Blackstock on play offs

earthworm

earthworm

Jack Burkitt
Dexter on tomorrow's game ...

Dexter Blackstock is confident Nottingham Forest can secure a safe passage through the Championship play-offs.
The Reds are set to face Blackpool on Saturday in the first leg of their semi-final showdown, with the Premier League now within touching distance.
The Seasiders were only assured of their spot in the top six on the final day of the season, surprising everyone with their achievements, and Forest know they cannot afford to take Ian Holloway's side lightly.
They were the only team to beat Forest home and away in the league this season and Blackstock expects another tough test when they lock horns in the promotion shake-up.
"They have got to be shown a lot of respect," Blackstock told skysports.com.
Pressure

"Anybody who finishes in the top six in the league after 46 games deserves to be there, whether it is Blackpool or if it had been Newcastle United, it doesn't make a difference. They are there on merit and they deserve to be there. We have to show them a lot of respect and we will be taking them very seriously.
"They have gone on a great run to nip in and they will fancy their chances. I am sure they are not just in there to make up the numbers. Their manager has said that the pressure is off them and they are not supposed to be there, but there is no doubt that they want to get to Wembley."
"They beat us twice this year. They deserved the result at their place but it was a bit of a false score at our place and they were really lucky to get away with the win. They have beaten us twice, though, and maybe that will give them an extra bit of confidence."
Forest head out on the road this weekend as they look to take another positive step towards the top flight, and Blackstock hopes the fact that the second leg will be staged at the City Ground will work in the Reds' favour.
He said: "I think it is always a bonus in any competition to come back and have the second leg at home. The third and fourth placed teams play away first and that gives you a massive advantage because you can go away from home and get a positive result before coming back to your home ground and finishing the job off.
"Our home form has been amazing as well, 19 games unbeaten with 17 wins. If we can get a positive result up there then we will be very confident."
Credit

History dictates that finishing third can be a kiss of death for those entering the play-offs, but Blackstock is refusing to buy into that belief and is hoping Forest can secure promotion on a memorable day out at Wembley.
He added: "Everyone is pulling in the right direction and have been all season.
"Towards the back end of last season things started to come together and the manager (Billy Davies) has been excellent. He deserves a lot of the credit for turning things around.
"Now it is about finishing off the job. We all thought we could achieve automatic promotion, but it wasn't to be as we tailed off a bit towards the end. But we have a great chance now to go up through the play-offs.
"A lot of people say the best way to go up is through the play-offs because you get a day out at Wembley and everything else. You could say it is better than going up automatically, and I feel that."

a.top_betting_link_1 {background-image: url('/Images/Skysports/Icons/skybet_logo.png');background-repeat:no-repeat;background-position:0% 50%;padding-left:68px;}
Blackpool v Nottm. Forest 1st Goalscorer: Blackstock, D. 8/1
Click to expand...
 
Castus

Castus

Viv Anderson
He`s been crap in his last 5 or 6 games so he needs to pull a performance out the bag tomorrow.
 
Haida

Haida

A. Trialist
No he hasn't. He's still worked as hard as ever, and hasn't even played 90 mins in some of the games becasue of starting as sub.

Sheesh.
 
NFFC Johan

NFFC Johan

Viv Anderson
I think hes been one of our most consistent strikers, wins everything in the air and isnt selfish. If dexter wasn't there this year I dont think Earnie would of got as many goals as he has!
 
incapable hulk

incapable hulk

Best served cold
Castus said:
He`s been crap in his last 5 or 6 games so he needs to pull a performance out the bag tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Madness. Hes been on of our best players, and has done a fantastic job this season.
 
Castus

Castus

Viv Anderson
Castus said:
He`s been crap in his last 5 or 6 games so he needs to pull a performance out the bag tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Make that 7 games.

One of the most gutless CF displays i`ve ever witnessed. The guys a coward.
 
RedMark

RedMark

Viv Anderson
Castus said:
Make that 7 games.

One of the most gutless CF displays i`ve ever witnessed. The guys a coward.
Click to expand...


And you were watching the game !?

Crazy.
 
I

Itsy-bitsy Bonatini Yellow Polkadot Bikini

Stuart Pearce
Castus said:
Make that 7 games.

One of the most gutless CF displays i`ve ever witnessed. The guys a coward.
Click to expand...

Leave it out, jokerman.

Anyone who's ever played up front knows today was a terrible day for strikers. Swirling wind when the ball's in the air, crap surface underneath, playing on his own and being asked to receive the ball with his back to goal all afternoon.
 
It's Baggio

It's Baggio

John Robertson
Coward?

The good thing about Dexter is even when he has a poor game, like today, he still does enough to unsettle defenders and make the ball stick.
 
Castus

Castus

Viv Anderson
Unfortunately for his size he`s just to soft. In big matches like yesterday , Blades away and Derby you need a brave hero upfront who`ll demand every ball comes his way , every throw in he offers for and he`ll die for the cause. Dare i say like a Rob Hulse. A player prepared to get whacked from behind for 90 mins while holding the ball up when we'`re under the cosh to relieve the pressure. When was the last time you saw an opposition ch walk off the pitch looking like he`d been in a battle? Also when was the last time Dex scored with his head? For a big lad he`s poor in the air in front of goal.

He wasn`t the only one either. Take your pick out of Anderson ( a fullback masquerading as a winger. Liverpool don`t get rid of good players for 200k...) , Tyson (not a winger so stop playing him there) and Maj ( to lightweight for away games) .
 
WNYForest

WNYForest

First Team Squad
Castus said:
Unfortunately for his size he`s just to soft. In big matches like yesterday , Blades away and Derby you need a brave hero upfront who`ll demand every ball comes his way , every throw in he offers for and he`ll die for the cause. Dare i say like a Rob Hulse. A player prepared to get whacked from behind for 90 mins while holding the ball up when we'`re under the cosh to relieve the pressure. When was the last time you saw an opposition ch walk off the pitch looking like he`d been in a battle? Also when was the last time Dex scored with his head? For a big lad he`s poor in the air in front of goal.

He wasn`t the only one either. Take your pick out of Anderson ( a fullback masquerading as a winger. Liverpool don`t get rid of good players for 200k...) , Tyson (not a winger so stop playing him there) and Maj ( to lightweight for away games) .
Click to expand...

Blimey.
A bit harsh all around.
The players you mention (Tyson apart) are still relatively young and can still develop. Blackstock, Raddy and Anderson all have bags of potential and hopefully they'll fulfill it at Forest. It's a bit silly to write any of them off yet.
 
Tnewton_1988

Tnewton_1988

Jack Armstrong
One thing Dexter needed yesterday was a strike partner,Raddy did his best to go beyond him but was marked tightly and Midfield was lacking yesterday to support Dexter and when Blackpool played long ball they by passed our midfield.Tuesday be different with Earnie next to Dexter, we will be much better in the final third Tuesday can't come quicker.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom