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Forest Out To Bite Lions

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Forest welcome a struggling Millwall to the City Ground on Saturday, in a match that will be seen as a must win game for more reasons than one. Defeat against the Lions will see the City Ground crowd rise as one in an effort to have manager Colin Calderwood removed from his post. Defeat is not an option for the amiable Scot, if he wants to stay in a job. The atmosphere inside the ground will be a tense affair and the Reds will need to get off to a good start to quash any unrest ahead of the much publicised protests that are expected to take place.

The home form for Forest is not an issue, it’s when they get on the road that the problems begin. But with only 2 wins in the last 6 games, the Reds need the points to stay in contention with the leaders in the division. Forest currently sit in 4th place, 4 points behind 2nd placed Donny, with a game in hand.

Millwall have problems of a different kind. They sit just a place and a point above the drop zone and have only won 1 of their last 5 away games. Kenny Jackett was busy in January, bringing in no fewer than 7 new signings to bolster his failing squad. The Millwall boss has told them that they are playing for their futures, so expect them to give it their all.

Just to add an extra bit of spice to an already tasty fixture, two players line up against their former sides. Neil Harris, looking for his 100th goal in a Lions shirt normally gets one when he plays against us and Will Hoskins our new boy gets to meet up with the team he spent time with on loan earlier this season.

All in all, it looks set to be an interesting game with a lot at stake for both sides. This game could define the season for Forest, who have to be more positive and attack minded if they are to get out of League 1 this time round.

Vital Quotes:

Nottingham Forest Team News:

Forest will have Kris Commons available for selection after missing the game with Bournemouth with family problems. Lewis McGugan is also available after completing a one match suspension. New signing Will Hoskins is expected to make his debut and should partner Tyson up front.

Player to watch: Will Hoskins

All eyes will be on the new boy. He’s a local lad and is proven at this level. He also had two loan spells with the Lions this season, who will admit to not seeing the best from the former Watford and Rotherham hitman.

Millwall Team News:

Millwall will be without the inspirational Dave Brammer, who is suffering from knee ligament damage. Keeper Rhys Evans, who had a blinder against us at the New Den a couple of weeks ago is expected to recover from a dead leg picked up in the 3-0 home defeat to Doncaster last week.

Player to watch: Neil Harris

He’s been in and out of the squad of late, but if he plays you just know he will do for Millwall what he never did for us and score. He’s hot on the trail of Teddy Sheringhams’ all time scoring record for the Lions and is in search of his elusive 100th goal for the club.

Match Facts & Stats

Millwall have just had the better of things in the 47 league meetings between the two sides. Forest have won 15, lost 17 and drawn 15. The meeting at the New Den a couple of weeks ago saw Millwall throw away a 2 goal lead, in the 2-2 draw. Let’s all hear it for the ‘2-0 and you screwed it up!’ chant.

Last season we lost 1-0 at the New Den and won 3-1 at home.

Ref Watch:

Mr. C. Oliver (Northumberland).

Match Prediction:

It has to be a Forest win, but expect the Lions to make it tough for us. 1-0 to the Reds.

Next Fixtures:

Fl1. Lucky Leeds (a). February 12. 7.45pm.

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