With no away win for two months, it’s pretty obvious that if we are - to coin a popular phrase - serious about promotion that we should be looking up to pick up all the points at the Withdean “stadium” on saturday. We’ve claimed 4 points from 6, and were unfortunate to only claim a draw at Bradford, whilst perhaps fortunate to claim three points against Northampton (although I think we deserved them) - so whilst results in the last two games have been okay - our performances have still been below our potential.
Brighton aren’t doing all that well, but as with us - their last game was a win - a 4-1 win against Leyton Orient. Before that they were really struggling to score - so hopefully our usually reliable(ish) defence can capitalise on this and all being well give us a clean sheet to build on. The drab surroundings of the Withdean will be boosted by a sell-out in the away end of hopefully vocal Forest fans backing the team, and Smoulderwood has a bit of a selection poser for the game.
Sammy Clingan is available again, as is new lad Luke Chambers after his forced omission from the squad to face Northampton Town. Kris Commons is also in the running for an appearance after completing 75 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly in which Chambers also featured (at right-back). Certainly Clingan would be straight in the team for Gary Holt for me. I’m not quite as vehemently anti-Holt as some fans, but Clingan does bring more to the pitch - but we would need to watch whether we’re covering back from midfield without Gary in the side.
I can’t really comment on Chambers but I don’t think our defence really needs tinkering with - if Commons is fully fit (or as close as fully fit as he gets) then I would be tempted to include him for his creativity - which is where the dilemma comes in - who would we drop to shoehorn him into the side? Perch? Harsh. Prutton? Harsh. Sacrifice a striker? Seems silly. It’s a tricky conundrum - I’d still just like to see a flat 4-4-2 formation, but without a right winger that means shoving Prutts or Perchy out on the right wing. Hmm. Maybe something like this could work:
Smith
Curtis Morgan Breckin Bennett
Perch Clingan Prutts Commons
Gr. Holt Tyson
But even then I’m forgetting Lester, who has worked hard to get back into first team contention and has made a difference in recent games. Maybe I would try to unleash the “wronged striker” in Grant and put him on the bench for Lester, hoping that it would trigger the best we’ve seen of him when he’s been inexplicably dropped or almost sold to Brizzle - as currently he seems to be entering the “moaning at the ref” cycle of his game.
All in all, tricky. I’m glad I’m a mere pleb and not the one who actually has to pick the team! But I digress from previewing this game, what of Brighton? They’re managed by Ray Wilkins’ little brother, although Dean doesn’t have the scary eyes thing going on. Another Dean is a player we might want to watch out for in midfield, Dean Hammond - he’s already weighed in with 10 goals this season.
It certainly won’t be easy, but on paper (ah, on paper - if only all games were played on paper we’d be promoted already!) we should have enough in the tank to win. I think if we do get the result, and do it convincingly, it will be a much needed tonic for fans and team alike - too many of the doom-merchants are surfacing on the message boards despite us remaining in a competitive position - they soon go quiet when the team does well. It’s almost like they enjoy failure more.
Click 
15 February, 2007 at 3:24 pm
Totally irrelevent to your piece nffc, but what the f*ck is Ken Bates doing advertising double glazing???????
15 February, 2007 at 3:29 pm
3 points here I reckon.
15 February, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Absolutely, too good for the seagulls. Sing your hearts out for the lads, lads.
15 February, 2007 at 3:57 pm
By the way, i’m new to this internet talking thing. Found this site by default, well done whoever set it up, more brain than I.
But i see there’s a website where you can sign a petition to have BC knighted. Only 300 signatures?! Come on forest lads, sign on!
15 February, 2007 at 4:00 pm
Diamond with Commo behind the front two?
Brighton had a good little striker in Jake Robinson earlier in the season. Not sure if he’s still there or if he was on loan but he looked quality.
They have always been tough at home Albion. This could be a tricky tie. Yet we seem to play more uninhibited away from home so hopefully we can play some good stuff.
15 February, 2007 at 4:30 pm
Just to remind everyone that the Seagulls have just sold their No1 keeper to Preston and now have (not-so-flying) Dutchman Kuipers in goal. UUU REEEDS
15 February, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Although of course Henderson had already lost his starting job lately anyway
15 February, 2007 at 6:16 pm
why don’t you all come down to the Withdean nice and complacent, and come a cropper on our ploughed pitch? We’ll have a mostly different team from the reverse fixture - Jakey will be on the bench
15 February, 2007 at 8:35 pm
I was worried we’d be short of bodies when CC trimmed the squad in Jan but with no obvious injuries or suspensions he now has the tricky decison of who does not make the squad!
Lets assume he plays the team above, which of the following 7 players doesnt make the bench?
Pedersen, Agogo, Gary Holt, McGugan, Lester, Dobie, Chambers
McGugan is the easiest option and perhaps if Dobie is carrying a knock then that will save CC from upsetting someone. Don’t be surprised if we have no reserve goalkeeper on the bench again though!
15 February, 2007 at 8:46 pm
I’m usually pretty accurate with this prediction thing - you will see that I predicted our thrashing of NT. Although the press only reported one goal, there were in fact almost a dozen, but that’s the media for you. This game is a dead cert for a 1-3 scoreline, if ever I’ve seen one. Our goals will come from Chambers, Prutton and Tyson, but not necessarily in that order. 3-4-3 formation, of course, with Commons on the bench until well into the second half, where he’ll replace Prutts. Remember, you read it here first!
15 February, 2007 at 9:05 pm
No complacency here, NYC-Gull, I wish I did feel complacent!
A pleasing amount of confidence though in the comments, let’s hope that the players are up for it!…
16 February, 2007 at 10:31 am
I noticed Chambers played at right back in the behind closed doors friendly mid week, so perhaps this is where we will start with him on Saturday. I like the idea of two young charging full backs - Bennett and Chambers. It may be the change the back four needs.
16 February, 2007 at 11:01 am
have to admit i’ve never seen chambers play. He must be a fair hand, as cc made him captain at northampton..?
It would be interesting to see him at full back, although i would have a certain amount of sympathy for whoever gets dropped, especially jules, as i reckon he has been as good as anyone since he got back in the side.
18 February, 2007 at 2:53 am
usual forest rubbish.
18 February, 2007 at 2:59 am
Whereas that comment was the epitome of wit and verve