After Saturday’s game at The Den, some might say that the game against The Millers can’t come quick enough, others might say they should take a few weeks off. Either way it’s a massive game because Rotherham need the points to stave off what looks like certain relegation to League 2 and we need them to keep alight the mathematical possibility that we can claim an automatic promotion place. On the evidence of Saturday’s performance, the chances of that last statement coming true are about as likely as Gary Holt making a thirty yard forward pass to one of our strikers.
This fixture looks set to be a sellout, with over 25,000 tickets sold before the weekend. Hopefully we will have forgotten about Millwall by then and we’ll get behind the lads. The home support will have a roll to play in the run in and I would like to think it will be a positive one.
Rotherham were faced with an uphill battle before a ball had been kicked this season, as they were deducted 10 points as a result of the CVA which saved the club from liquidation. Former manager Alan Knill did a fantastic job in wiping out the deficit, but with the arrival of the January transfer window and the inevitable departure of prize assets Lee Williamson and Will Hoskins, so went any chance the club had of making progress. The club went on a losing streak that saw Knill get the sack and be replaced by former Man Utd player Mark Robins. His managerial career got off to a flyer with a 3-2 home victory to Gillingham at the weekend.
The Millers sit second from bottom in the table, nine points adrift of safety. A win for them is essential, as indeed it is for us. The Reds home form has been good. It’s away from the banks of the Trent that things go tits up. With only five games left, now would be a pretty good time to string a few results together, just in time for the playoffs.
Vital Quotes:
Mark Robins told his club’s official website, ‘It’s going to be a bumper crowd. We will be thinking about it tomorrow and prepare for the game. Forest lost on Saturday which proves they are beatable. On the day it will be about who can hold their nerve. If we get chances we need to stick them in the net.
‘Forest are a dangerous side with some good players. We will have to be on our toes.’
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Forest should be able to recall young starlet Lewis McGugan from a dead leg injury, that kept him out of the trip to The Den. The big question is if he will play Tyson up front, or stick with the Lester Grant Holt combination.
Player to watch: David Prutton
David Prutton looks to have regained his place in the starting lineup, but it remains to be seen if the boss will play him in his more dangerous central roll, or if he will be pushed out wide where he is less effective.
Rotherham United Team News:
Rotherham will be without former City Ground crowd favourite Eugen Bopp, who misses the rest of the season with injury.
Player to watch: Delroy Facey
The striker has found the net 10 times this season and alongside O’Grady can be a danger.
Match Facts & Stats
The sides have met 29 times in the League. Forest have had much the better of the encounters, with 15 wins, 8 draws and 6 defeats.
Match Prediction:
We can’t lose this one, can we?
2-0 home win.
Next Fixtures:
Brentford, away. April 14, 2007. 3pm.
