Forest v Swansea: 1st Leg Preview

There's been something of a begrudging respect in recent years between Nottingham Forest and Swansea City supporters, due mainly I suppose, to the fact that we spent time together in the grave yard of football, better known as League 1 and also because we were promoted to the Championship together back in 2008. That respect could come to a swift end though over the next few days, as both clubs go head to head over 2 legs, in the Championship Playoff semi final. The prize at stake for the winners is a date at Wembley, where the ultimate prize on offer to the eventual winners, is a place amongst the footballing elite in the English Premier League.

This will be the 4th occasion that Forest have taken part in this end of season lottery and as we all know, we have yet to taste success, having failed at the semi final stage in all of the previous 3. Sheffield United, Yeovil and last season Blackpool, have all inflicted heartbreaking defeats on the supporters of this once great club, but there is an unusual air of optimism surrounding the place at the moment, which of course ultimately makes another Playoff defeat all the harder to bare.

30,000 tickets for this game were snapped up within 4 days of them going on sale, which is a credit to the fans, who have in the main stuck with the club through some pretty lean times. That support could finally get it's reward, if they can take a good result to South Wales, for the 2nd leg on Monday night. It will be tense, it will be tight, but it will be a game played by two proper football teams, so may the best team win and failing that....just for once....please God, let it be us!

Billy Davies says Findley, Tyson and Lynch should be back in contention, but there is a rumour that Findley is once again crocked. Camp and Moussi, who limped off during the 3-0 win over Palace at the weekend, have both been declared fit.

13 goals this season has made him our top scorer. It's not just about the goals though, it's about his all round game. If he plays well over the 2 legs, then so will the rest of the team and we will have a great chance.

Swansea midfielder Joe Allen is a doubt, but is expected to be fit. He took a knock to the shoulder, in their 4-0 win over Sheffield United last weekend

The Swans midfielder is arguably the buy of the season, at £500,000 from Chelsea. Like McGugan, he's the playmaker in the side and also the top scorer with 19 goals so far for the season. He almost single handedly tore us a new one at the Liberty earlier this year, when we managed to escape with a 3-2 defeat. If Forest are to have any success, it's imperative for us that we keep Sinclair quiet.

We battered them 3-1 at home and they battered us 3-2 away. So it's pretty much honours even up until now. In 58 league meetings between the teams, Forest have won 24, drawn 13 and lost 21.

Mr. Mike Dean (Wirrall).

1st leg prediction is a 3-1 win to the Reds'. Said more in hope than judgement.

Would you Adam and Eve it? It's Swansea again, on Monday night.

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