For anyone remotely interested in the opposition and have a few minutes of spare time, you may find this post interesting from a Forest fan writing on the other MCFC forum.
We come into the game having been beaten just twice in 12 games. Although the majority of those have been draws. Boxing day saw us beaten at home 4-2 by Doncaster. Before that game they had not scored more than one in a game and were the lowest scorers in England, rooted to the bottom of the table. After being 4-0 down at half-time, Forest somehow managed to pull two late goals back. This forced the board to sack Colin Calderwood as manager.
Sunday we best fellow strugglers Norwich 3-2 away with Reserve coach John Pemberton in charge. A man who took the team to the premeir reserve title last year going unbeaten all season. He was assisted by goalkeeping coach Barry Richardson and annoying ITV pundit/our scout David Pleat. Defending well and putting chances away was the formula for a much needed win.
The away form has been much better than the home because of the fans. We have a sort of 'Wembley factor' at the City ground. Fans are quick to get on the team or individial's back. Away, theres less pressure for them.
Anyway, be our first visit to your new stadium, I'm guessing Hughes is likely to rest the stars and play Ched Evans etc?
Team news for us:
Lee Camp our fantastic on loan keeper has gone back to QPR so our original goalkeeper for the season Paul Smith will play. Couldn't catch a cold if he dared step off his goal line to get one.
The defence has been totally reshuffled following a hammering to Doncaster on Boxing day. Promising RB Brendan Moloney is cup-tied, so Luke Chambers is likely to keep his RB slot. Despite him being a mid-table League One player at best.
The centre back pairing is likely to still be Breckin and Morgan. IMO our best pairing. Kelvin Wilson has been struggling with a virus, which is just as well as he's been awful this season.
Left back is not so clear. Our now seaosn long loanee Joel Lynch from Brighton may recover from a thigh strain. If so, you will see the worst player in the Championship playing. Hopefully the injury rules him out (for the season) and youngster Joe Heath plays. Forest talisman and fan's hero Julien Bennett is out for the season.
Midfield could be anything if I'm honest. The norwich game saw us play with 5 in midfield. Paul Anderson will play out wide right wether it's 4 or 5 in midfield. On loan from Liverpool with a massive reputation and a 5 year deal at Anfield. But trust me, the lad is p!ss poor. Temporay captain James Perch will more than likely play in the holding role with first choice Guy Moussi out until February. Perch has also been terrible this season so far. A definate weak point. However, this allows fellow young cental pairing of Lewis McGugan and Matt Thornhill to influence the further areas. (they both scored on Sunday breaking from midfield) McGugan is the better of the two and is more likely to influence the game and create for the front men (man). Thornhill, a year or so behind McGugan breaking into the team tends to do the simple things a bit more. But, has a great record through youth, reserve and first team level scoring important goals. Despite the numbers, we're very slight in the centre, and quite easy to get at.
Out wide left should be Chris Cohen. One of the few players to achieve any praise from the fans this year. Probably prefers to be in the centre, but is for sure one of our better players. Good passing range, excellant work rate and attitude. Although Nathan Tyson could play wide left, with Cohen moving into the middle at McGugan or Thornhill's expense.
Upfront is anybody's guess. The preffered partnership in recent weeks has been Garner and Earnshaw. Two very different strikers. Although, both were dropped for the Norwich game and Nathan Tyson played upfront alone. Probably the fastest player in English football. If not number one, in the top three. It's frightening how fast he is. He didn't score on Sunday, but he did create the goal for Thornhill and ran the slow Norwich centre backs ragged all game. However, his first touch is woeful, his heading poor and his general build up play is poor.
Garner is a bit more old school, plays with his back to goal a lot, winning free kicks all over the park. He's good in the air, not scared to work hard and get stuck in. He is however, not the quickest and is unlikely to play the lone man role. He needs a partner. Top League scorer with 5.
Robert Earnshaw is Forest's only other striker due to Andrew Cole's departure early on. Has a lot of pressure on him costing £2.65m and to be fair hasn't deliverd much besides a ton of sick notes (He has got 6 goals in all competitions). Scored after coming off the bench on Sunday with a typical stylish one on one finish. Again, using pace and agility against slower players.
Anyway, hope that was a decent enough read. Should be a good game.
(The contents of this post were edited on 31 Dec 01:59)
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