Forest welcome League 1 new boys Leeds United to the City Ground on Saturday, for the clash of the (used to be) Titans.
Our astonishing fall from grace has at least been matched, if not surpassed by a Leeds side that has been robbed of it’s talent as well as it’s finances. Long gone are the likes of Keane, Kewell, Smith, Viduka and Bridges. It has been a downward spiral for the Whites and it would take for ever to explain how their current financial state came to be, so I won’t bother. Suffice to say, that Leeds started this season with a massive 15 point deduction due to the club not following football league rules on clubs entering administration.
The Whites have so far made short work of reducing that deficit, by winning their first two games of the campaign over Tranmere and Southend. Those of us who predicted a long and hard season for them have so far been proved wrong as Dennis Wise seems to have engineered a team spirit that Calderwood would die for. That 15 point deduction is already down to 9. Both Forest and Leeds have predictably been made the bookies favourites to win the title. This weekend, although early in the season may go some way in deciding who wins it. Forest are of course still awaiting their first goal of the season, let alone their first win.
Remember that this game is a 1pm KO and no pubs are open around the ground.
Vital Quotes:
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest still have a long list of players on the treatment table. McGugan, Cohen, Davies, Breckin and Lockwood will once again miss out. The good news for the Reds is the hopeful return to the first team of striker Nathan Tyson albeit on the bench.
Player to watch: Neil Lennon
Our new captain has not put a foot wrong since his arrival from Celtic. His cool head and no nonsense approach will be needed in what will surely be a hard fought game.
Leeds United Team News:
Leeds will give a debut to new loan signing Jamie Clapton from Wolves. They have injury worries over former Red Shaun Derry and Gylifi Einarsson, as well as Leon Constantine.
Player to watch: David Prutton
Prutton will need no introducing to Forest fans as he was a former fans favourite. That was until his loan spell with us last year when he failed to live up to past glories and was sent off in his final Forest game in that never to be mentioned again playoff defeat to Yeovil.
Match Facts & Stats
In terms of League meetings, the two sides have a long history dating as far back as 1921. Leeds just about edge it with Forest winning 21, drawing 27 and losing 24.
Match Prediction:
Forest 1-1 Leeds.
Next Fixtures:
Carling Cup. 2nd Round. Leicester City (H).
