Forest travel to Brunton Park on Tuesday night with the task of beating a Carlisle side that has not lost a home game in 14 matches.
The Cumbrians sit comfortably in 2nd spot a full 12 points ahead of the Reds. Although Calderwood still harbours the insane thought that we can still catch them, the fans of course know different. Defeat for the manager at Brunton Park should make his position untenable and would ensure an unbearable atmosphere for him in the weekend home game to Cheltenham.
Carlisle boss John Ward has his troops martialled well and are deserving of their League placing. He won’t be able to field former Forest striker Scott Dobie though, due to an agreement made between the clubs following his transfer in January.
Forest go into the game low in confidence, following a 1-0 battering at Doncaster on Friday. Last time out Carlisle fought for a hard earned point, in a 0-0 draw away at struggling Gillingham. Add into the mix that we have only ever won once at Brunton Park, back in 1972 and it looks like another sorry night for Forest fans.
Famous people from Carlisle:
They’re a bit short on the ground this week and I’ve had to search high and low to find that Noel Edmond’s mum comes from there, as does writer and poet William Wordsworth. Other than that, not a lot.
Vital Quotes:
Forest fans. ‘Has he gone yet?’
Carlisle United Team News:
Carlisle will check on the fitness of top scorer Danny Graham, who went off in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at the Gills with a hip injury.Definitely out as mentioned will be Scott Dobie.
Player to watch: Joe Garner
The 20 year old former Blackburn striker has been the bargain of the season. Bought for £140,000 in the summer, he’s found the net 14 times so far this campaign.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest will be without James Perch, who finishes the last of a 3 game suspension. Davies (hamstring) and Commons (thigh) will also be missing.
Player to watch: Brett Ormerod.
Well I couldn’t justify picking any of the others on current form. So the on loan Preston striker gets the gig this week. 2 in 6 shows he’s not exactly prolific, but we knew that any way.
Match Facts & Stats
In 11 meetings between the two sides Forest have won 5, drawn 3 and lost 3. Earlier this year, Carlisle won 1-0 at the City Ground. Last season saw us lose 1-0 away and draw 0-0 at home.
Ref Watch:
Mike Riley. Oh my God!
Match Prediction:
1-0 to the home side unfortunately.
Next Fixtures:
FL1. April 5. Cheltenham Town (h). KO 3pm.
