Cherries v Forest: Preview

After the disappointment over the lack of signings in the transfer window, Forest get back to the serious business of playing football as they take on a struggling Bournemouth side at the Fitness First Stadium.

After the midweek matches, the Reds dropped down to 3rd place, following the 0-0 draw with the Swans. Bournemouth sit 3 places off the bottom of the pile on 26 points and are 4 points from safety. That means a win is vital for both sides for differing reasons.

It was a visit to the Cherries last season that started the slide from the top of the table and ultimately promotion, when they beat us 2-0. Hopefully the same won't happen again. At least the squad is stronger than last year and you would hope they will be more than a match for the perennial strugglers in League 1. That said, they have had some success over us in recent years and are capable of getting a result. Our recent form of 2 points from 12 in the last 4 away games, needs to be improved on if we are to maintain our push for promotion.

Cherries boss Kevin Bond told the Daily Echo. 'In my heart of hearts, I thought there was no way we could get a result when we played them last season but we deserved our 2-0 win.

'They are a good outfit and I've seen them a couple of times recently. They ought to be where they are and they definitely ought to go up this season. I hope they don't do well against us but I hope they go up because Colin Calderwood is a good guy.'

The Cherries have several injury worries and will wait on the fitness of Russ Perrett, Neil Young and Shaun Cooper. They have long term injuries in keeper Neil Moss and midfielder Steve Foley. Former England international Darren Anderton has a hamstring strain and is unlikely to make the game.

Vokes has this week turned down a move to Crewe in favour of Bournemouth. The striker has bagged 5 goals this term and the local lad will be looking to add to his tally against us.

The Reds will definitely be without McGugan, who sits out the game through suspension after picking up his 5th yellow card of the season. Chris Cohen should make a return after missing the Swansea game through illness. Agogo is of course still away at the ACON.

Tyson is just about back to full fitness now after his hamstring injury and we need him to start finding the net on a regular basis. He has the ability if he can only keep himself off the treatment table.

The two sides have only met 9 times in the league. Forest have won 4, lost 2 and drawn 3.

The opening day fixture at the City Ground saw us battle for a 0-0 draw. In the games last season, we lost 2-0 away and beat them 3-0 at home.

This could be a hard fought and tense affair. Both sides need the points, but it will be a very narrow 1-0 win to Forest.

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