It’s the final away day of the season and the finish line is in sight with the top of League 1 looking tighter than Nigel Doughty’s wallet. In a nutshell Bristol must not win and we must not lose, if we are to keep alive the faint hope of automatic promotion from this division. Some Forest fans have even been found secretly praying for a Bristol win by the banks of the Trent, just to end the agony.
Orient are not mathematically safe yet, but if Bradford fail to win, then regardless of the result against us they will stay up. Forest go into the game on some good form after seeing off Bournemouth 3-0 last week. The O’s will be boosted by their crucial victory over fellow strugglers Bradford City.
Calderwood will look forward to meeting up with his old mate Martin Ling. The pair were teammates at Swindon and have remained friends ever since. The game will also give the travelling support another chance to see one time rumoured target, Mathew Lockwood.
Although the Reds have had much the better of results over the years, fans will want to forget the horror show back in December when the O’s ran out 3-1 winners, after Forest put in one of their worst performances of the season. A repeat of that scoreline will be curtains for any hopes of automatic.
Vital Quotes:
Calderwood is realistic about his chances of pinching second spot but he said. ‘While there is hope of finishing in the top two we have to give ourselves every chance. You have to have a sense of realism about the situation – Bristol have the march on us but you never know.’
Leyton Orient Team News:
Knee injuries to both Gary Harper and Michael Sampson means Ling will have to ring the changes.
Player to watch: Gary Alexander
Powerful and hardworking, Alexander has bagged 12 goals in 40 appearances and was top scorer for the club last year for the second time.
Nottingham Forest Team News:
The Reds are still without long term injured Morgan, Tyson, Clingan and Agogo. The good news for Calderwood is that Scott Dobie played 60 minutes for the reserves in midweek.
Player to watch: Kris Commons
The crowd favourite is on fire at the moment, having hit the net four times in the last two games.
Match Facts & Stats
The two sides have met 43 times in the League. Forest have won 20, lost 9 and drawn 14.
Next Fixtures:
Crewe. Home. May 5, 2007.
