Thanks to Watford winning and Southampton drawing in midweek, Forest now sit 5 points adrift of safety at the foot of the Championship. It seems that no matter how bad things get for Teflon Calderwood, he just can’t seem to do enough to make the Chairman give him the boot. Of course the manager still has plenty of support on the terraces and because of that his job is safe for a while yet.
Failure to win at home to Blackpool at the weekend though, could see our untouchable gaffer come unstuck. The Tangerines have been somewhat inconsistent so far this season but sit in the relative comfort of 16th, with 27 points. Forest in contrast sit one off the basement with just 17.
The Seasiders arrive at the City Ground on the back of a 1-0 defeat away at Reading. They had Lee Hendrie sent off after only 33 mins, which is great news for us, because he’ll be suspended. After looking like we had found something resembling form, we went and shot ourselves in the foot, with a sorry display in midweek by losing 1-0 to the Blunts.
This will be a ‘Kids for a Quid ‘ game, so bring the ear plugs. It should ensure a decent attendance and something approaching an atmosphere if nothing else.
It’s not all doom and gloom though on the banks of the Trent. Because Lewis McGugan should be fit again after failing a fitness test ahead of the game with the Blades.
Vital Quotes:
You don’t want to hear what our beloved leader has been saying this week. Apparently we now need to score a few more, just in case goal difference comes into play at the end of the season. Go get ’em Colin.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
McGugan should be fit and should play. God how we miss him. Jules is available and could earn a recall, after recovering from an injured collar bone.
Player to watch: Lee Camp
The on loan keeper from QPR is fast becoming a fans favourite. We’ve come to rely on him rather alot since his arrival and he’s become a hero already in his short time at the club.
Blackpool Team News:
Blackpool will be without Hendrie as mentioned above, but Simon Grayson will hope to recall the on loan Liam Dickinson after he missed the midweek match through illness.
Player to watch: Liam Dickinson
He’s on loan from the Sheep and has so far bagged 4 goals in 3 appearances for the Seasiders.
Match Facts & Stats
In 70 League games between the two sides, Forest have won 28, drawn 20 and lost 22. Last time we met it was 1-1 draw at the City Ground back in 2006/7 season.
Match Prediction:
1-1.
Next Fixtures:
Southampton (a). 20/12/08
