Saturday marks Smoulderwood’s second chance this season to put one over his old club, having succeeded in nabbing three points earlier in the season at Northampton. Forest are on a poor run of form, all told, having been denied three points by a last minute equaliser at Bradford last weekend. We’re still in the race at the top - but a continuation of poor form will see our chances of automatic promotion fading. The Cobblers are on a run of three straight defeats which bodes well - but as the relegation zone looms into clearer view they will be keen to arrest their decline.
Sammy Clingan is suspended for this match, and Luke Chambers is unable to play as a condition of his transfer to us - but we are able to welcome back Kris Commons into the squad, it seems unlikely he’ll start. Northampton are hoping to field former-Red Chris Doig, and another ex player Eoin Jess is also likely to feature - although he was dropped from their previous match against Port Vale. The game will, of course, be notable for being David Prutton’s second home debut for Forest.
Hopefully Chris Doig will be fit to face us, as last time we met in August he conceded a penalty (which we missed!), but then secured the points for us with an unfortunate own goal. It might be interesting to keep an eye on Deuchar upfront for the Cobblers - drafted in as a loan as the window closed from Gretna - where his goal tally was impressive, but admittedly at several levels lower than he now finds himself.
Forest are five points off the top with a game in hand, and must capitalise on this - three points from this game are essential so the players will need to perform accordingly. With Oldham two points ahead (and no game in hand here), Bristol City a point below and Yeovil just two points behind - it’s uncomfortably close at the helm of the table - particularly when you consider that we were seven points clear at one point in the season. It’s most certainly time Forest ended their dodgy run - and this is the perfect opportunity for them to get the home crowd back on side.
Click 
9 February, 2007 at 3:03 pm
I think the three points tomorrow are absolutely needed in order to stay in the race.
I gather several games could be postponed due to frozen pitches (which could mean our games-in-hand advantage could disappear) so we must win to shift the pressure to Scunny, Oldham and BC. Plus, NT are not on their best either and seem to be quite vulnerable away from home. After the Tranmere draw, CC had said that we should need ten more wins for automatic promotion. So far we have just the one against Yeovil and we must achieve the other 9 in 16 games… I think the boss should have a talk with Ian McParland…
9 February, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Time to start making our home advantage count. I think there’s what, 8 home games left including this one.
This is a game we should win. The only question mark is how good the win will be.
A draw or defeat is absolutely out of the question regardless of current form.
We should all give Prutts a reception to make him believe he should never have left in the first place and, regardless of our believes and divides regarding the club off the pitch, get right behind the team for this one.
COME ON YOU REDS!!
9 February, 2007 at 8:31 pm
This is a certain win for us - of the kind where the videprinter man has to record the scores in words as well as numbers, to douse disbelief. 6, 7, or 8 nil. It’s time we actually got into gear, and its going to be tomorrow, and Northampton are going to cop it. And boy, do we need it.
YOU REDS!!!