The search for a win continues for Forest this weekend as they entertain newly promoted Norwich City who have made a flying start to the Championship campaign.
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Paul McKenna should be fit to return after pulling out of the previous game against Reading in the warm up with a tight hamstring. Chris Gunter misses his second of a three match suspension & David McGoldrick will be missing for the next 3 months with a dislocated shoulder.
After getting his first of the season last time out and being unlucky not to net before that, he will be looking to hit a scoring run that has become the Earnshaw trademark against one of his former clubs.
Zak Whitbread and Steven Smith are the only injury concerns for Norwich with both likely to miss out again.
Has to be, his time on Trent side was turbulent to say the least but his goal threat is there for all to see, he’s probably worth a quid as the first goal scorer here, hope the lad gets a decent reception.
In the 60 previous league meeting between these two teams Forest do have the advantage with 24 wins compared to 21 for Norwich (a further 15 games drawn) & as such, Forest hold a slender advantage in goal scored too with 90 to 77 for the Canaries.
The last time the two sides met was a 5 goal thriller that saw Forest run out 3 – 2 winners at Carrow Road despite scoring all 5 goals (Breckin & Garner were both on the score sheet for Norwich). The last meeting at the City Ground though saw Norwich run out 2 – 1 winners, thanks to another own goal with this time Chris Cohen putting through his own net for the Canaries winner.
Forest have not lost a league game at the City Ground since way back in September 2009 while Norwich have only lost once on a Saturday since February of this year, they have lost several games within that time, but oddly all barr one of their defeats have come in midweek games.
Scott Mathieson of Cheshire will take charge of this game, the last time he took charge of a Forest fixture was the 4 – 1 home win over Doncaster Rovers back in November last year. He’s taken charge of 3 games so far this season issuing 6 yellow cards & no red
He will be assisted by Geoff Law of Leicestershire & Stephen Martin of Staffordshire
Forth Official Kevin Hayward of Staffordshire
Norwich have started the season well & Forest are still looking for their first win. The Grant Holt factor is a worry, but I’m going for Forest’s home form to continue & a 3 – 0 home win
Forest v Millwall
11/09/2010