Forest travel to Victoria Park on Saturday to take on the Monkey Hangers of Hartlepool, in a game we must win to keep alive our slender hopes of automatic promotion.
The Reds are in a pretty decent run of form at the moment, that sees us unbeaten in the last 5. Too little too late in the eyes of many, but we are somehow still in with a chance.
Pools though are ending the season without a win at home in their last 2 games, but they are at least safe from the dreaded drop no matter how they finish in their last two games. Under fire manager Danny Wilson has threatened to ring the changes in the summer (if he’s still there) in a bid to shake his side into form.
The Reds will be backed by the usual healthy away following and if you haven’t got a ticket then forget it, because the away allocation was sold out weeks ago.
Famous people associated with Hartlepool:
The Great Man began his managerial career at the Monkey Hangers in 1965, before taking on a job down the road from here. Famously the good folk of Hartlepools are notorious for mistaking a monkey for a French spy a few years ago and hung it for said crime. Wincy Willis the former TV weather girl hails from there, as does cartoon character Andy Capp. The larger than life singer Meatloaf, is apparently a Pools fan and it’s said that Robert The Bruce came from the area.
Vital Quotes:
Hartlepool United Team News:
Pools hope to welcome back defender Sam Collins after injury, which means he’ll probably replace Michael Nelson.
Player to watch: James ‘I feel good’ Brown
Richard Barker is the club’s top scorer with 13, but James Brown (if he plays) will be the one to watch. He’s bagged 9 for Pools this season and can be a handful on his day.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest will once again be without striker Junior Agogo with a calf strain. Bennett (groin) and Ormerod (the squits) are both expected to make the game.
Player to watch: Garath McCleary
The former Bromley hit man is fast making a name for himself as a winger with pace and skill. He’s being slowly introduced into games by CC, but fans are beginning to think it’s time he was let off the leash and given a run of games to prove himself.
Match Facts & Stats
The two sides have only met 3 times in the League. Forest have won 2 and lost 1. Back in October we won 2-1 at the City Ground.
Match Prediction:
You have to be optimistic with it being so close at the top. We’ll no doubt shoot ourselves in the foot, but a 1-0 win will ensure a sell out City Ground for the final game of the season against Yeovil the following week.
Next Fixtures:
Yeovil (h). May 3, 2008. KO 3pm.
