Nottm Forest 0-0 Barnsley: Match Report

06 August 2011 19:19
Damp squib for McClaren. Steve McClaren's return to English club management turned out to be a low-key affair as his Nottingham Forest side were held to a goalless draw by Barnsley at the City Ground.

After spells at Dutch club FC Twente, where he won the Eredivisie title in 2010, and German side Wolfsburg following his ill-fated stint with the national team, McClaren was back in England and back in charge at club level. His last league game on these shores on May 6, 2006 ended in a 1-0 defeat for Middlesbrough at Fulham, and his new side also drew a blank on his return. Both sides had dominant periods but both failed to create clear-cut chances.

Summer signing Craig Davies, who scored 25 goals to help propel Chesterfield to the League Two title last season, headed Barnsley's best chance wide early on. Andy Reid was denied by Tykes goalkeeper Luke Steele at the start of the second half. Jonathan Greening and George Boateng were handed their Forest debuts, while fellow summer signing Reid, in his second spell at the City Ground, made his first league appearance for the Reds in more than six years.

Midfielder Chris Cohen filled the left-back position and centre-half Luke Chambers wore the captain's armband following the departure of Paul McKenna to Hull. Keith Hill included five new signings in his starting line up for his first game as Barnsley boss. With Jason Shackell sold to Derby over the summer, defender Bobby Hassell skippered the side. Davies headed Jacob Butterfield's right-wing cross wide from just six yards out after 15 minutes. Lewis McGugan's free-kick delivery from a couple of promising positions would have disappointed McClaren. Reid forced Steele to block his 12-yard shot soon after the restart before McGugan sent a shot narrowly wide immediately afterwards.

David Perkins tried his luck from long range just before the hour mark but failed to trouble Forest keeper Lee Camp. Wes Morgan headed over midway through the second half and the big Forest defender sent a shot over the crossbar with 12 minutes remaining. McClaren's men kept the pressure on in the closing stages but Barnsley defended resolutely and held on for a point.

Nottm Forest 0-0 Barnsley: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statictics of the game as it happened.

Source: DSG