Barnsley v Nottingham Forest - e-Football Preview

Article by e-Nottingham Forest Correspondent David Bassett

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Nottingham Forest travel to bottom of the table Barnsley on Saturday looking over their shoulder as teams around them gather pace. Forest will be backed by 3,000 Nottingham Forest supporters who will be looking to create the kind of atmosphere that will inspire a much needed away win.

Forest’s away form is average. Yes we have only lost 3 games but we have drawn far too many games away from home for my liking. Away games to Blackpool, Bolton, and Reading spring to mind when Forest were in leading positions but conceded late goals which over the 3 games is 6 points lost. I always look back to Norwich City who when they got promoted to the Premier League under Paul Lambert were very gung ho in away games. Norwich won 9 games away from home that season. If we win 4 more games away from home to match this record and maintain our good home for then we will be in the playoffs and not too far off that second spot.

Away from home under Billy Davies, Forest are usually hard working, tight at the back and try and nick victories which is a risky game that can ultimately end in too many draws. The away game at Huddersfield was a prime example of what Forest need to do. After taking the lead, Forest soaked up the pressure and hit Huddersfield on the counter attack and scored a 2nd and 3rd goal to win 3-0. A very impressive away performance.

Forest enter the match with a string of injuries as well documented with Eric Lichaj ruled out for a month to add to the list. Billy Davies will also be missing as he will start his 5 match touchline ban as we have had no communication to whether he will appeal the ban. With the injury situation at Forest we lack leadership so it’s not a massive help that our manager is missing too.

Forest need to match Barnsley for work rate and endeavour first and foremost and then some big players need to step up in Djebbour, Abdoun, Cox, Henderson and man in form Jamie Paterson to provide the spark we need to win the game. The biggest concern at the minute in my opinion is the form of Danny Collins. When Hobbs and Lascelles start, Forest look a very solid unit. Now that Hobbs has been ruled out Forest need Collins to step up and lead by example.

No offence to Barnsley as Forest’s resources and transfer power has exceeded Barnsley’s tenfold but looking at their squad it’s very average and if Forest are “serious about promotion” then they should be beating them depleted or not. That said our squad without our top players looks very average too.

Last season we beat Barnsley 4-1 at Oakwell under Sean O’Driscoll’s short tenure, a result that Forest should be look to replicate to find the consistency needed to hold onto a playoff spot. However I expect the game to be a lot closer than last season. Barnsley can potentially get out of the bottom 3 with a win so they will surely going all out to take advantage of a weakened Forest side. We need Paterson to continue his fine form and dig us out of a very ugly hole. #COYR

Prediction: Barnsley 1 v 2 Nottingham Forest (Paterson, Henderson)

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