A WAY THROUGH THIS
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MIDDLESBROUGH
Jonathan Way; 25 Aug 2009
Turning our attention.
Is what Boro need to do tonight as we face a tricky second round tie at the City Ground. After yet another great result against Doncaster Rovers, there should be no reason why we can't go far in this competition and amazingly look to repeat our heroics of 2004.
Since taking charge on New Year's Day of this year, Billy Davies saved Forest from relegation last season with just one game remaining. After comfortably beating Bradford 3-0 in the previous round, Davies will be hoping to take his side much further this year after being defeated by Sunderland at this stage last time around.
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Lee Camp v Danny Coyne
The 25-year-old keeper finally secured a permanent move to the club he supports after spending the last campaign on loan with them from Queens Park Rangers. Having conceded five goals in his last two games, hopefully Boro can add to Camp's record by hitting a few more past the Forest number one.
Coyne helped us equal our club record of four clean sheets at the start of a campaign on Saturday as we saw off Doncaster Rovers 2-0. If we can keep this incredible record going for as long as we can, it will certainly give us a huge boost in our bid for success.
Wes Morgan v Jonathan Grounds
Having been at Forest since he was 15, Morgan has gone on to become their longest serving player, having made nearly 300 appearances for his home town club. Having been the backbone of their defence over the past few seasons, the Reds' number five will be hoping he can repeat his impressive record from two years ago, when he helped to keep 24 clean sheets.
After starting all four games for us so far this campaign, Grounds is certainly going to make it tough for Taylor to regain his place in the starting line-up. Following another great display at the weekend, hopefully the 21-year-old will keep up these performances as he looks to become our next emerging Academy star.
Chris Cohen v Julio Arca
Having came through the youth system at Upton Park, Cohen has become a high influential player at the City Ground. After being voted their player of the season for 2008-09, the left sided midfielder was rewarded with a new four year contract this summer.
With Gary O'Neil finally undergoing his hernia operation, Southgate really needs someone to step into the central midfielder's boots for the coming games. If Arca wants to be that player, he is going to have to step up his display after a disappointing game at the weekend.
Dexter Blackstock v Leroy Lita
Despite scoring twice last week, Blackstock surprisingly didn't earn himself a starting place for Saturday's away game at QPR. If Davies doesn't start the young striker against the Boro, it will certainly give us an advantage as Dexter can pose a real threat to the opposition.
Showing a fantastic touch and blasting the ball into the roof of the net gave Leroy a glorious goal to get off the mark against Doncaster. With Emnes probably missing this game, our frontline of Tuncay and Lita will hopefully give us a lot more goals to cheer about.
This will certainly be a tough test against Davies's side. With Forest yet to win a league game this season, it's clear we are the favourites but after all, we are Middlesbrough FC so anything could happen.
With Gareth hopefully starting Tuncay and Lita up front, I think we will continue our great start to the campaign with a 1-0 victory at the City Ground, which will give us great momentum going into Saturday's crucial game against Bristol City.
Ben, August 25, 2009 at 2:57 pm I\'m afraid your research leaves a lot to be desired.
Lee Camp was a Derby fan as a boy, not a Forest fan, and Blackstock only scored once against Watford. If Blackstock isn\'t in the starting 11 we still have another 5 strikers (possibly 4 if adebola hasn\'t recovered from the slight knock he received at the weekend) to choose from - each of which could cause you quite a few problems.
I hope your team are as equally ill-informed about their opposition!!
That said have an enjoyable night in a proper stadium for a change, hope the journey home isn\'t too uncomfortable for you after your loss lol
