Nottingham Forest were knocked out of the FA Cup at the third round stage as they were thumped 4-1 by Championship Blackpool at Bloomfield Road.
With head coach Steve Cooper having named a completely different XI to the one which toppled Southampton in midweek, it was perhaps little surprise that the visitors took a while to get going. And they found themselves a goal down at the break.
Sloppy defending saw Marvin Ekpiteta poke home with 18 minutes gone, after CJ Hamilton caused problems down the left and a cross was not dealt with. The Reds mounted a response, though, and should at least have been on level terms by the interval.
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Emmanuel Dennis rattled the crossbar with a curled effort a few minutes after the opener. Gustavo Scarpa forced a save and Sam Surridge hit the side-netting in a positive spell for the visitors.
And the chances kept on coming before the whistle. Debutant Billy Fewster called Chris Maxwell into action, and Neco Williams drew a decent save with a low effort.
Surridge and Lewis O’Brien spurned good opportunities soon after the restart. But Forest were made to pay for their wasted chances as Ian Poveda and Hamilton wrapped up the tie for the Seasiders. Jerry Yates rubbed salt in the wound by netting a fourth late on, before Ryan Yates bagged a consolation header. Here’s how Reds reporter Sarah Clapson rated the Forest players at Bloomfield Road.
Wayne Hennessey: Some dreadful goals conceded. Wasn’t helped by dismal defending in front of him, but won’t be happy with this performance. Rating: 4.5/10
Neco Williams: A horrible error for Blackpool’s second which effectively killed off the game. Still, a worry to see him forced off with injury - Forest don’t need any more absentees. Rating: 4.5/10
Steve Cook: Back line looked like one which hadn’t played together. The Reds were torn apart in a poor second-half spell. Would have expected better from players with plenty of experience. Rating: 4.5/10
Scott McKenna: Lack of game time in recent weeks showed. The centre-back is better than what he demonstrated at Bloomfield Road. Rating: 4.5/10
Harry Toffolo: Linked up well with O’Brien in a good move in the second half, but didn’t see enough of that. Wasn’t the only one not to give the manager much of a selection headache. Rating: 5/10
Jack Colback: Picked up a customary booking. Midfield as a unit needed to get more of a grip on the game in a second half which ran away from the visitors. Rating: 5.5/10
Billy Fewster: A special occasion, being handed his professional debut. Was keen to get on the ball and gave a good account of himself. Just could have done with a bit more help from some of his teammates. Rating: 6/10
Lewis O’Brien: Won’t want to watch his involvement in the opener again - albeit that was poor all round. Likewise, a really good chance missed to equalise after the break. Rating: 4.5/10
Gustavo Scarpa: Looks more and more exciting with every minute he plays. He can certainly pick a pass and has great vision. The only player to come away with much credit. Rating: 7/10
Sam Surridge: Looked rusty in front of goal, missing the kind of chances you’d expect him to gobble up. Should have got on the scoresheet. Rating: 5/10
Emmanuel Dennis: A big opportunity to impress, being handed a rare start amid speculation about his future. Nothing seemed to come off for him, though, on an afternoon to forget. Rating: 4.5/10
Subs
Ryan Yates (for Fewster, 65mins): Showed a bit of desire to grab a late consolation effort. But it was much too little, too late. Rating: 6.5/10
Brennan Johnson (for O’Brien, 68mins): Tried his luck at goal, but there was no coming back for the visitors on a miserable afternoon. Rating: 6/10
Loic Mbe Soh (for Williams, 79mins): Stepped in to cover for an injury to Williams. Rating: 6/10
Subs not used: Henderson, Worrall, Mangala, Lodi, Osong
Who was your Forest man of the match? Have your say in the comments below
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