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Cobblers v Forest: Preview

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Colin Calderwood visits his old stomping ground for what could turn out to be his very own Long Good Friday, when Forest take on the Cobblers in yet another must win game for the Reds.

Forest sit 9 points off automatic promotion and have all but kissed goodbye to any hope of going up via the top two placings. A win at Sixfields will keep whatever slim hope there is alive, but anything less than a win, could cost CC his job.

Calderwood will be getting stick from all corners of the ground in this one, as many of the Forest faithful have finally lost faith in the manager. There’s no love lost with the Northampton crowd, who have never forgiven CC for moving on to bigger and supposedly better things.

This game is likely to be a sellout due to the fact that the Cobblers are on something of a run and are hoping to press on and get into the playoffs. There home form is impressive and they haven’t lost at home since November. That’s 10 games, so we will do well to get anything with our dismal away record. We haven’t had a win in 5 games now, so CC needs to get on a run just to stay in the playoffs. Defeat doesn’t bare thinking about and anything less than a win, should see him throw in the towel and call it a day. Don’t count on it though, because he has an unshakable belief that all will come good, despite what the form book tells us. All in all, not a very positive preview I’m afraid.

Famous people from Northampton:

Bauhaus, the 70’s, 80’s folk/goth band hail from Northampton. You may remember they wowed us with such greats as “Bela Lugosi’s Dead” and “Kick In The Eye.” Such a shame they broke up in 1983. Worth checking out though if you’re not familiar.

Other than Althorp House, the good County of Northamptonshire offers little by way of famous people or attractions, but Des O’Connor apparently has a house there. Faye Tozer from pop group Steps comes from there, as does comedian Alan Carr.

Vital Quotes:

Northampton’s on loan midfielder Daniel Jones told the Northampton Chronicle in the week. ‘There has got to be a fear factor about us. Look at our recent record, we are beating all the top sides. Who would have expected us to beat Walsall 2-0 at their place? We beat them and we beat them comfortably. On Saturday we smashed the top of the table team 4-2.’

Northampton Town Team News:

Mark Hughes will sit out the second of a two match ban, so Stuart Gray looks set to keep to the same lineup that thumped Swansea 4-2 last week.

Player to watch: Poul Hubertz

Poul Hubertz has formed a good partnership with Adebayo Akinfenwa up front and the Dane has bagged 10 goals so far this season.

Nottingham Forest Team News:

Arron Davies will once again be missing due to his dodgy hamstring, but CC should be able to call back Kris Commons after being given the all clear over a troublesome groin. Ian Breckin could be in for a recall if the manager goes with his favoured 3 centre halves at the back.

Player to watch: Nathan Tyson

Looks to be back to his pacey and menacing best, if last weeks performance is anything to go by. We need him fit and scoring if we are to stay in the playoff places.

Match Facts & Stats

The two sides have only met 9 times in the League. Earlier this season, Forest saved the game with a last minute equaliser from Junior Agogo in a 2-2 draw at the City Ground.

Last season we won both games 1-0 and previous meetings between the sides sees Forest with 2 wins, 1 defeat and 6 draws.

Match Prediction:

Not hopeful to be honest. 1-0 to the Cobblers. Happy Easter.

Next Fixtures:

FL1. Brighton (h). March 24, 2008. KO 3pm.

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Gone But Never Forgotten