For the second weekend in a row, we take on a side for the first time in the league. Forest Green have been a league 1 club for just 16 games, amassing 13 points so far. In those 16 games, they've conceded 33 goals, an average of just over 2 goals a game. They've actually been marginally more successful away from home this season, with 7 points on their travels. However, they haven't won away from home since the opening game of the season. They have conceded 5 at Hillsborough, 4 at Peterborough and 3 vs Victor Adeboyejo. Forest Green do come into this game off the back of consecutive away draws, at Fleetwood and Port Vale. However overall they have only won once in their last 8 league fixtures (1-0 vs Bolton). There needs to be a reaction from our players. We appear to have reverted to the confidence shot, overly cautious team that saw us relegated with a whimper last season. And if we don't get the early goal, I can see Forest Green sitting back and trying to hit us on the counter, similar to how Lincoln, Morecambe and Port Vale did. And we just don't like playing that way at all. That being said, I think we're overdue an ugly victory, and I'm going for 1-0 with Norwood on target.
'Interesting' referee appointment - Bobby Madden who's an experienced whistler from North of the Border where he's taken charge of around half a dozen Old Firm games amongst other things, including some minor internationals and a few Champions and Europa League games. He's moved down to England for work and is reffing in the EFL Leagues 1 and 2 this season. Against the worst defence in the division we are going to break out of our Nil-fest and score for fun in a 4-2 win. There is absolutely no evidential basis for predicting that we'll score 4 but what the hell!
The reds bounce bag with a swagger 5-0 Cole hat trick. Later on here Duff hailed the best manager since Wilson and the promotion push is back on.
I hope we win to shut up the boo boys that want Duff out. If the club bows to these people and sacks Duff it will be a massive mistake. Need to patient approach now win, lose or draw. As it happens I think we'll win anyway 3-0. Paraphrasing Duff, "hard work will always win out in the end. You can still run".
The last few games we've started quickly and haven't managed to score with our initial attacks. I reckon if we scored early we'd be able to break down teams better when they come out and try and score.
Very good time to play us ....im afraid most teams will fancy playing us at the moment. We just don't look like we cant buy a goal and we keep getting caught by balls into the corners to quick players on the counter. Unfortunately I see another nil in our goals column...maybe 2 to them.