Forest v Toon Match Preview

Nottingham Forest are back in action this weekend after the International break & welcome back Colin Calderwood who is now a coach at league leaders Newcastle United. While the two week break will have given Billy Davies the time he's wanted to work with his new squad it came at the wrong time for Forest with them hitting a winning run of three victories on the bounce & just one defeat in eight league games. This game looks to be a much tougher prospect, with all four league wins coming against teams in the bottom half of the table. The visit of the toon army could show just how far this new squad have come in recent times.

The gaffer is making sure we are keeping our feet on the ground and we've got a lot of work to do

Rob Earnshaw has reported back from International duty with an injury but he seems to be Forest's only new injury worry which gives Billy Davies the opportunity to announce an unchanged starting 11. Long term injuries to both Julian Bennett & James Perch are still keeping them out.

His Majesty has scored a couple of spectacular goals in his 7 league starts & seems to be finding his feet in the English game, if he can start to find a few assists to go with his all round performances so far he could be the find on the season.

The Nottinghamshire public will be delighted to hear that Joey Barton won't be arriving in the City due to undergoing surgery on his foot but Marlon Harewood will be playing at the City Ground again after agreeing to a three month loan deal with the Magpies.

With 5 goals and an assists to his name in just 11 championship starts, Nolan is proving to be a player clearly better than this level of football.

There have been 87 previous league fixtures between these two teams with Newcastle holding the superior record with 41 wins, Forest have taken maximum points 26 times & there have been 20 draws. Newcastle hold a significant lead on goals too with 134 to forest's 100.

Forest home record against Newcastle is better but the toon still hold a slight advantage with 17 wins to Forest's 16 in the 44 league encounters at the City Ground.

Paul Taylor of Hertfordshire will be the referee in this fxture, he last took charge of a Forest game in August 2008 when the reds went down 3 - 1 away to Swansea. He will be assisted by Nick Hobbis of the West Midlands and Michael Naylor of Sheffield. The Fourth Official will be Rob Shoebridge of Derbyshire.

Forest are very hit & miss at home but have yet to draw a game at the City Ground, so, our 1st home draw coming up, 1 - 1.

Tuesday, 20 October 19:45
The Football League Championship
Nottm Forest v Barnsley.

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