Pilgrims v Forest Preview

The last time we met Plymouth Argyle, was back in the ill fated relegation season of 2005. With only five games to go in which to avoid the drop, Forest put in one of their most miserable performances, of what was a very miserable season. We lost 3-0 at the City Ground in the last encounter, but times, they are a changing and the new look Forest can at least hope for better three years on.

We now have a set of players who at least look worthy of wearing the shirt, unlike some of the misfits and wasters that wore the Garibaldi back in 2005. Mercifully the likes of James, Doig, Melville, Taylor, Harris and Powell, have all been turfed out and in most cases never heard of again. Perch and Morgan are the only two players from that squad to still be around.

Back in the present and Forest are struggling again. But this time we have a bit more fight and ambition in the team. Our current lowly position of second from bottom, belies some fairly promising displays. Yes, we have a leaky defence, but elsewhere we look in good shape. (Huh, as I write, I see Earnie will be missing, so scrap the last bit). Calderwood has tried to bolster the backline with the addition of Joel Lynch from Brighton on loan. Whether he plays, remains to be seen, but hopefully he will as CC needs to make changes at the back.

The Pilgrims have had a stuttering start to the season themselves. Currently sitting in 18th with 8 points, they had a decent result last week, beating Crystal Palace away 2-1. With the likely return of former Man City striker Emile Mpenza, they should not be taken lightly.

The Reds' are still looking for their first win on the road and Home Park will be seen as a good a place as any to get it. Although the Forest faithful have been patient with things so far, you get the feeling that a win is needed now to keep the fans unrest at bay.

Mpenza made his first start in over a year in a reserve game this week. He could be in contention for a place in the starting lineup.

Gallagher is on loan from Prem side Blackburn and is the clubs top scorer so far with 3. He's a proven striker and more than capable of putting the fear of God in our defence.

Earnie is definitely out. Where our goals will come from now is anyone's guess. Tyson will need a partner, so Cole could get his much demanded start. Also out will be McGugan and the usual suspects of Anderson, Garner and probably Davies.

He will have the perfect opportunity to show us all that he 'aint finished yet. If newspaper reports are to be believed, he's practically demanding his place in the starting 11. He hasn't shown anything yet to suggest he deserves it, but now may be his chance to show us what he can do and make us eat our words.

The two sides have met a total of 40 times in the League. It's honours even, with 17 wins each and 6 draws. Last time out it was a 3-0 win to Plymouth at the City Ground and a 3-2 win to them at Home Park back in 2004/5.

A 1-0 win to the Reds'! No sense or reasoning says it will be, but the eternal optimist in me says, we have to win away sometime.

FLC. Crystal Palace (h). October 6, 2008. KO 3pm.

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