Neil Warnock promised there would be no repeat of the fragile performance at Derby, scene of our last league defeat. He was partially right, Leeds were even poorer today on the red side of the Trent.
Warnock rang in the changes and the biggest gasp was the inclusion of Rodolph Austin who had been carried off with a cracked ankle six weeks ago. Austin started in place of David Norris whilst Michael Brown was restored to the side as skipper replacing Michael Tonge who has returned to Stoke. The only other change saw Adam Drury replace Lee Peltier at left-back, skipper Peltier apparently is "injured".
Roared on by a large away following, Leeds took the game to Forest in the early stages and took an early lead on 12 minutes deservedly. Jerome Thomas probed the left hand flank, delivering the perfect ball for Becchio. Becchio was marked by two Forest defenders, but the loose ball broke for Diouf who managed to squirm the ball past Camp - the advancing Paul Green applying the finishing touch to claim his fourth of the season and he clearly enjoyed the moment on front of the Trent End who had been keen to remind him of his connections with their hated rivals Derby.
Green also served time under Forest boss Sean O'Driscoll and would have done well to warn his team-mates that SO'Ds teams do like to play football, a stark contrast from the hoof-ball served up so often under Warnock. O'Driscoll's team, staring another defeat in the face refused to panic and although it took them another 15 minutes or so to get going, to their credit they stuck to their principles.
Ward drew a fine save from Kenny from a free-kick on 33 and their new found zest stirred their shockingly lacklustre supporters who had all been silenced by Green's opener. Their heckles were raised when referee Lee Probert turned a blind eye to a suspected handball in the box from Sam Byram, which would have been harsh on the youngster. The Alan Tate appeared to drag back Billy Sharp, I thought there was contact but initially outside of the area.
However it was third time lucky for the hosts when Lees was rightly adjudged to have tangled with Sharp in the area and the same player converted from the spot on 44 minutes. It was a soft one to give away, Lees electing to close the free-scoring on-loan forward down closely rather than stand-off him.
Forest would have been forgiven not to have wanted the half to end given their tremendous momentum and for the second time in seven days, Leeds collapsed early in the second half and took their goals conceded tally to a unacceptable ten inside a week.
Forest were ahead on 55 minutes, Sharp latching on to a wonderful through-ball and rounding Kenny to put the hosts in front.
Sharp then saw a hat-trick denied when his header was ruled out for offside, but Leeds looked vulnerable at the back and it was 3-1 on 57 minutes when Austin turned in Ward's cross. It was far too much of a tall order for Austin to compete in such a high profile game given his injury layoff and he was subbed along with Diouf after 65 minutes.
By then Leeds had conceded a fourth, Blackstock powering home an unstoppable header past Kenny as Leeds failed to deal with a cross yet again. "We want seven!" Roared the Forest fans and at the time you would not have bet against them equaling or eclipsing that result last March at Elland Road. It was left for the travelling Leeds fans to make their own entertainment. "Four one on your big day out!" And "you should have gone to the sales" chortled the locals, but nearly 1000 more Leeds fans made the short trip down the M1 than there own fans did to Elland Road back in September.
Credit to the group of Santa's, dressed in blue outfits who did a conga in the upper tier of the Bridgford Stand to try and keep the festive spirits up. The name of "Ross McCormack" was also chanted from the away- end and with 11 minutes remaining Warnock finally relented and put the Scot on in place of Byram.
Whilst last seasons top scorer didn't find the scoresheet, he at least turned provider, picking up Thomas's pass and providing the perfect cross for fellow sub Davide Somma to grab a consolation in the 90th minute.
In the end, this was another poor and unacceptable performance in the East Midlands like at Derby two and a half weeks ago, we failed to build on an excellent start and allowed a side low on confidence to batter us in 15 short second half minutes.
Warnock's team selection was baffling too. It was great to see big Rudy back but clearly he was not match fit and to risk him in such a crunch game backfired on the Leeds boss. Warnock's preference to bring on Somma ahead of McCormack is another strange one that will increase speculation Rosco could be on his way in the January transfer window.
We tumbled to ninth when we could have reached the playoff places and typically we blow it again when we get within sight of the top six. With a horrible trip to Hull awaiting us on Saturday, I just cannot see us with or without new signings in January getting anywhere near promotion and today gives us no evidence we are any better off than we were after Barnsley one year ago under Simon Grayson.