking about... He came on stage, did a little bit, I think, about his work within mental health and football. And yeah, just great words from him. Was very lucky to meet him and actually got the opportunity to say thank you from a Forest fans point of view for Getting things kickstarted and thanking him for his key part in Forest's much needed promotion after 23 years back to the Premier League. So we will always be grateful to him. I'm sure many of our listeners and the wider Forest fan base will be as well. Right. That is preview time finito. Thanks very much, Mark. Appreciate it, as always, mate. Hopefully, talking about a positive Forest performance on Saturday. And fingers crossed, an unbeaten run to keep it going. You got any plans for the weekend, Mark? Where are you watching it?

You know what? I'm not sure. Our English pub here is closed temporarily. It's relocating to the Switchback Stadium, which will be exciting next season, but it doesn't help me much this weekend. Got no Trev here to watch the game with me. Hope you're doing Okay, Trev, I know you got home safely. So yeah, I'm not sure, mate. It might just be me, myself, and I in the front room, which sounds pretty pathetic, but I won't care. If Forrest win, that's all that matters.

Is Trev some made up character you're going on about? Is he something like Robot? You I'm not going to bring out in.

I'm not making any jokes. I was going to wheel him out for the pod and he was having none of it.

Trev, if you're listening, get on the podcast, mate.

I will stick a picture of Trev and I. I think I have one of us from Wembley. I will stick it on my tweety So anyone who's desperately bored, I want to go check out. I can't even remember what my Twitter account is.

There you go.

There you go. Turner talks fully. There you go. I'll stick one of those on here in the next hour. Those who are curious, Trev is single, too. So And he lives in Brighton, which is a really cool town as well. So there you go.

Anyone out there- I can't believe this has become a dating service for Trev now. Anyone out there that fancies Trev, give us a shout. We'll get you matched up with him. God, these podcasts do take a funny turn. Right, I'm going to go before Mark starts talking. And you know what, Mark, if you're bored on Saturday, just get a flight over, mate. I'm sure we'll pay for it. You can stand outside the city ground and do an interview with Matt Stowe as Matt.

It will be like one of these days, my friend.

Yeah, absolutely. Right. Give us a like, share, and subscribe on YouTube. Follow us across Spotify and Apple podcast. And as always, for your forest-related content, DatingTips. Datingtips, you know where to find us. From me and Mark, come on, you, Red.