Mis match of the day in League 1 takes place at Glandford Park on Saturday, when table topping Scunthorpe entertain stuttering Nottingham Forest. The Iron overtook the Reds at the head of the table just before Christmas and haven’t looked back since.
If Forest harbour any thoughts of taking anything from this game, they will need a sea change in attitude from the players. Too many of them too often, think all they have to do to pick up the points is turn up. If any of them carry this into Saturday’s game then they will be given a short sharp lesson. Literally in the case of their ace marksman Billy Sharp.
The Iron go into the game high in confidence. The side has a winning mentality and have not lost in fourteen games. They have also won the last seven on the bounce. Forest on the other hand resemble a diesel engine car that has just been filled to the brim with unleaded. Tuesday saw them defeated by Doncaster, 1-0, when only days before they demolished Huddersfield 5-1. Place your bets now as to what Forest side turn up.
On the bright side, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility for the Reds to get a result, as they are becoming masters of turning up with the unexpected.
One thing is for certain, with ten games left the players must now stand up and take responsibility for their own actions.
Vital Quotes:
Colin Calderwood said he would be looking to get back to winning ways earlier in the week.
‘We have now got to look for a reaction in the last 10 games, starting with a match against Scunthorpe on Saturday, which is a good game for us to go into at the moment.
‘The foundation of our game was not there against Doncaster and there is no doubt that we have got to put things right.
‘The really disappointing thing is that we had built up some momentum with a couple of victories and lost it against Doncaster, so we have got to find a way of bouncing back immediately.’
Scunthorpe United Team News:
Defender Cliff Byrne is out for a month with a broken cheekbone. On loan Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford, who scores for fun in a Scunthorpe shirt should partner the prolific Billy Sharp up front.
Player to watch: Billy Sharp
Without doubt the hottest property in League 1.Already this season he has scored 24 goals and was this week named League 1 Player of the Year.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
Manager Colin Calderwood can recall Tyson and Lester after both finished suspensions. Captain Ian Breckin may be a doubt, but David Prutton is the major worry with a foot strain.
Player to watch: Nathan Tyson
Now he’s had a rest he will hope to put in a run of games to fire the Reds to promotion. Hopefully the chance to pit his wits against one of the meanest defences in the division will be enough to set the goals flowing again.
Match Facts & Stats
The two sides have only met three times in the League and Scunthorpe have run out the victors each time. Earlier this season Forest put in one of their worse displays of the season, losing 4-0 in front of the Sky TV cameras.
Ref Watch:
The man in the middle is Martin Jones from Chester. He took charge of the game at Cheltenham that saw us run out 2-0 winners. He gave out four yellow cards that day.
Next Fixtures:
March 17, 3pm. Gillingham. Home
