It’s shit-or-bust time for Forest now – to stand even a vague chance of clinching automatic promotion, we realistically need to win our three remaining games. Even if this not inconsiderable feat (when you take our somewhat less than consistent form into account) is achieved, then obviously Bristol City could match our results and thus make our final placing academic. Not a great position to be in, but all we can influence is our own games – so we must concentrate on them.
Bournemouth are not safe from relegation worries yet, so certainly still have something to play for – and in doing so have chalked up a decent run of form lately. They of course also beat us at the Fitness First Stadium earlier this season – a game this long-suffering fan will long remember after a tiresome journey to witness such a dreary performance from the boys in yellow shirts.
Injuries have taken their toll on both side – we, of course, are without long-term injury victims Sammy Clingan, Nathan Tyson and Junior Agogo – and also look set to be without the services of Wes Morgan who has an ankle injury. Felix Bastians has been recalled from Gillingham to offer us more attacking options, and from the scattered feedback I’ve read from the Gills forums, their fans were sorry to see the youngster recalled early.
The Cherries too have injury problems – perhaps least surprising is Darren “sicknote” Anderton, who has a groin injury that is likely to keep him out of contention – which is good for us as reports I’ve read suggest he’s been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance with Bournemouth. There are slight doubts over their keeper and Josh Gowling in defence, but both are expected to be cleared to play.
The have a number of dangermen to look out for – Hayter is always a threat, and McGoldrick (on loan from Southampton) has been on a rich vein of goal-scoring form. They also have the tricky youngster Brett Pitman, who scored against us from the penalty spot earlier in the season – so certainly the Reds defence shouldn’t be expecting an easy time of it from the Cherries.
I’ve all but given up on predictions – the bottom line is that only a win is good enough, and even that will be tainted if Bristol manage to break Carlisle’s excellent run of form and pick up a win on their travels at the same time. Bournemouth won’t roll over, so to triumph we need to show passion, effort and some guile as well – so let’s hope the lads are up for it!
Filed under: News
I think we owe these one after the turn up at their place.
I predict that we won’t score more than 6 goals. Remember – you read it here first!