NOTTINGHAM FOREST BLOG: Surprise selections provide a winning start for Dougie Freedman

Dougie Freedman began his reign as Forest manager with a hard fought win away at Brighton. The line up was unexpected to say the least though!
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Karl Darlow was reinstated between the sticks and there was a first start of the season for Danny Collins. I was very surprised to see that the gaffer opted for Chris Burke as opposed to Paterson, given the way in which the youngster had performed against Freedman’s Bolton side last season. Danny Fox was another surprise addition to the line up.

So when we went a goal behind to Lewis Dunk’s header just before the break, I couldn’t see us getting back into it with the selected players on offer. However, like every other Forest fan I was gob-smacked to see our equalising goal from the head of Danny Collins. Further strikes from Lansbury and Osborn would eventually win the game for Forest but not without a fight from the home side. Kayal’s late goal was almost followed by an equaliser just a minute later, the same player saw his goal bound effort brilliantly blocked by a combination Collins and Lascelles. Lascelles somehow managing to head the ball onto the cross bar from right on the line.

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To get such a result with that line up was very impressive but I do not have long term faith in some of them. For me personally, the likes of Collins, Burke and Fox are reserves at best. Darlow is obviously a class act but De Vries has been performing superbly at present. It is very interesting to see just how the new man will operate with this squad.

He will get to know his staff over time and he has a large pool to pick from. The transfer embargo will not be an excuse at all; we have more than enough talent available to climb the table. Freedman’s home debut will be very interesting for two reasons; firstly how he’ll be received by the fans and most important of all, whether he’ll go with two up front?

By Steve Corry