Kieffer Moore wins the battle of the strikers as Cardiff cause more misery for Sabri Lamouchi

Nottingham Forest’s Sabri Lamouchi lamented an ‘unacceptable’ start in his sides’ disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Cardiff City at The City Ground. Forest, now without a goal in their first three competitive games, were easily swept aside by Neil Harris’ men with The Bluebirds registering points of the new Championship season. 

With no goal registered by either side in their opening two competitive games of the season, eyes were on opposing strikers Keifer Moore and Lewis Grabban. Both employed in the lone striker role at the helm of their respective sides attack, Moore came away as the afternoon’s match-winner with two well-taken goals that have gotten Cardiff’s season officially up and running.

With Sabri Lamouchi demanding a stronger mentality from his players, Forest’s start could not have been any worse. Despite working on Cardiff’s aerial threat on the training pitch all week, it was inexplicable that Lamouchi’s side conceded from a set-piece just two minutes into proceedings. As Tobias Figueiredo lost his man from Joe Bennett’s out-swinging corner, Kiefer Moore couldn’t believe his luck as he found himself unmarked to score past Brice Samba and open his account for his new club.

Moore, a £3m capture from Wigan Athletic in the summer, produced an excellent all-round performance. Neither Joe Worrall nor Figueiredo got to grips with Moore all afternoon. Well worthy of his Sky Bet Man of the Match,  the former Wigan striker was keen to acknowledge his teammates and look to the future in his post-match interview in front of the TV cameras. 

“Confidence is everything in this game. I know I can score goals, especially in this team as they’ll keep making chances for me.”

“The lads did brilliant to get to the play-offs last season, and we want to do even better this season.” – Kiefer Moore

 

Having gained their early advantage, Cardiff took control of the first half with the forward players posing the Forest defence several questions. Whilst Moore took the plaudits with his hold up play and goals, new boy Sheyi Ojo looked more than an adequate replacement for Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. With Hoilett and Ojo impressing on either flank, Moore’s hold up play encouraged Joe Ralls to break from midfield in supporting the Cardiff attack. Only Ralls’ misjudgment of the ball when through on goal, saved Forest from going further behind.

Cardiff were good value for their lead and following more sloppy defending just before the halftime break, Moore prodded home from Sean Morrison’s flick-on for his second goal of the afternoon.

Whilst Cardiff had looked lively every time they carried the game to Forest, by comparison, the men in red shirts lacked cohesion, failing to put any sustained pressure on the visitors’ goal. Their flat, first-half performance will be of concern to the Forest hierarchy. 

Despite their below-par opening half performance, Forest could have easily been level by the time Moore grabbed his second. Carrying on from his disappointing start to the season in front of goal, Lewis Grabban once more looked rusty when opportunity came his way. A beautifully whipped in cross from Luke Freeman presented Grabban with a great chance to equalise from six yards out but uncharacteristically, the Forest striker got too much on his touch; spooning the ball over the bar with the goal at his mercy.

Whether the added responsibility of captaincy has affected Grabban’s performance remains to be seen but he is first and foremost, in the team to score goals. Grabban has had enough chances to have won both of Forest’s opening games by himself. The Forest manager will be hoping his talisman brushes aside any early-season rustiness, and quickly. Lamouchi may well need to revisit the captaincy if it continues to affect his day job.

As Grabban looked a forlorn figure, Forest’s lack of leadership on the pitch following the absence of Ben Watson in the middle of the park was evident. By contrast, Cardiff skipper Morrison’s rallying calls could be heard across the all but empty City Ground stadium.

Despite the disappointing result, there were at least some green shoots to consider in a much-improved second-half showing; the response will be of some comfort to Sabri Lamouchi moving forwards. Sammy Ameobi went close to pulling a goal back with a rasping 25-yard shot which Smithies tipped over and young midfielder Ryan Yates should have scored also, misjudging his header from six yards out, giving Smithies chance to react and tip over once more.

Substitute Lyle Taylor provided a greater physical presence alongside Lewis Grabban in attack and as a collective, Forest produced more effective passages of play, a key missing ingredient in Lamouchi’s set up. Teenager Alex Mighten provided a positive contribution also with an encouraging ten-minute cameo performance after coming off the bench after eighty minutes. Mighten showed that he has the pace and trickery to cause Championship defences a problem.

As Forest face Huddersfield this coming Friday, changes may be required from Lamouchi in addressing his side’s mentality that he has regularly spoken about in recent months.

“I have been speaking to the staff since the beginning of the season and maybe some players are still thinking about the end of the last season. It is a new season with different problems and we have enough quality and players to get out of this situation.” – Sabri Lamouchi

Psychologically, individuals are still nursing hangovers from last season’s disappointment. Tobias Figueiredo, Yuri Ribeiro, and Joe Lolley have started the season as shadows of last’s consistent performers with Lamouchi confirming that his decision to replace Lolley with Lyle Taylor after 37 minutes was tactical and not due to injury. 

With new squad arrivals waiting in the wings to make an impression;  Lamouchi has a raft of options to consider, including on-loan right-back Cyrus Christie from Fulham. It comes as no surprise that Forest are once again courting the attention of Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna as they hope to bolster their defensive fragility.

As the rumblings continue behind the scenes at Forest with their disappointing start, the clock is ticking for Lamouchi. Failure to pick up a result against Huddersfield this coming Friday will have the vultures circling at The City Ground once again.

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