It`s a little early to be talking about ‘must win games,’ but Forest could certainly do with a win, when they travel to Sheffield on Tuesday night to take on the struggling Blunts. The Reds` have slipped from 2nd in the Championship table, down to 5th in recent weeks and are without a win in any of their previous 4 games. We`ve only taken 6 points from the last 6 games and are on a run that has seen us slip from top of the form table down to 15th. Despite the recent poor run of results, we still sit just 3 points off an automatic place and the 1-0 defeat to Hull at the weekend, was the first time Forest have lost a league game at home since September 2009. So despite the doom and gloom that seems to have engulfed us all, things on paper at least, don`t look too bad.
If you think we`re on a poor run, then think again, because United haven`t won a game since December, when they beat Swansea 1-0 at home. They are yet to register a win in the 13 games since new manager and former Forest caretaker manager Micky Adams took charge and as well as being 2nd from bottom in the Championship table, they are the worst team in the division on current form as well. Hopefully recent results for Forest against teams in the relegation zone, will show us that nothing should be taken for granted and we will have to earn the right to win the game, just as the games against Preston, Scunthorpe and Middlesbrough have shown. Any game against the Blunts tends to be a physical game and this one will no doubt be any different. Striker Richard Cresswell, announced that the squad have held crisis talks ahead of the game, in an effort to instil some confidence and try and attain some stability with the club staring relegation in the face.
Vital Quotes:
Sheffield United Team News:
On loan Villa defender Shane Lowry, has completed a two game ban and will be available for a recall by Adams.
Sam Vokes, Joe Mattock and Nick Montgomery were on the bench against Portsmouth and could come back into contention.
Player to watch: Ched Evans
The £3m signing from Man City is the Blunts top scorer with 9 goals in 31 games this season.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Captain paul McKenna who was forced out of the defeat with Hull could be back after recovering from a knee injury. There are doubts over defender Luke Chambers, who reportedly damaged a toe in training.
Player to watch: Lee Camp
The lads might be suffering a dip in form of late, but Campy has been in the form of his life this season, so much so that he is now looking forward to playing for N. Ireland on the international stage.
Match Facts & Stats
Earlier this season we managed a 1-1 draw at the City Ground, with an equaliser coming from Paul McKenna. There have been a total of 101 league meetings between the two sides, in which Forest have won 40, drawn 27 and lost 34.
Ref Watch:
Mr. Anthony Bates (Staffordshire).
Match Prediction:
Blunts 0-2 Forest
Next Fixtures:
Donny (h). Saturday 12/3/2011. KO: 3pm.
