A WAY THROUGH THIS
MIDDLESBROUGH v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Jonathan Way, 21 Nov 2009
Still Waiting.
Gordon Strachan will be praying to get a result this weekend after coming out of his first two games with no goals and no points. Despite playing decent stuff at times, Boro just need to find that finishing touch again if we are to close the nine point gap between us and the Geordies.
After just avoiding relegation last season, the Reds have had an impressive start to this campaign and sit only two points off third place. Manager Billy Davies will be hoping that his side can continue their unbeaten away form at the Riverside as this would take his team into the play-offs.
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Justin Hoyte v Kelvin Wilson
The right-back will have been disappointed with his performance against Crystal Palace last week, as he was unable to prevent the winning goal. Hoyte will be hoping to improve over the coming games in order to retain his place once McMahon is fit.
Following playing a vital role in Forest's promotion from League One in 2008, the 24-year-old was unable to reproduce the same kind of form last season. After missing the start of this campaign through injury, Wilson has now recovered from an ankle problem and is back in Forest's first team.
Adam Johnson v Radoslaw Majewski
The young winger worked his socks off against Palace but he didn't get the goal he deserved. With Strachan saying how imperative it is to keep him this week, we should be seeing a goal from Johnson this Saturday as he has averaged a goal every two games this season.
Joining in the summer on loan from Polonia Warsaw, Majewski has already become a fans' favourite at the City Ground. Nicknamed 'Magic' by their fans, the Polish international's first goal for the club knocked us out of the Carling Cup in late August.
Isaiah Osbourne v Paul Anderson
Strachan's second signing certainly made a difference in the centre of midfield on his Boro debut at Palace. On loan until January, I hope Osbourne can give us the little bit extra we've been lacking in the middle of the pitch.
The 21-year-old was signed from Liverpool for £250,000 in the summer after failing to make an impact at Anfield. Anderson, who can play on either flank, has played a big part in Forest's campaign so far and he is turning out to be a bargain buy for Davies.
Leroy Lita v Robert Earnshaw
The Boro number nine had another frustrating game in South London as a bunch of chances went amiss for Lita, who started alongside his third strike partner of the season. Eager to increase his two goal tally for the campaign, Leroy's starting place is in doubt after the loan signing of Dave Kitson went through on Tuesday.
The former Premiership forward hasn't had a great start to the season, scoring only one goal in two starts for the Reds. Coming on as a second half sub for Wales at the weekend, Earnshaw will be hoping to show the Middlesbrough fans his famous somersault goal scoring celebration.
After suffering our first back-to-back defeats of the campaign, we really need to win this fixture if we are to seriously compete for the automatic play-off positions. With new signing Kitson, there's no reason why Strachan shouldn't see his first goal as Boro manager.
Despite us losing twice as many games as Forest this season, I think home advantage will count greatly in this match and we will win 1-0 to push ourselves back up the table.
