Argyle v Nottingham Forest – preview
By: Jim | September 26th, 2008It’s irresistible force meets immovable post time tomorrow at HP – something’s gotta give. Argyle’s home form has been abysmal thus far, with only a point from the opening day 2-2 with Wolves to show from the three games, while Forest’s away form is even worse: played three, lost three, three goals scored, ten conceded. But we should not get carried away: that record includes a 5-1 stuffing by the Wolves at Molineux, a narrow 2-1 defeat to third placed Preston, and a 3-1 beating at the Liberty Stadium thanks in part to a dodgy penalty decision, having dominated most of the game. They have scored in each of their away games; we’ve conceded in all our home games. Forest give the impression of a side one result away from kick-starting their season and they will fancy this fixture as the place to get it. Anyone who thinks the new rejuvenated Argyle will have a romp in the park tomorrow is sadly deluded.
One piece of good news for the Greens is the absence of Robert Earnshaw. Earnie is one of those inbetween sort of strikers – too good for he Championship, not quite good enough for the Prem (see also Rob Hulse, James Beattie, Andy Johnson). He has an irritating knack of scoring against us,and has five already this season, so he will not be missed tomorrow. Forest’s line is likely to led by either or both of Andy Cole – frustrated at missing out so far – and one-time Argyle target Nathan Tyson, whose goal against us for Wycombe in the 03-04 season still stands out as an example of raw pace and power. In the midfield, expect a return for former Yeovil playmaker Arron Davies and starts for Guy Moussi – already being heralded as find of the year by some – and former Argyle loanee Lee Martin. Add Chris Cohen into the mix and that is a pretty formidable midfield. At the back, Forest have in my opinion the best keeper in the Championship, in Paul Smith, and the only player to survive from the last time we played Forest here – Wes Morgan. New loan signing Joel Lynch is expected to be on the bench.
As for Argyle, few changes are expected. There’s a case for bringing Nicolas Marin in on the right in place of Jamie Mackie; Jim Paterson misses out again, so Barker keeps his place at LB; with Easter departing for Millwall on loan there’s a space on the bench – perhaps for Puncheon? Expect a line-up fairly close to:
Larrieu
Doumbe
Seip
Cathcart
Barker
Mackie
Summerfield
Duguid
Clark
Gallagher
Fallon
——————-
Mpenza
Marin
Timar
Folly
Puncheon
As far as a result goes, I hesitate to call it except to say that I think there will be goals. A repeat of 2004’s 3-2 wouldn’t surprise me at all.
Just time to invite you to check out the latest edition of the Argyle Podcast, now at http://argylepodcast.wordpress.com, which includes the most cringemakingly awful football song known to humanity. Hope to be back later on with a match report and photos, etc. COYG!
Category: Team News
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