Forest To Finish In Top 2 - Slade

Russell Slade is the man who masterminded the downfall of Forest in the playoff defeat at the City Ground last year, when few people gave his Yeovil side a prayer after being 2-0 down from the first leg.

He's done a great job with the Somerset side and if I'm honest i have a begrudging respect for them. Although he inflicted the most pain I and many other Forest fans have suffered over the years of following the Reds, you have to admire the way he has them playing. They are where they are on merit. Only four years ago they were playing Conference football and they are now one of the most attractive teams in the division. They were soundly beaten in the playoff final by Blackpool last season, but don't be too surprised to see them do well again this time round. At present they sit in fourth place in League 1 and are looking good.

Slade has been impressed with what he's seen of Forest so far and has kept a keen eye on them. He's even admitted in the past that he's a fan. He is a Nottingham lad. He told the Western Morning News . 'Make no mistake, Forest will be a top-six side, if not in the top two. They are beginning to settle down and recover from last season, and they'll be up there - there's no question. They probably play with that little bit more energy and invention this season compared to last season, and I think any kind of result for us on Saturday will be OK.'

Forest will be up for it today and it will be a hard fought game. Revenge is probably the wrong word, but the players will still be hurting from that Friday night, at least they should be. By the time 5 O'clock comes round, I think we'll have a better idea about a few things this season. Are Forest a better outfit? Does CC have the tactical nous to get us out of this division? And will Slade make a mug of CC again? We'll soon find out.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.

Join the Vital Fantasy Football League - its Free!