Friday, December 14, 2007

Nottingham Forest (A) Preview


It’s a trip to the City Ground next for the Cobblers and a game that many people thought would be a one off last season. An army of Cobblers fans hit Nottingham last term, thinking that it would be the only chance they got to visit the City Ground to watch the Cobblers. But after playoff failure for Forest, we visit again and although there may not be as much interest this time around, it should still be a cracking away day.

Team News

Dean Bowditch will come back into contention after missing Tuesday night’s 1-0 F.A. Cup Second Round Replay defeat to Walsall while Jason Crowe and Bradley Johnson should also return after sitting out of the same game through suspension. Andy Kirk is likely to miss the game, however, and Andy Holt is another major doubt with an ankle problem.

Forest boss Colin Calderwood has no fresh injury worries ahead of the game but Julian Bennett remains out with a hamstring injury. Sammy Clingan also misses the game through suspension. Kris Commons, Aaron Davies and Junior Agogo are likely to be recalled after they missed Forest’s midweek cup defeat at Luton.


The Story so far…Nottingham Forest in 2007/08

After a slow start to the season, Forest are back up where most people expected them to be as we head into the Christmas period as Colin Calderwood has taken his side up to third place in League One.

After missing out in last season’s playoff semi finals, Forest began this campaign with two goalless draws, at home to Bournemouth and away at Swansea before being beaten by Leeds United at the City Ground.

At the start of September they drew again, this time at Bristol Rovers before finally picking up their first win of the season at Port Vale as Luke Chambers wrapped up a vital three points for the club late on. A 4-0 home thumping of Gillingham followed a week later and Forest were beginning to get into their stride. September ended with another fine win, this time 3-0 away at Yeovil as Chambers was again on the score sheet along with Junior Agogo and Kris Commons.

October began with a 1-1 away draw at Huddersfield Town before victories over Hartlepool United (2-1) and Cheltenham Town (3-0) propelled the side further up the table. A home draw with Doncaster Rovers was followed by their first defeat in ten games at Luton.

Three home games followed and Forest picked up seven points with City Ground wins over Tranmere and Southend and a draw with Oldham. They were forced into an F.A. Cup First Round replay with Lincoln but managed to come through the tie 3-1 in the end. In between the two cup ties, Forest saw off Crewe in League One as Arron Davies and Sammy Clingan scored in a 2-0 success.

Defeat at Walsall was followed by a good 2-0 win at playoff chasing Brighton last weekend but during the week, Forest went out of the F.A. Cup along with the Cobblers following a second defeat of the season at Luton.


Recent Meetings

The clubs have met just twice in recent years, as last season Forest did the double over the Cobblers…

10/02/07: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-0 COBBLERS

Julian Bennett’s goal on 66 minutes settles the City Ground meeting in February of this year. Mark Bunn keeps the scores down with a string of good saves.

12/08/06: COBBLERS 0-1 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

An own goal from former Forest man Chris Doig coupled with the sending off of Town striker Scott McGleish helps Forest to victory in our first Saturday home game of last season.


For the Record…Cobblers v Forest

Games Played: 11
Forest Wins: 4
Draws: 6
Cobblers Wins: 1

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