Forest welcome newly promoted Hartlepool to the City Ground on Saturday, with former Red Danny Wilson in charge. Wilson made 10 appearances for Forest, back in 1983, scoring once.
Last season he gained automatic promotion with the Monkey Hangers finishing second to Walsall. This term they’ve had a decent start and sit in 5th place, a point ahead of Forest on 14. The Reds could leap into a playoff spot with a good performance and recent home form would seem to favour us at the moment, but Calderwood will not be taking them lightly especially after their impressive 4-2 win away at table toppers Orient a few weeks back and the 2-2 draw against Carlisle in midweek. Forest of course will be upbeat and confident having only lost once this season to Lucky Leeds United.
Totally unrelated, but mildly interesting is the fact that former mascot ‘H angus the Monkey’, aka Stuart Drummond, was elected mayor of Hartlepool back in 2002. Don’t know why you need to know that, just thought I’d sling it in.
Vital Quotes:
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest have no new injury woes, just the usual suspects in Davies and Lockwood on the treatment table. The big question regarding the team selection is whether Krissy Commons has done enough to earn a recall to the starting 11 with his recent good showings.
Player to watch: Junior Agogo
Junior Agogo is quite simply on fire. Scoring 4 in 4, he’s got a taste for goal.
Hartlepool United Team News:
Andy Monkhouse is a doubt for the Monkey Hangers (you’ve gotta love that for a nickname), as he missed the trip to Orient with a hamstring injury. They may be tempted to play new loan signing Danny Coles, a defender from Hull who signed in midweek
Player to watch: Richard Barker
Former Stag Richard Barker scored 9 goals in 18 appearances last year and got the goal that sealed promotion for them against Wycombe. He’s scored 4 in 9 this year, so will have to be watched.
Match Facts & Stats
The two sides have only met twice in the League. Last time we met they dealt a severe blow to our playoff hopes by beating us 3-2 at Victoria Park in the days of Charlie and Frank. They went on and got relegated a few weeks later and we know what happened to us. The home game earlier in the season saw us win 2-0 with goals from Taylor and Bopp.
Match Prediction:
2-0 to the good guys.
Next Fixtures:
Cheltenham (A). 1pm KO.
