Often Partisan

Forest Preview in Association with EZE Group

Blues take in Forest this afternoon hoping to extend a four match unbeaten run that has coincided with Gary Rowett’s appointment as manager. Former player and “superboy” Trevor Francis is guest of honour on Trevor Francis Day, having starred for both clubs.

Forest

The Tricky Trees lie in eighth place in the table, eleven places and nine points better off than Blues and come into the game on the back of a 3-0 nil thumping of Wolves at Molineux. Although they have won their last two games Stuart Pearce’s men hadn’t won in ten games prior to that in all competitions and their clean sheet on Saturday was their first since the end of September.

Forest have no new injury concerns and may play Jack Hunt and Tom Ince in the team today, the latter in place of former Blues winger Chris Burke – however one must wonder if Pearce will change a team that won so convincingly last week.

Blues

Blues have no new injury issues and could welcome Guy Moussi into the squad against his former team. The sole question really would be if Dimmi Gray retains his slot on the left of midfield or if Rowett prefers Koby Arthur or Lee Novak over him; Wes Thomas is serving the second match of a three match suspension and Denny Johnstone has gone on loan to Macclesfield Town.

This promises to be a tough match for Blues – Forest are probably a bit more confident now than they were a couple of weeks ago and will be looking to restart their challenge for the top of the table. However, this Blues side is resurgent and I’ve started to think we can get a result against anyone again – which is a much nicer feeling than it has been for a while.

PS – Happy Birthday Mr Pavlakis. Let’s hope for three points to celebrate it with…

Match previews sponsored by EZE Group - Lifestyle Experts

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75 Responses to “Forest Preview in Association with EZE Group”

  • Lee says:

    Buzzing, can’t wait

  • Dave mann says:

    I can’t understand for the like of me why some fans want Arthur or Novak ahead of gray….we’re you there at Rotherham? That was our best performance under Gary rowett and the great man said it himself and we WON and should have scored 3 or 4 ..stop going down the lee Clark road of changing for changing sake just because of the opposition… We start the 11 against Rotherham and let them worry about us and not the other way round…. Forget horses for courses bollocks its not a horse race and anyway Arthur or Novak are not good enough at this moment in time to be in the starting 11 so leave them on the bench and lets see what they can do later when they come on in which they will…. Same11 for me so stop worrying about what forest have because ime sure rowett is just concerned about us and not like Clark who worried to much about the opposition..I’ve made my point!!! Lol&kro

  • Lee says:

    I think the one thing rowett has picked up on quickly is the level of player he’s managing at blues, hi ability to do this is what’s got us results so far, by understanding our opposition and playing in ways to nullify them but also giving us options going forward, his explanation on how he used shinnie against Watford was mint, he knew the threat and took it away, the only time you let the opposition worry about yourselves is if you have a good squad, having said that if you listen to lampard and terry under mourhino they all get given a detailed analysis of the opposition every game, rowett has worked wonders so far and is finding the right balance, which is also helping build confidence and self belief amongst the players, which is as they say 90% of the game

  • Tony E says:

    Forest have some of the best players in the division, until last few games they’ve underperformed, let us hope that their good players don’t turn up and ours play to their optimum.

  • andy says:

    Biggest test under Rowett this game will be, but I think the crowd can help spur the players onto a much needed St Andrews victory. Happy birthday Mr Pavlakis

  • Jaffa says:

    Win loose or draw we will give Forest a game today.

  • Luke says:

    IMO, the important thing for Blues is momentum. GR has the team up for games, believing in themselves and playing with positivity. Even if we lose today, it’s important the team gives Forest a good match to keep morale high, especially with a very winnable match coming up next. No capitulation.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Other than Assombalonga, I’m not worried about Forest at all. For me, it’s a win all day long. 2-1 Blues.

  • Dave mann says:

    Jaffas right that win , loose or draw we will give forest a game unless its called off of course but there’s not much chance of that… A win..great..a draw..ok..a loss..not the end of the world but I would love to see us keep this run going into blackpool next Saturday which will be another great day to look forward to and confidence is the vital ingredient at the moment so long may it continue. Lol&kro

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I think the next 4 games are extremely winnable. The acid test will be the two Xmas games. If we can go into those two with another 8 or 10 points, the new year will be looking bright.

  • Dave mann says:

    That’s derby and forest again staffs so if we can get through those 4 games you’ve mentioned and n made it 8 unbeaten then that will be an achievement and Xmas watching blues will be a bit more bearable then we normally do well round that time anyway don’t we? ….didn’t our long unbeaten runs under mcleish and Clark come round the turn of one year into another? I think ime right!! Lol&kro

  • Dave mann says:

    I think there’s every chance and Morrison as been a rock for us so far and if we can get him on loan a bit longer and with zigic on the verge of his comeback ime feeling quite optimistic . Lol&kro

  • Raymondo says:

    Why it took our owners so long to realise that LC’s tactical knowhow was nothing but guesswork makes you wonder why such people go into business. GR is the real thing as a manager. What a difference! I think that if we get a draw today against a team of very good players we can count ourselves equal to them and stop worrying.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Looks like we’ll feature on the Football League Show tonight…. Baldy Clem is standing by the tunnel with a microphone. About time. :-)

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Excellent result… and I got the score right. :) Should have been more though. Only criticism was that we stood off them too much second half and gave them too much time and space to play. Their goal had been coming for 10 minutes.

    11 points from 15 is an excellent haul. We could be mid-table by next Saturday. :) David Davis MOTM for me.

    • Chas says:

      Talk me through the Penalty incident please, Staffs.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        The ball was going in from a corner iirc, it was blocked on the line and the Blues players ran after the ref, but he ignored them. Not sure what happened, but the ref went over to the 4th official, then ran back and pointed to the spot. he then sent Assombalonga off.

        • StaffsBlue says:

          I can only assume that, maybe, the 4th official called the ref over… because he wasn’t going to give anything at first.

          • Chas says:

            hanks Staffs. The Bloke on the BBC Commentary said it was definitely going in and the Forest bloke punched it over the Bar, then said Justice has been served. Just wanted a Blues Fan’s perspective.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            That 4th official deserves a few pints tonight. :)

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Oh dear. Will Packwood sent off on his debut for Colchester United today… and they lost 6-0 to MK Dons.

  • Chas says:

    Just been reading a Forest Forum, one bloke reckon s it was all Forest and we were shite, but he was corrected by a Fan who knew what he was talking about. :-)

    • StaffsBlue says:

      That’s laffable. Other than the first 10 minutes of the first half and the middle bit of the second, Forest weren’t really in it. 9 shots to our 17… 2 corners to our 10? Says it all. I think they had more shots on target in the last 5 minutes than at any other time.

  • Raymondo says:

    Can’t wait for next Saturday afternoon!

  • RichardM says:

    Just heard Stan Collymore on the radio bleating on about the injustice of it all “How could the 4th official call it from 50 years away” he moaned. Of course the fact that he’s an ex-Forest player and Villa fan had nothing to do with it – but fair play to Stuart Pearce for having the balls to agree it was the right decision (and even praise the 4th official for calling it).

  • steve says:

    Even Stuart Pearce said justice had been done with the penalty. As for Collybollocks,he should be questioning how the Ref and the Linesman could get it so wrong. I think GR made the changes to early,we were comfortable until then.Very good performance again from Blues.We made Forest look a very ordinary side.

  • Hillfield blue says:

    They’re all crying cos after thumping the dingles away last week forest expected something today. A few are waiting for the Rowett bubble to burst but we just keep getting stronger. Great day today.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    Great win today. I thought Gleeson and Davis were outstanding, but the whole team deserved a bow.
    Blues were very disciplined and kept their shape brilliantly. I thought the substitutions were predictable and right, because Novak’s strength over Gray’s trickery and Reilly’s bite in the tackle over Shinnie’s quick feet were needed to solidify the team to repel Forest’s late attacks.

  • Bluenosesol says:

    Even if the penalty was wrongly given, it would have been poetic justice! I sat dead in line of the Forest goal and he was nearly 2 yards offside. 2 of our players remonstrated with the linesman but no mention of that by the Forest fans who are screaming injustice. Bring on Blackpool!!

  • Dave mann says:

    Absolutely chuffed with the result and like staffs I called it 2-1 though it could have been 3-1 or 4-1 but what confidence can do for the players who played like a team and looked dangerous every time we went forward and also defended manly throughout ….Gary rowett has the Midas touch and so did that 4th official to be the only one of them to see a blatant hand ball and a deserved second goal that I new caddis was going to score and not like the one against Bournemouth when I knew he was going to miss….22points now..9of the playoffs and 4points clear of the bottom….I know which way were going and ime buzzing with excitement for Blackpool next Saturday….. Ime already on the coach with a bacon sandwich and a can of larger in tow, can’t wait to teach mr Clark a footballing lesson…cushty!!!!!! Lol&kro…..oh and the big man might be on the bench to, life with blues is feeling good again.

  • Chris W says:

    What a great day all round.
    The way both supporters acknowledged the 21 who died in the Birmingham Pub Bombings, Trevor Francis’s achievement’s and appreciation and of course the result.
    Blues went about their business as a unit and until the last 15 minutes always looked comfortable.
    They then dropped deeper and allowed Forest more space which culminated in their goal, even though her looked a yard offside. This kicked Blues back into action and instead of curling up as they have in the past could well have had two goals before the climax.
    I have often wondered what the 4th official actually does apart from holding up a board for substitutions, against Forest he proved they do have a role to play.
    Fair play to both the referee and linesman for acknowledging they got it wrong and the right decision was eventually made.
    Surely this is a case for modern technology to be used more often, especially for crucial decisions as this was.
    GR’s Blue and White Army goes marching on and should be interesting next weekend in Blackpool.
    KRO+DNM

  • Luke says:

    Wow. Another great result and strong, confident performance. Watched the feature on the FLS this morning – Rowett came across very well. Can’t believe he has an office with no windows though!

    Bet Victor still offering 5-1 on Blues finishing top half…

    Well done Staffs on calling the score.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Took my daughter and granddaughter on the stadium tour, year before last.. and I can assure you, the manager’s office isn’t the only one with no windows. There are a few claustrophobic rooms there. Maybe it’s so there are no distractions?

  • Dave mann says:

    I took £10 bet on blues making the playoffs yesterday at 10/1 so nothing to loose there and £100 to win which I will use for the playoff semi – finals….fingers crossed on that one but massive result yesterday and the turn around quite staggering and lee your right mate that rowett came across brilliantly on the FLS and the banter about pressing the source when they were down to ten men and stoping the ball getting into the box with the comment saying ” but in me being a bit harsh there ” and having a laugh was truly inspiring and roll on Blackpool …can’t wait is an understatement!!!! Lol&kro.

  • Sue Gascoyne says:

    Bit off topic but whats happened to the Blues Chat – bcfcforum.co.uk. Haven’t been able to get to it yesterday or today.

    Great win today

  • Davey says:

    I’m taking full responsibility for our upturn in form.
    The wife bought me a three quarter length prince of Wales check Peeky Blinders coat just after the Bornemouth loss to cheer me up.
    I started to wear it at the Dingles game, you know where I’m going with this, lol.
    she’s getting me the trousers next week, Stand by for take off.
    Lol KRO

    • Raymondo says:

      The day before the Wolves game my 8 year old great niece made me a wristband with her weaving kit in Blues colours. I have worn it throughout every match since and they havent lost. I daren’t not wear it on match days now in case I jinx the team! She rings me on match days to make sure I’m wearing it. She says she’ll put a spell on me if I haven’t got it on! Oooher!

  • Davey says:

    Manny
    Sorry for nicking your Monica
    KRO
    To the end of the road.

  • BhamCityJulian says:

    If you looked at GR’s office did you notice that there were only three bottles of wine hanging on the wall. They used to be 20 did there?

  • Bluenosesol says:

    Interesting to note that the Blackpool fans were up in arms when they heard Oyston was talking to Rowett about the Blackpool Job!! KRO…..

  • The Flying Pig says:

    Davis, in particular, was superb and my MOM. A mention too for Donaldson who put in a great shift and for Morrison, who just keeps doing the simple things well – no fuss, just head it or clear it.

    As Chris W says, it was a pretty good day all round; better still when justice was done with the penalty.

    Since when has the 4th official been allowed to make a call like that?

    Incidentally, I thought the ref was poor all game; he seemed particularly biased towards Forest in the first, then gave us a few iffy ones in the second.

  • Dave mann says:

    It was a very good team performance pig and again I won’t pick out individuals because that’s unfair but roll on Blackpool . Kro

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I don’t think it’s wrong to pick out individuals who you think have stood out dave. That’s why there’s always been a Man of the Match award. For me, David Davis was the star performer on Saturday, but there were others who ran him close. Other people would choose a different player. Football is all about opinions.

  • Luke says:

    I’d be interested to know what people think of Jonathan Grounds. It’s difficult to get a real perspective watching on-line (I live abroad so don’t often get to Stans).

    I get the impression he’s a bit error-prone?

    • StaffsBlue says:

      Grounds is prone to the odd rickett, especially balls played high and backwards, but other than that, he’s pretty solid. Doesn’t attack enough for a modern full back (as Hancox does,) but then, he’s a defender and as long as he does that well, that’s ok by me. I’d give him 7/10 for the season so far.

      • Chris W says:

        I agree Staffs, he offers extra height over Hancox and I think he has improved as the season has progressed. Since GR has come in and played a setted back four all the defence have stood strong, everyone is prone to the odd error but they are playing and covering for each other now.
        I wouldn’t argue for a 7 so far.
        KRO+DNM

        • StaffsBlue says:

          To be fair to the previous manager Chris, we’ve had a pretty settled back 5 all season. That actually changed when Rowett came in a brought Morrison. Randolph has played 18 games, Caddis 17, Robinson 15 and Grounds 18. Edgar had started 14 until his sending off. All that indicates a more or less settled defence all season.

  • Dave mann says:

    He looks much better under rowett than he did under Clark but that’s all down to confidence I suppose. Kro.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    The difference since Rowett took over and our superb defensive record I feel is not only Morrison’s arrival and a settled defence, but the settled combination of Gleeson and Davis protecting the back four.
    This allows Gray, Shinnie and Cotterill (all not noted for their defensive qualities) to express themselves knowing that they have cover should the move break down.

  • mark says:

    felt it was a great result still very disappointed in seeing empty seats, if where was a high percentage in getting rid of clark…..where are those fans?? cannot put it solely down to football…. Its amazing it took the players so long to find their confidence, and a a bit of lady luck. and yes GR quoted luck yesterday but do i care, even if came of the ref backside…..kro

    looks like the HK PROTESTS are intensifying ……….

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I have to say, that when they announced that there were over 18,000 there, I was gobsmacked. Looking around the ground, there were a lot of empty seats… didn’t look anywhere near 18,000.

      • Richard Granfield says:

        Staffs….The stadium capacity is a nominal 30,000. So there were 12,000 empty seats.
        When we took 48,000 fans to Wembley in 1991 for the Leyland Daf Trophy Final against Tranmere our average home attendance that season was 7,030!
        I am afraid that it will take more than 5 games unbeaten for our fickle fans to return.

  • mark says:

    well to see out TF grace our pitch again i would have given him 10 mins off the bench worth million times more than zig lol…..kro

  • Dave mann says:

    Mark, were banging our heads against a brick wall with this one mate…Trevor Francis day, gary rowett as manager, team playing well and staying unbeaten , Black Friday the day before when people who can’t rub two pound coins together go out and spend hundreds or thousands of pounds and some fans say they can’t afford it when there’s more money around now than ever before or they make the excuse because of the owners!!! …fans don’t go mark because they don’t want to full stop and as long as I don’t hear them say that there supporters on here or to my face ime fine with that…those of you who live or work abroad I will not include in that but everyone else who lives in and around the city are included!. Kro .

  • TracyKRO says:

    Its there choice making excuses not to go or buy anything cause of owners it makes me laugh.
    You could be dead and gone before that’s happens.
    The team was great, for me mom was Donaldson he ran his socks of but there again they all played well.
    Wish I was going to Blackpool
    KRO


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