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STEW'S PREVIEWS
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MIDDLESBROUGH
LEAGUE CUP ROUND TWO
Stewart Flaherty; 25 Aug 2009
BORO EYE VIEW
It has become a modern day cliché to play on the minimal importance of the League
Cup. Quite frankly, I do not buy it! And if you count the victory over Bolton in
2004 as one of the best days of your life as a Boro fan, as I and many others
do.neither should you! Cup glory changes a lot, would many fans have been so
patient with Gareth had he not lifted this very trophy and created history at our
club?
Also think back to last year's Carling Cup. Burnley had a massive run and
dispatched many a Premiership club. The confidence and experience gained from the
run was cited not only as a factor in their promotion run, but has been mentioned by
players and fans as having created belief that they could compete in the top league.
So let us hope for a Boro run deep into this competition, I for one will not be sat
on Tuesday thinking, "it is only the League Cup". Come on Boro!
Line-up wise I do not feel we need to be resting players at this time of the year and
feel we need to keep a midfield unit playing together for consistency. Maybe blood
a few defenders where we have depth or juggle the strikers, but I see Boro fielding
a pretty strong lineup.
FOREST EYE VIEW
Unlike Boro, Forest are not used to Premiership opposition so winning this game and
moving on to a potentially big tie will be attractive for the fans as well as
financially. Forest have not started well and a win over Boro, even for no league
points would be a huge mental boost for them.
OVERVIEW
Not easy, but I think a confident Boro can win this and hopefully get a home tie in
the next round. A good run in this competition would only add to any positive
feeling in the club and hopefully have a positive effect on player's feelings come
the transfer window.
Goalkeepers
I am starting to get a good feeling about Coyne and hope it lasts all season. He
set a clean sheets record for League One and may be on the way to doing the same in
the Championship now. For Forest, Lee Camp is a pretty athletic keeper who has
experience at this level.
Edge. Boro. Coyne is a victory for the scouting department it appears.
Boro Defence v Forest Attack
Forest have a handful of players who are goal threats. Dele Adebola is big, strong
and I am sure no fun to mark! Robert Earnshaw is quality, quick and a threat at
this level. Boro keeping all their back four together during the transfer window
could mean promotion! A strong unit.
Midfield
Boro doing better than many, including me, expected. This game may be a chance to
play Josh Walker? And just when is Gary O'Neill having that surgery? A shame as he
has started the season very strongly. Forest have what appears to be an average
midfield with the star being experienced Paul McKenna who at time possesses hypnotic
skill (sorry!).
Edge. Boro. Even if Walker is blooded Boro win this battle.
Boro Attack v Forest Defence
Young promising full back Chris Gunter is the star performer on a frankly poor back
line. Forest have looked disorganized at times and look yet to find familiarity
playing together. Leroy Lita began his scoring tally for the Boro last week and
will be a threat all season.
Edge. Boro. In a big way, Forest have a good fullback, but good luck dealing with
Johnson and Yeates on their current form!
Fans
A big tie for Forest, as for the last 10 years Boro have been a bigger gun.
Arguably Middlesbrough also played a role in their glorious past by producing the
great Brian Clough! OUR Brian Clough.none of that "greatest people from Nottingham"
nonsense! He is no more from Nottingham than Jonny Woodgate is from Madrid! Boro
fans may skip the expense and save their money for the promotion campaign.
Edge. Forest. A big crowd and a big cup tie for them.
Verdict
A tough road game, and (shock horror) Forest may even score but I think we pull this
out and move on to the next round.
Betting tip: Lita first goal (I see a run of goals coming)
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Comments On This Article
URED, August 26, 2009 at 11:35 am
Much as you think you are a big clug - get real you are now at you correct level. A big tie for Forest - you\'ve got to be kidding most people I know saw the draw and groaned. Middlesborough at home is not exactly exciting for us!. Score 2-1 nothing more than we expected
Stewart, August 28, 2009 at 12:12 am
Thanks for reading URED.
ALso if you expect to beat us I am sure you will finish above us in May. Lets see what happens, all the best and well done with the win.
Bill Drew, August 31, 2009 at 4:47 pm
We never said \'he\'s from nottm\' - get yer facts right. But he put nottm on the map with his forest success.
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