Darren Ferguson takes his side to the City Ground, to take on Alex McLeish`s Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest -Vs- Peterborough United
Venue: City Ground
Date: 12th January, 2013
Kick-off: 3:00pm
Posh travelled to Nottingham on boxing day last season, and came away with a memorable 1-0 win, as former Forest loanee, George Boyd, scored the only goal of the game.
Forest have started their season fairly well, but sacked their manager, Sean O`Driscoll, just hours after a 4-2 win against Leeds. This decision by the board came under a lot of scrutiny by fans of numerous clubs, as they failed to understand what more O`Driscoll could have done in the start of the season. But their man to replace him, was Scotsman Alex McLeish; a decision that Forest fans weren`t completely convinced about. And it hasn`t been the best of starts to his time at the City Ground, as they are still in search of their first victory under him, following a 2-2 draw at home to Crystal Palace, a 3-0 loss at Blackburn, and an embarrassing 3-2 defeat at home the league one Oldham in the FA Cup.
TEAM NEWS
Nottingham Forest
The Reds have completed the loan signings of centre half Elliot Ward, and right back Gonzalo Jara Reyes (below) from Norwich and West Brom respectively. Forest captain Danny Collins is suspended for the fixture, so it is expected that Ward will start alongside Daniel Ayala. Reyes could come in at right back for Greg Halford, as McLeish looks for a defence that wont leak as many goals as they have been.
Forest have recalled goalkeeper Karl Darlow from his loan, and he is expected to start in nets for the home side. The 22 year old will be making his first team debut for the club. His involvement in first team action comes after Alex McLeish told experienced goalkeeper Lee Camp that he is free to leave the club. And it seems McLeish`s ideal replacement may be QPR benchwarmer, Rob Green. McLeish has expressed an interest in the stopper from the R`s, and is hoping a deal can be done this January.
Peterborough United
Posh boss Darren Ferguson is expected to make changes following a dire display in the 3-0 defeat at the hands of Norwich. Championship player of the month, Dwight Gayle (pictured below), is welcomed back into the side after he was cup tied for the Norwich match.
Fergie is also expected to make changes in midfield; Danny Swanson and Kane Ferdinand could be replaced by new loan signing Davide Petrucci (below), and Grant McCann may come in for Ferdinand. Lee Tomlin is still suspended, and it is likely to be Petrucci who starts in the role playing just behind Dwight Gayle
Scott Wootton re-signed for the club on loan this week, and he is expected to go straight into the defence for the game at the City Ground. It is likely that the 3 centre half`s will be Michael Bostwick, Scott Wootton and Shaun Brisley, as Fergie saw his side defend particularly poorly against Norwich and has acknowledged the fact that changes are needed. Gaby Zakuani is away with the DR Congo squad for the African Cup Of Nations, and so isn`t available for the next few games.
Vital Posh predicts the starting line-up will be:
Olejnik
Little, Bostwick, Wootton, Brisley, Rowe
Boyd, McCann Newell
Petrucci
Gayle
HOTSHOTS
Forest
10 – Sharp
7 – Blackstock
5 – Cox
Posh
8 – Lee Tomlin
7 – Dwight Gayle
6 – George Boyd
REFEREE
EDDIE ILDERTON takes charge of his second Forest match, and first Posh match of the season.
To find out details of how he has performed this season, click HERE.
He will be assisted by Dan Robathan and Mark Russell.
The fourth official is Alan Young.
PREDICTION
Posh need to improve on their recent FA Cup defeat against Norwich, and if they show some of the form that they have done in the league of late, they have every chance of coming away from the City Ground with a result. Forest haven`t started very well under Alex McLeish and Posh need to capitalize on any problems Forest have.
If Posh play like they have been in the league, Posh to win: 2 – 1.
UP THE POSH Follow me on Twitter: @TomLea_
Photos/images courtesy of www.theposhpics.com.
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