Nottingham Forest

Nottm Forest v Brentford
Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood could make changes for the cup match. Competition rules state each club must side six first-team regulars but goalkeeper Rune Pedersen and Robert Hughes could come in. Brentford could be without defender Adam Griffiths and forward Calum Willock after they picked up knocks during the defeat to Oldham. Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson (ankle) is a doubt, while Chris Moore (virus) and Lloyd Owusu (groin) are out.

Forest unsurprised by low crowd
Nottingham Forest have admitted their lowest ever crowd of 2,013 for their Johnstone's Paint Trophy 2-1 defeat of Brentford was not a surprise. To offset costs, the club opened only two parts of the City Ground stadium, which also had no police presence and the minimum number of stewards. But a club spokesman told SSB: \"We are serious about the competition. \"Early rewards are not high, but it would be great for our fans if we reach the final at the Millennium Stadium.\" This season the Football League has stipulated that teams are required to play at least six of the 11 players that have appeared in most of their matches this season. Any club failing to do so risks a fine of up to £5,000 - with Scunthorpe and Hartlepool already falling foul of the law. As a result Scunthorpe were fined £4,500 of which £1,500 is suspended for a year, while Hartlepool were fined £1,500, with the full amount suspended for a year. So despite claims that the competition is being taken seriously - and the prospect of each finalist earning more than £250,000 for an appearance in Cardiff, some clubs are not complying with the new rules. And fans are also opting to stay away - as was the case at The City Ground on Tuesday, with an attendance which was 21,435 fewer than watched Forest's last home game in the league. However, League One leaders Forest, who knocked out Brentford thanks to goals from Nicky Southall and Grant Holt, are expecting crowds to improve. Although reduced ticket prices - as offered by Forest - and stronger line-ups do not seem to be having the desired effect right now, Football League spokesman John Nagle remains optimistic. He told SSB: \"By providing free tickets to under 16's and making a commitment to fielding first team sides clubs are making a real effort to promote the Johnstone's Paint Trophy to a new audience. \"The benefit of these efforts won't necessarily be seen overnight, instead we are looking for long term growth. \"And we've been buoyed by the response to the changes we've made to the competition and the innovation we've seen at club level, such as games kicking-off at 7.15pm to attract more young fans.\"

Nottm Forest v Brentford
Nottingham Forest are set to recall Ian Breckin, Paul Smith, Danny Cullip, Kris Commons and Neil Harris after they were rested in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. But the game comes too soon for both Scott Dobie or Nathan Tyson. Brentford hope to welcome back Adam Griffiths and Chris Moore who missed Tuesday's defeat at the City Ground. Stuart Nelson and Sam Tillen face late fitness tests but Calum Willock and Lloyd Owusu are out as the Bees bid to end a 10-game winless League run.

James injury setback hits Grimsby
Grimsby's on-loan midfielder Kevin James is facing the prospect of up to three months on the sidelines because of a dislocated shoulder. The Nottingham Forest player suffered the injury in the Mariners 3-1 defeat against MK Dons on Saturday. He was making only his second appearance for the League Two side when the injury concerned. James, 26, agreed a loan deal at Blundell Park until 27 January and will stay with the Mariners until that date.

City move not right - Forest star
Nottingham Forest's top scorer Grant Holt has explained why he rejected a move to Bristol City last week. \"Out of courtesy to City, I went to talk to them, but at the moment I don't think it's the right move,\" the striker told the Nottingham Evening Post. \"But I'm disappointed that the club don't value me enough to keep me here when I've got eight goals this season. \"It's not a nice position to be put in when my wife's got three weeks to go before she gives birth.\" Holt, 25, moved to the City Ground from Rochdale for £300,000 in January - and the bid Forest accepted from City was reportedly the same figure. Despite being top scorer this season, he faces competition for places up front from Junior Agogo, Neil Harris, Nathan Tyson, Jack Lester and Scott Dobie.

Nottm Forest v Millwall
Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood has his fingers crossed strikers Nathan Tyson (groin) and Junior Agogo (stomach) will return to availability. Should either miss out, Scott Dobie is ready to step in breach after overcoming long-term hip troubles. Striker Chris Zebroski will be on the sidelines for Millwall as he serves a one-match ban. Tony Craig, Mark Phillips, Neal Ardley, Jody Morris and Tom Brighton remain on the injury list.

Salisbury impress Forest manager
Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood praised Conference South outfit Salisbury City after they held his side to a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup. Nathan Tyson had put the League One team into the lead before Matt Tubbs levelled to earn a replay. Calderwood said: \"There is nothing negative about the way they play, they were efficient and have good players in certain areas. \"We will have do better when we face them at the City Ground.\"

Calderwood accepts Forest defeat
Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood had no complaints after watching his side lose 2-0 at Bournemouth. He said: \"We are disappointed, but Bournemouth deserved to win - they did a lot of things better than us. \"We didn't make good decisions with the ball when we had opportunities and we were second best in the first half. \"We had no rhythm or continuity - we were poor in possession and even poorer out of possession, but it's the first time we've failed away from home.\"

Nottm Forest v Leyton Orient
Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood has a virtually full strength squad at his disposal with Junior Agogo and Scott Dobie both fully fit. Danny Cullip is the only fitness doubt as the central defender has been laid low with a stomach bug. Leyton Orient hope to have defender John Mackie back after injury but centre-back Alton Thelwell is out. Winger Shane Tudor may return after tonsilitis, while on-loan Luke Guttridge is available once more.

Nottm Forest 3-0 Port Vale
Nottingham Forest's top scorer Grant Holt responded to being left on the bench by scoring twice against Vale. Nathan Tyson set Forest on their way when he back-heeled a cross from Junior Agogo past Vale keeper Mark Goodlad. Tyson was replaced by Grant and he immediately made it 2-0 as he fired past Goodlad after being sent clear by fellow substitite Jack Lester. And Holt killed off Port Vale in added time when he sent a curling shot beyond Goodlad from the edge of the area. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nottm Forest: Smith, Thompson, Cullip, Breckin, Perch, Southall, Clingan, Curtis, Commons (Lester 60), Agogo (Gary Holt 74), Tyson (Grant Holt 57). Subs Not Used: Pedersen, Dobie. Booked: Thompson, Southall. Goals: Tyson 13, Grant Holt 65, 90. Port Vale: Goodlad, McGregor, Pilkington, Fortune, Miles (Husbands 29), Abbey, Harsley, Sonner, Jeff Smith, Sodje, Constantine. Subs Not Used: Anyon, Walker, Cardle, Lowndes. Booked: McGregor. Att: 22,999. Ref: C Boyeson (E Yorkshire).

Oldham v Nottingham Forest
Oldham boss John Sheridan is likely to name an unchanged side for the game against fellow high-fliers Forest. That means Dutchman Stefan Stam will have to wait to break into the side ahead of Will Haining or Sean Gregan. Nottingham Forest will be without of Kris Commons, who is believed to have a hamstring strain. Defender Wes Morgan could come into contention after returning from illness to make the substitute's bench against Rovers on Saturday.

Grays snap up Fernandez & Harding
Grays Athletic boss Andy King has continued his squad re-building with the loan signings of defender Vincent Fernandez and midfielder Ben Harding. Fernandez, 20, has joined Grays on a month's loan from Nottingham Forest. The France-born central defender has made a handful of senior appearances for Forest and also had loan spells this season at Wycombe and Blackpool. Meanwhile, Harding, 22, has agreed a loan deal until the end of the season from MK Dons.

Calderwood hails Holt after win
Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood was full of praise for striker Grant Holt after his winner against Yeovil. Forest won 1-0 to go back to the top of League One and Calderwood said: "Grant's all-round game is excellent. "The bonus for him is the goals he scores and the fact that he attracts a great deal of plaudits. "But his overall game is more important to me because I am sure we would get goals from other areas even if Grant did not get on the scoresheet."

Bradford sign Forest's Weir-Daley
Bradford have signed Nottingham Forest striker Spencer Weir-Daley on loan to help in their fight against relegation. The 21-year-old has ended a loan spell with Lincoln City to link up with the Bantams and increase caretaker manager David Wetherall's attacking otpions. Weir-Daley, who has played a handful of first-team games for Forest, scored five times in 11 League Two appearances for Lincoln. He also had a loan spell with Macclesfield Town earlier this season.

View Full Version: Nottingham Forest