There are times when football managers can’t get decisions right, no matter how hard they try. This wasn’t one of them.

Paul Merson made two changes from the starting line up on Saturday, with Leitao playing wide right in a 4 5 1, in place of Mark Wright, who had had such a poor game, and, a lot more surprisingly, Chris Westwood replacing Anthony Gerrard, rather than Julian Bennett.

Forest had the aerial threat of Scott Dobie and Gareth Taylor up front, with the dangerous Kris Commons on the left wing.

Walsall started like a house on fire, with Simon Osborn producing two superb through balls for Fryatt, as well as producing a half volley which Pedersen was happy to grab at his far post. The fine start was destined not to last, however, as Forest realised they had to deny the Saddlers space in midfield.

The visitors started to get a measure of control, although Fryatt’s running and positional sense were always a threat, as Leitao was a peripheral figure stuck out on the wing and Wrack just wasn’t in the game at all. The lack of release to the wings meant that the centre three of Osborn, Taylor and Standing were over run and only a great performance from Ossie kept the midfield in the game.

Eventually, the inevitable came with Commons half volleying a Nicky Eaden cross into the far corner, with Oakes well beaten.

Changes needed to be made in the second half and Merson took another risk by switching to 4 4 2 and replacing Standing with Wright. Wright began as he finished on Saturday, looking completely ineffective, but, after 5 minutes, Osborn found him on the right, he cut inside and unleashed an unstoppable 20 yard left foot drive into the net. With that injection of confidence, Wright was a player transformed. A minute or so later, he produced another run which led to a free kick. Kris Taylor hit a superb set piece, which rebounded off the cross bar, only for Westwood, on his debut, to fire home the rebound.

It got even better on the hour mark, when Fryatt had the chance to put Leitao in. He overhit the pass and Pedersen arrived at the same time as the Portuguese striker. Pedersen got the ball, but then, as the TV replays clearly showed, swung his feet round, taking Jorge in the chest. Despite the protests, a clear penalty, even the though the subsequent red card for Pedersen was harsh to say the least. Matt Fryatt stepped up to plant the spot kick home.

Forest, to their credit, threw everything forward, despite having only ten men, and were rewarded with a deserved David Friio goal, although it came from an Andy Oakes fumble, caused by him needing to dodge a flying elbow from the Frenchman. Walsall, however, despite 5 minutes over time, hung on for a well deserved three points.

Merson’s decisions? Bennett was outstanding and fully justified being left in, rather than Gerrard and this is an area where we are particularly strong. He got the sponsor’s man of the match, deservedly, although the outstanding Osborn, Westwood and Fryatt (for some very, very intelligent runs and positioning) weren’t that far behind. The performance of the two centre backs was particularly pleasing, in view of how big and awkward their two strikers were.

The full backs looked solid (although Fox’s tacking can be a little over enthusiastic), Jorge was dangerous once we went 4 4 2 and Merson’s other big decision, the replacement of the out of sorts Standing with Wright proved to be inspired.

The only worry was the midfield, where Taylor did OK, while looking a little lightweight and Wrack’s current lack of form (although he also looked a little more confident towards the end) is causing concern. His problem can be summed up in the second half when he picked up a long clearance from Oakes and, with only one defender in front of him, turned and passed back instead of taking him on. Perhaps playing on the left just doesn’t suit him and we need to find a left winger.

All in all, though, this was a good night for Merson and the decisions he took.