Parky to avoid seeing red and chop down the tricky trees? Notts Forest v BWFC 9/12/2007

[bristol_Wanderer3]

We are back on it by the banks of the river Trent on Saturday for a difficult looking game at Notts Forest.

Forest are having a remarkable season, if only for the fact that after twenty games, they are yet to draw a match. Nine wins and eleven defeats have them firmly established in mid table, which is a big improvement on last seasons relegation battle. Optimism took hold at the City ground as the season began when much derided owner Fawaz Al-Hawasi sold up to Greek shipping magnate Evangelos Marinakis. Marinakis won immediate approval by promising to bring stability and reduced ticket prices to Forest, and season ticket sales shot through the roof, with the club averaging 25000 this season, compared to 20333 and 19676 for the last two seasons. There is an element of frying pan and fire however as Marinakis is shrouded in match fixing allegations from his previous tenure at Olympiakos. On the pitch manager Mark Warburton has put his faith in youth, with 20 year old Everton loanee Kieran Dowell, and 22 year old bargain buy Barry McKay being the stand out players. Ex whites players Zach Clough and Matt Mills are also at Forest, but struggling to get game time.

For us we have suspension issues at the top as Parky might well be banned following his red card at Wolves. On the pitch though there are no known injuries and suspensions at this time so we can expect the team that beat Barnsley, with the possible addition of a returning Wheater instead of Burke or Beevers.

This should be close. Since the October international break, when we got our best team fit and available we have W3 D5 L1. Forest in that period have W4 D0 L5, including defeats in their last two. Forest can't draw and we can't win away, meaning unless something gives we lose. Something has to give at some point so heart wins over head and we win 2-1 rather than lose 2-0. COYW.

[TANGODANCER]

We've got to take it to em and not sit back defending. The defence should be good enough by now to shove the opposition back and play higher up the park instead of every clearance comin right back at us. In Vela, Ameobi and Pratley we should be able to do that and let the front duo (Madine and one of Noone, Alf, Armstrong or Wilbraham) cause a bit of aggro. Matters not who we play, we just have to think "win" and get some points. There are no options.

[Harry Genshaw]

A point would be good but they're nowt special and we haven't won there in ages. Let's buck that trend lads - 2-1 win

[Dr Hotdog]

Our record at Trent Bridge speaks for itself. If we keep a miracoulous clean sheet we will leave with a point.

[BWFC_Insane]

I'll be amazed and happy if we avoid defeat. A win is probably too much to ask for.

[TANGODANCER]

I'll be amazed and happy if we avoid defeat. A win is probably too much to ask for.

Somehow, I really doub t that....

[boltonboris]

I was there as an 18 year old, the last time we beat them. Can we do it this time? No.

We'll get beat 3-1

Yhey've got some handy, quick players going forwards and we won't cope with it

[Lost Leopard Spot]

We'll draw, either a boring 0-0, or a feisty 2-2. I have no evidence to present to you regarding this, merely a gut feeling. I'll be there, if it's not snowed off [no snow forecast but currently sleet and snow which wasn't forecast either is being driven in on an evil wind - and I'm less than twenty miles from the ground].

[TonyDomingos]

I was there as an 18 year old, the last time we beat them.

Which,according to https://www.11v11.com/teams/nottingham- ... Wanderers/ makes you 34.

My one and only time at Forest was as a 16yo. I saw a 3-3 draw in the Cup. They were European Champions at the time. I might be a wee bit older than you.

[Harry Genshaw]

I was there as an 18 year old, the last time we beat them.

Which,according to https://www.11v11.com/teams/nottingham- ... Wanderers/ makes you 34.

My one and only time at Forest was as a 16yo. I saw a 3-3 draw in the Cup. They were European Champions at the time. I might be a wee bit older than you.

Was a remarkable result forus that. We were 3-2 up until late on too weren't we?

I remember the replay. A great game in which we just couldn't score. Lost 0-1 in extra time. My only trip to Forest was a 0-4 league cup hammering several years ago

[Bruce Rioja]

My only trip to Forest was a 0-4 league cup hammering several years ago

Mine too. Didn't they dick us 4-0 again in the home leg as well?

[Harry Genshaw]

My only trip to Forest was a 0-4 league cup hammering several years ago

Mine too. Didn't they dick us 4-0 again in the home leg as well?

We lost 0-4 to them away in the league cup twice in about 2 or 3 years. I think the first time was a one off game (3rd Round? )which was the one I went to. Johnny Metgod did a professional foul on Steve Thompson as he was through on goal with the score still at 0-0.

The later one i can only remember Mike Jeffrey ballooning one over the bar late on from a yard or two out. We lost the second leg 2-5 at home iirc. A young Roy Keane scoring a couple

[Harry Genshaw]

^ scratch that. You were right Bruce. In 1985 it was two legged and we lost 0-4 & 0-3.

1991 was the next time. 0-4 & 2-5

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Yeah I went in 1991. Ground just about starting to be Taylorised but the away end was dogshit. Done 4-0 but did it stop me attending the home leg just in case? Did it buggery. Lost 5-2.

[Bruce Rioja]

^ scratch that. You were right Bruce. In 1985 it was two legged and we lost 0-4 & 0-3.

1991 was the next time. 0-4 & 2-5

Aye. 91's the one I went to.

Not sure which one but I remember Metgod smacking in a screamer at our place.

[Burnden Paddock]

Yeah I went in 1991. Ground just about starting to be Taylorised but the away end was dogshit. Done 4-0 but did it stop me attending the home leg just in case? Did it buggery. Lost 5-2.

Thought it would have been just me who did that!

[TonyDomingos]

I was there as an 18 year old, the last time we beat them.

Which,according to https://www.11v11.com/teams/nottingham- ... Wanderers/ makes you 34.

My one and only time at Forest was as a 16yo. I saw a 3-3 draw in the Cup. They were European Champions at the time. I might be a wee bit older than you.

Was a remarkable result forus that. We were 3-2 up until late on too weren't we?

I remember the replay. A great game in which we just couldn't score. Lost 0-1 in extra time. My only trip to Forest was a 0-4 league cup hammering several years ago

Yup. They equalised about 5 mins from time IIRC.

A modern day equivalent would be us, in our current position, almost beating a full strength Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. Probably.

[TANGODANCER]

And so, to the Forest and deeds of valour and victory....??? What's the verdict?

[TANGODANCER]

Weather forecast doesn't look quite as bad as ours. Wooly hats, snoods, scarves, thermal underwear and gloves should do it. Right, that the players taken care of ...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Unchanged XI. Wheater on bench.