It was just about this time last season when the wheels were falling off the Nottingham Forest promotion bandwagon. We all know what finally happened and don’t need to need to go there again. Suffice to say that 3 points against Port Vale on Saturday is an absolute must.
Forest go into the festive period in decent shape really. Sitting pretty in 3rd place, just 3 points off leaders Swansea. Vale on the other hand are having a terrible time and currently lie 3rd from bottom, only 3 points above basement boys Luton.
Vale’s away form is poor to say the least. Winning only 2 in 10 matches on their travels, they’ve also only drawn twice and they’ve lost the other 6. Normally you would say this is a home banker, but statements like that only come back to bite you on the arse. Forest though will surely look to make amends for the disappointing result against Northampton last week, that saw them scrape a 2-2 draw. Forest need to come out and show the fans and the rest of League 1, that this year they mean business and claim all 3 points. It’s been 3 long years in this barren wilderness of football and methinks it’s time to get the hell out. The game should be a sellout with it being a ‘kids for a quid’ fixture, so bring your ear plugs.
Vital Quotes:
Nottingham Forest Team News:
The Reds could recall Sammy Clingan who is available again after finishing a 3 match suspension. Kelvin Wilson is a major doubt with a thigh strain and may miss his first league game of the season. Grant Holt is hoping to be fit, after picking up a dead leg in the mid week reserve game against Leicester.
Player to watch: Junior Agogo
Calderwood is going to find it hard to leave him out of the squad this week. The club’s top scorer came on as a second half sub last week to bag his 9th of the season and a life saving point for his team.
Port Vale Team News:
Keeper Goodlad is one of the long term injured for Vale with an Achilles injury. They hope to recall Robin Hulbert, who has just recovered from the same injury.
Player to watch: Luke Rogers
Port Vale may be in the relegation zone, but striker Luke Rogers is still banging them in. Like Agogo, he’s hit the net 9 times this season.
Match Facts & Stats
Forest got their first win of the season at Vale Park, winning 2-0 back in September. The first meeting between the sides was in 1906. The game at the City Ground ended in a 2-2 draw. Their has been some impressive victories for the Reds over the years. In 1957 we won 7-1. 1935 was a 9-2 victory and 1933 saw us run out 6-1 winners.
Ref Watch:
Andy D’Urso. See article on front page.
Match Prediction:
Forest to show the fans and the rest of League 1 that this year they mean business, with a 4-1 win to make it a very merry Chrimbo for one and all.
Next Fixtures:
Oldham Athletic (A). December 26, 2007. 3pm
