Forest take on Premiership opposition tonight in the 3rd round of the Carling Cup, when they face Blackburn Rovers at the City Ground.
Although both teams are set to make changes tonight, Rovers boss Sam Allardyce wont want to take this game too lightly, as he will see this competition as his best chance of attaining success this season. That said, with only 4 points from his first 5 games in the Premiership so far, survival in the top flight, might be success enough. The same could also be said of Forest of course.
Both teams go into this game on the back of defeats, with Forest losing 1-0 at home to Blackpool on Saturday and Rovers going down 3-0 at Everton.
Rovers made it into the 3rd round, thanks to a comfortable 3-1 away win at Gillingham. Forest needed extra time to brush aside Middlesbrough, in a thrilling 2-1 win at the City Ground last month. The Carling (League) Cup, has a special place in the hearts of both sets of supporters, with Rovers last winning the trophy in 2002 after a 2-1 win over Spurs at the Millenium Stadium. The Reds’ have won this particular piece of siverware no less than 4 times. The last being in 1990, when we beat Oldham 1-0.
Vital Quotes:
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Billy Davies will make changes to the lineup and defender Kelvin Wilson could play his first game of the season. Bennett and Perch will still be missing, but Anderson and Garner may get a start, after being rested at the weekend. Keeper Paul Smith could also get a recall, in place of Lee Camp.
Player to watch: Joel Lynch
Our skillful and pacey wingback, will be looking forward to this encounter. He’ll be hoping his wing wizzardry can undo the Rovers defence and enable him to deliver his usually deadly and accurate crosses into the box for the strikers to feed off.
Blackburn Rovers Team News:
To say Allardyce was slightly miffed at the 3-0 defeat to Everton would be an understatement. He’s called for his men to deliver the goods tonight and stake their claims for a starting place in the next league game.
Gael Givet is out after picking up a knee injury at Everton and on-loan striker Franco Di Santo is unavailable as Chelsea don’t want him cup-tied.
Player to watch: Benni McCarthy
He’s only played 2 games so far this season and is yet to score, but he seems one of the favourites to get a recall tonight. The former Celta Vigo, Ajax and Porto striker will be a handful for our usually fragile defence.
Match Facts & Stats
Last time we met was at the City Ground in 2001, where we ran out 2-1 winners. We’ve played each other 106 times, with Forest winning 32, losing 47 and drawing 27.
Match Prediction:
2-1 win to Rovers. We’re concentrating on the League.
Next Fixtures:
Plymouth away on Sunday. Live on Sky. KO 1.15pm.
