Pool Set For Sea Change

Forest take on Blackpool on Tuesday as we enter the business end of the football season. To say things are getting a little tense on Trentside would be an understatement. After the latest defeat at the hands of Brighton, the message boards have been filled with the predictable 'Doughty Out' and 'Calderwood Out' campaigns.

Forest have the perfect opportunity to silence the doubters with a win against playoff hopefuls Blackpool. A win is vital, to restore confidence in the players and supporters alike. With fourteen games of the campaign left, now would be a convenient time to put something of a run together, especially as eight of them are at home, where we seem to fair a little better than when on our travels.

Until recently Pool were sitting pretty in a playoff place, but poor results in their last three games has seen them slip to 8th in the table. Saturday's game saw them fall 1-0 at home to Bristol City. A lack of goals would appear to be the Tangerines main down fall, as defensively they seem pretty solid, they boast the same goal difference as The Reds with +10.

Last time the two sides met Forest ran out rather lucky 2-1 winners, despite Lester missing a penalty. The game will probably be best remembered from a Forest point of view because it seemed Lester and Holt spent months arguing who had actually hit the winner. Still not sure if they have resolved it.

This will be an important game for both sides as they vie for the spoils, but a win for The Reds could signal a change and an up turn in fortunes for the side this season. Defeat on the other hand could have the opposite effect, then again maybe I'm over dramatising things.

The main news from the Forest camp is good news for Blackpool as Nathan Tyson will be missing as he starts a three game ban for his sending off at the weekend. Fans will be hoping for the return of Clingan in midfield and Kris Commons could also be in with a shout. Dobie and Agogo will also be looking for a place in the starting line up as Calderwood will be sure to ring the changes after the Brighton display.

The creative midfielder has done well since his return and has been influential and at the heart of anything decent the Reds have produced in recent weeks. A good performance from him is essential if we are to get anything from the game.

Striker Andy Morrell has missed the last two games and may be ready for a return. Manager Simon Grayson was keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the chances of his playing. Simon Gillett is also set to return after he rejoined the side from Southampton.

Vernon is the clubs top scorer with thirteen in all competitions.

Blackpool will be searching for revenge as many of their fans believe we nicked the points at Bloomfield Road. The history books show we have won 28 games, to Blackpool's 22. 19 have been drawn.

The form book might suggest a draw for this one, but Forest have to throw that one out of the window. A win is essential to stay in touch with the leaders. A win could see us back in 2nd spot, so with heart rather than head I shall plump for a tense 2-1 win for the Reds.

Chesterfield, away. February 24, 2007. 3pm.

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