Through the seasons before us..

To say this game is pretty crucial is an understatement. I would go so far as to say that it is CRUCIAL. In big red letters and capitals and everything. The scary thing is, it’s no more crucial that all our remaining games, but nonetheless, we must follow the old adage and think not beyond the next game. Given Bristol City’s slip up midweek against Bradford, the pressure is on Forest to ensure that we keep up the pace as best we can with a win - and the problem word in that sentence is pressure, because so far Forest haven’t handled that all that well.

Even the normally cautious Forest website suggests that a return of six points from back-to-back home games against Gillingham and Cheltenham would represent a massive disappointment - and they’re right, it would - because of course, after these two home games we must travel to Ashton Gate for the game many see as a potential decider for automatic promotion. Of course, there are six more games after that one which could change everything, but it’s still pretty damn important.

The Gills beat Crewe in their last outing, although hadn’t won in four games prior to this - they have slight relegation worries but as they are now sitting eight points clear of the damned league places, they should feel relatively non-pressured. That said, ourselves and the Gills have been league companions for some time, and as such have built up an almost-rivalry that would see the Kent side very keen to register a result - be it Andy Hessenthaler’s flagrant rugby tackling of a clean-through Andy Reid, or Eugen Bopp relegating them along with us a couple of years ago - there’s a bit of history there, albeit quite poxy in the grand scheme of things.

Alan Wright is likely to go straight into the starting eleven in place of the suspended Bennett - personally I’m pleased as this would signify that Smoulds intends to stick with a back four which frankly, is better than a back three. If only he’d got us a right winger as well - then we’d have all the personnel we need! Prutton is likely to remain sidelined, and Jack Lester has a slight injury worry, although is thought to be fit enough to play a part in the fixture - which is good news as he’s been our creative outlet of late!

Matty Jarvis is apparently injured, although I’ve read conspiracists suggesting that even now a deal still may be struck for him (although not until summer), and Nicky Southall can’t play as part of the agreement letting him re-join the Gills. There is also likely to be a degree of dischord or doubt in the dressing room as Gills boss Ronnie Jepson is constantly being linked with the job vacancy at Huddersfield (as is our beloved former manager Gary Megson).

We’ve beaten the Gills twice this season already - within about a week in the league and Johnstone’s Paint Trophy. Our league win at Priestfield was thanks to a Nicky Southall goal from close range, which helped us bounce back from a 4-0 home mauling against Scunthorpe back in October. Nicky didn’t celebrate his goal, which even then aroused speculation that he would be returning to Pikeyville at some point - he later cleared a ball of the line to save us the three points. Jack and Grant scored in a 2-1 win four days later at the same ground in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy - so at least we still have two players who’ve found the net aginst them this season!

I hate the phrase must-win, and of course - must-win games are always clouded by the other results around the country - but since we’re only the masters of our own fixtures, then we really must be looking to get three points against a Gills side who will make it bloody difficult for us to get them. They won’t want to register a triple-defeat against us this season, and I imagine will come to frustrate and hit on the break. If they are missing Matty Jarvis this will be a boost, but the Reds will have to work hard to get a win the fans are expecting, and when our fans expect something, they’re not often patient about it - so an early breakthrough would be easiest all round - if you don’t mind, Reds!