Oldham v Forest Preview

Forest travel to Boundary Park for the Boxing Day fixture where they will try and bring to an end the hoodoo the Latics have held over us since 1993. That's the last time the Reds beat Oldham, in a game that saw us run out 2-0 winners. Since then, they have become something of a bogey side to say the least. Suffice to say that most fans would take a draw and see it as a good result.

If Forest want to maintain their position at the summit of League 1, they may have to aim for more than a draw though. That will be easier said than done, because the Latics are in a rich vein of form. Unbeaten in their last ten outings, they managed to get their 5th away win on the bounce on Saturday, with an impressive 1-0 away win at Southend.

That man Lee Hughes got the goal at Roots Hall. He joined Oldham after finishing a three stretch for causing death by reckless driving. That's murder to you and me. Normally I wouldn't even mention the former jailbird, but on the Latics OS it says 'he left the game in 2004 for personal reasons.' No he didn't. He went to prison for killing someone. Anyhow, after a slow start for the Latics, he's banging them in for fun now. Also in the Oldham ranks is former keeper Mark Crossley. Old Norm is in a fine run of form himself and got the man of the match award for his performance on Saturday. At 38 he still has what it takes to command a first team place.

This game has all the ingredients for it to be a real Christmas cracker. So long as Forest play to their capabilities, a result is not beyond them. They sit on top of the table on merit and should be confident in getting the job done. Any return to our old ways and Oldham will be more than capable to heap even more misery on our shoulders.

Club captain Neil Eardley should make a return after finishing a 1 match ban. No such luck though for marksmen and Reds tormentor Andy Liddell, he misses the game with an Achilles injury, as does defender Sean Gregan.

Scored 7 goals in 13 games. The former jailbird's partner in crime up front is Craig Davies with 10 goals to his name this season. They'll have to be watched carefully.

Forest are once again expected to be without the influential defender Kelvin Wilson with a thigh strain. Hitman Tyson is not expected to make the game after going off in the weekend game against Port Vale with a tight hamstring.

Got his 10th of the season in the 2-0 home win over the Valiants on Saturday. He'll be trying to bag as many as he can before flying off to the ACON tournament in January.

It's pretty much honours even despite the damage done in recent years. In all League meetings between the sides. Forest have won 17, lost 17 and drawn 7.

Earlier this season at the City Ground, the game ended in a 0-0 draw. Last season though, the Latics gave us a 5-0 pasting at Boundary Park and a 2-0 thumping at home. The previous season was the now infamous 3-0 humiliation that cost Gary Megson his job.

1-1.

Gillingham (A). December 29, 2007

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