Next Up: Tranmere Rovers

The second of three home games in a week, sees the Reds welcoming Tranmere to the City Ground. Rovers are in fine form at the moment and this will be a big test. Currently sitting in 3rd with 23 points, they are only 2 points ahead of us, so a win would very handy indeed. November will be a tricky month for the Super Whites, as they have games against Donny, Swansea and Oldham.

Forest have only taken 2 points from 12 in the last 4 games, with form and confidence taking a battering in the process. The early season free flowing, easy on the eye football seems to have deserted us for the moment. A good win on Saturday could bring it all back, but don't hold your breath.

Tranmere will of course have former Tricky Gareth Taylor in their ranks. So far this campaign he's hit the net 3 times and only been booked twice! No doubt he'll get his 3rd and 4th respectively against us.

Last week whilst we were putting in a no show at Luton, Rovers were giving Huddersfield a 3-0 spanking. We played on Tuesday to make up our game in hand and failed to deliver again in a 0-0 draw. CC will need to have the players in the right frame of mind for this one, as another below par performance will surely see the already anxious City Ground crowd grow even more nervous and intolerant and the team defeated in the process. Must win game? I think it is.

Rovers boss Ronnie Moore told their official website. 'You want games like this. It will be a big tester for us. They're under a bit of pressure at home...I like to think we'll go there and play our type of football and not be influenced by them. We're not afraid to go anywhere and play.'

Nathan Tyson may be fit and available after his knee injury and Wes Morgan will hopefully replace the latest fans target of hate Ian Breckin. Arron Davies will probably get a place in the starting 11, after his impressive debut in midweek. James Perch was also said to be in contention after his knee injury.

The CG faithful have only seen 30 mins worth of the player in a Red shirt, but it was enough to suggest he is going to be a crowd pleaser with his pace and willingness to run at defenders.

Calvin Zola will miss the game with a knee injury and Chris Shuker is a doubt with a thigh strain. Kevin Cooper has recently been signed on loan from Cardiff to cover for the long term injured Steve Davies.

If he plays, the former Man City player is the type of player who not only runs midfield, he can score as well. He's bagged 3 this season so far.

The two sides have had 14 meetings in the league. Forest have won 5, lost 1 and drawn 8.

Last season saw us draw 1-1 at the CG and 0-0 at Prenton Park.

I shouldn't really bother with these anymore, but here goes, 1-0 to the good guys.

FL1. Southend (h). Tues, Nov 6. 7.45pm.

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