The gloves are off, can we beat Yeovil this season?

Our next game, only three days later, on the Sunday, was also at home against Yeovil Town. Nicknamed the Glovers because Yeovil was the centre of that trade during the 19th century, the name appears a bit redundant as the industry has moved on and Yeovil is now a centre for the defence and aviation industries. The town is situated well away from other Championship teams (except Bournemouth) and as I watched the rather sparse crowd of Yeovil supporters enter the CG, I thought they were a rather hardy band having to travel considerable distances for virtually every away game. Plus, of course, as they are fighting relegation, there are few victorious games to spur them on.

It is worthy of note, however, that although Yeovil are right at the bottom of the Championship, they did beat us 3-1 at Huish Park (named after the ground they occupied from 1928 to 1990, the Huish Athletic Ground or just, by most, The Huish) and have put in several notable performances lately including gaining a two goal lead at Pride Park in their last game, though Derby just managed a winner in the last seconds.

We are on a good run, remaining unbeaten since Reading won 3-2 at the CG at the end of November. Billy Davies had a bit of a selection dilemma for this game as not only have we had several additions to the squad during the transfer window, but the substitutes all scored on Thursday. In the end there were four changes. Danny Fox, our new left back was drafted in, Henri Lansbury at the end of his suspension for 10 yellows came back, and two strikers who scored against Watford took their place up front, Simon Cox and Jamie Mackie. The bench contained the usual suspects, plus the new boy Rafik Djebbour. Personally, I had been hoping Jack Hobbs would be selected as our back four have not looked the same since he left. Yes, the Jack Hobbs who left us during the window. After thinking that he had been loaned to us for the season prior to a permanent signing, I think all fans were disappointed to see him recalled to the KC Stadium by Hull. However our owner and Chairman Fawaz al-Hasawi promised to return him to the CG and he was as good as his word signing Jack on permanent terms with a four and a half year contract. Hobbs was outstanding for us prior to this hiatus and I for one am delighted he is back. As is David Vaughan, who returned to his club Sunderland at the end of a short loan spell. But he too returns on loan for the season. David has been slightly injury prone during his loan spell, but those games he has played he has been very influential in a holding midfield role and is a great addition to the squad.

The game started off with Forest rushing at the Yeovil goal as if determined to put an end to proceedings as soon as possible. But, as is usually the case, things just don't work like that. Yeovil showed a lot of character to gain promotion from League 1 last season and they are not going to relinquish their new status easily. Forest must have had five or six good chances in the first quarter of an hour, but after that early onslaught, could easily have handed Yeovil the lead. It had seemed like a training game, and that lack of urgency nearly caught out the Forest defence. A loose pass allowed Yeovil to get close to the Forest goal, but the shot was off target.

After this narrow squeak, as we moved upfield a lovely through pass to Paterson from Lansbury allowed our young forward to beat their goalie, but, in doing so, he was forced out wide to the right of the six yard box. However, the ball was fired back towards the goal and the covering defender could only help it into the net. I was right behind the shot and it seemed to me to be heading in, but officially I think it has been marked down as an own goal. Nevertheless we were one up and going for a second.

That pressure slowly declined and Yeovil came more into it. In fact, after a good spell of their own during which Darlow was forced to parry a shot from Hayter and the resultant loose ball came so close to an equaliser, they did actually score. From the Forest perspective, it was a poor goal to concede. A somewhat optimistic cross from the Yeovil left was sailing into our penalty area and looked to be heading straight for Karl Darlow's welcome embrace. Instead of gratefully going out and claiming the ball, he waited for it to arrive and Moore, the lanky Yeovil forward, stole in front of him and diverted the ball into the net. A soft goal, but they all count and it was nail-biting time again. Supporting my favourite team is not easy!

1-1 and Yeovil looking lively, not at all like the team that was given the run around in the first 15 minutes. Danny Fox, our new left back, showing signs of being a very classy addition to the defence, had to be on his mettle just after this goal to stop another Yeovil attack. It was a heavy tackle, both men going in for the ball, and both required treatment. On 38 minutes The Reds went into the lead again and again Jamie Paterson was involved. This time his shot front the edge of the area was pushed away from the goal, but Mackie, never one to accept a cause is lost, chased the ball and his low cross from the left was prodded home by Cox. The half was not over, though. Yeovil attacked down the right and a lofted cross sailed over Darlow to Hayter who sent the ball wide. Straight from this Forest went onto the attack again and forced the Yeovil defence into a back pass which was woefully short. Mackie again got there first and bore down on goal. Sadly, Jamie seems unable to diddle the goalie on one-to-ones and again he missed. This time firing into the side netting.

During the second half the Reds looked quite comfortable, but there was always the nagging fear that one moment of Yeovil magic or Forest relaxation would even it up again. And it nearly happened. After Paterson had hit the post at the Bridgford end Yeovil had a golden opportunity at the Trent End. Mostly their attacks had consisted of lobbing the ball into the penalty area hoping their tall centre forward would either score or knock the ball down to a team-mate. However, they did occasionally mix it up with quick passing moves and one of these allowed one of their midfielders a clear opening on the edge of our area. The shot was saved quite easily by Darlow.

As usual, their were several changes of personnel on both sides during the last few minutes of the game. One of their substitutions resulted in Yeovil putting a tall centre half alongside their tall centre forward with an idea to increase the aerial bombardment. An just minutes after this tactical move, they gained a free kick on the right hand side just outside the area. A dangerous spot for a free kick late in the game. After the usual minute adjustments to the wall, an earnest referee pacing out 10 yards and fussing over this that and the other and much discussion among the Yeovil team, their free kick specialist put the ball at least ten yards over the goal into the Trent End. Anti-climax. Yeovil had one more chance a few minutes later as Cox, defending in his own area, pushed the ball straight to a Yeovil man. Realising his blunder Cox just managed to put some of his body in front of the shot and fortunately it lobbed away from the goal.

One of the substitutions, with about 15 minutes to go, was Paterson off and Djebbour on. After several excitable darts forward and a misplaced pass with his first touch, the new striker scored on his debut. Just as the game entered added time, the ball broke to Simon Cox at an acute angle to the goal on the right. He powered the ball across the goal and Djebbour bundled the ball into the net. There were half-hearted Yeovil appeals for hand ball, but the goal stood. At least I thought they were appealing for something, but perhaps the defenders just threw their hands into the air in a gesture of dismay at conceding what was surely the goal to end the contest.

Despite having to grind out a result, the record will show a win for Nottingham Forest and another three points. Not only does this put us more firmly into the playoff zone, but (whisper it) closer to one of the automatic places. Leicester are miles ahead at the moment, but there is a long way still to go and much could change.

A nice touch during the second half was prolonged chanting and applause for Fawaz. He has put a lot of his time and money into the club and genuinely seems to care that we are successful. I know that every owner wants his club to be successful, but Fawaz seems to have a fans desire for success, visibly living every moment in the Director's Box, alternately cheering and holding his head in his hands!

We have a tough run of games coming up, starting with a visit to Blackpool next Saturday and then, a few days later, the re-arranged visit to Huddersfield. Then we have the League leaders Leicester City at the CG, Burnley, third in the table, away at Turf Moor and finally, on the first of March, Wigan at home. Could be a season-defining month.