Playoff heartbreak

Your decisions

Fictional club events from this simulated season.

1. MD 12 · The second-ball problem
   Work on the midfield distances. Cooper keeps the midfield group out to work on distances. Philip Zinckernagel gets the detail right; Wes Morgan feels the extra session in his legs.
   Next match: a small fatigue cost. Following 2: better organisation.

2. MD 23 · Mid-season replacement
   Greg Halford out; Alan Hutton in.
   In this fictional season, Greg Halford fails an eye test after weeks of misreading Cooper's tactics board. The club rules him out for the run-in; choose a January replacement.

3. MD 32 · Supporters' coach breaks down
   Send a message; stay on the match plan. Brice Samba and Paul Anderson send a message to the stranded coach, then return to preparing for the next fixture.
   Next 3 matches: fewer distractions tighten the defence, though Forest create slightly less.

4. MD 46 · The headline changes the quote
   Ignore the noise. Cooper refuses another press conference. Joe Worrall keeps the group focused away from the cameras.
   Second leg: calmer heads and fewer mistakes, but a slower start.

5. MD 46 · The Wembley plan
   Keep Wembley tight. Cooper asks Joe Worrall to keep the side compact against Derby. Forest concede fewer openings, but must take their chances.
   Wembley: fewer chances conceded, but fewer Forest chances too.