Nottm Forest v Swansea City - Playoff SF 1st Leg

grenache

V


Thursday 12 May, City Ground, Kick Off 19:45, Live on SS1 and BBC Radio 5 Live.





Latest Odds (Paddy Power): Forest 6/5, Swansea 9/4, Draw 9/4


TEAM NEWS
Goalkeeper Lee Camp and midfielder Guy Moussi have both been passed fit for Nottingham Forest.

They were substituted against Crystal Palace after picking up minor knocks.

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers must decide whether club skipper Garry Monk or vice-captain Alan Tate will partner Ashley Williams at centre-back.

Rodgers also faces a selection headache in midfield, with Joe Allen, Leon Britton, Mark Gower, Darren Pratley and Stephen Dobbie all vying for places.


MATCH PREVIEW
Forest and manager Billy Davies have had their share of play-off heartache. Beaten at this stage last year by Blackpool, the Reds have been involved in three play-off ties and lost them all.

And although Davies triumphed by taking Derby to the top flight in 2007, he missed out as Preston manager in both the previous seasons and was again on the losing side with his current club last time around.

But Forest's end-of-season form means they can be hopeful of securing a return to the Premier League after a 12-year absence. They have won five of their last six matches, and in each of their last four victories have netted at least three goals.

Swansea, last in the top flight in 1983, also go into this match in good form. Three consecutive wins saw them leapfrog South Wales rivals Cardiff to finish third in the table.

If the Swans make it to the promised land this month, their defensive record will be a major factor. During the season they conceded a mere 42 Championship goals - a feat bettered only by champions Queens Park Rangers.


MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head
•This is the 60th meeting of these clubs. Nottingham Forest have won 24 and Swansea 22 of the previous 59.

•Forest are three goals away from the club's 100th against City.

Nottingham Forest

•Forest have scored a total of 14 goals in their last four wins.

•They have won one, drawn one and lost four of their six previous play-off matches.

•Forest ended the regular season top of the Championship's 'form table' based on the last six matches of the campaign.

•They are aiming to become the sixth club to reach the Premier League via the play-offs after finishing the season in sixth place.

•Chris Gunter is set for his 100th start for the Reds, while Garath McCleary could make his 100th appearance for them.

Swansea City

•Swansea have kept clean sheets in three of their last four matches.

•They are aiming to become the sixth club to reach the Premier League via the play-offs after finishing the season one place below the automatic promotion places.

•Ashley Williams is set to make his 150th start for City, while Mark Gower could make his 100th start for the club.


Going over for this game, even though i hate the playoffs, they are not games one can enjoy. And up to now they've always ended in defeat for Forest, but here's hoping anyway..

Paully D

Come on Forest!

Kiwi_knock

I am up for Forest but think Swansea will win it. But nothing is certain in the playoffs.

Mushy

Forest on good form coming into the playoffs, I'd say them and Reading final.

grenache

Kiwi_knock wrote: »

I am up for Forest but think Swansea will win it. But nothing is certain in the playoffs.

I'm expecting Swansea to win the whole thing outright. But its hard to know, they've beaten Norwich and Forest recently but were also beaten by Scunthorpe and Preston, so which is the real Swansea?!

The only thing for certain, is that for the neutral, the playoffs represent the most enjoyable games of the year. Simply because neither team can afford to sit back. They both have to go for it.

The_Kew_Tour

I lived in Swansea and went to the few Swansea games before so I have soft spot for them and always look out for their results.

But my Dad lived in Nottingham back in 1991 and he actually got to know Roy Keane and Des Walker when there so I have a soft spot for them too as my Dad had nothing but praise for the club.

Would love to see both clubs go up and dont know who shout for but I prob rather see Swansea as they not been in top flight for nearly 30 years.

_blank_

If Swansea or Cardiff come up, are they allowed qualify for Europe via their league finish in the EPL?

HalloweenJack

Des wrote: »

If Swansea or Cardiff come up, are they allowed qualify for Europe via their league finish in the EPL?

AFAIK, they are as long as they don't compete in any FAW competitions that could qualify them for Europe, hence why they've both dropped out of the FAW Cup in recent years.

Paully D

Des wrote: »

If Swansea or Cardiff come up, are they allowed qualify for Europe via their league finish in the EPL?

Nope. Even if they won the Premier League they still wouldn't be playing European football as England's representatives.

The FA:

Our position remains unchanged and should Cardiff win the FA Cup this season they would not be chosen as the FA’s nomination for European competition.
Cardiff enter into English domestic competitions on this understanding and they are fully aware of the rules and regulations under which they take part.
These rules remain the same and there would be no scope for Cardiff, or any of the other Welsh clubs in the English system, to qualify for Europe as England’s representative.

pickarooney

Come on the Swans!

That_Guy

COME ON FOREST!!!

QPR, Norwich and Forest in the Premier League would give me a nostalgia boost. I'll even collect the sticker book next year if it happens.

grenache

pickarooney wrote: »

Come on the Swans!

shhhup!

tim_holsters

As a neutral I love the playoffs. Tense and exciting these games usually provide good value. Last years did anyway.

I think Swansea are the best footballing side in the division so I hope they go up. Forest are strong and resiliant so it's hard to pick between them. I've a feeling Forest might do it over the 2 legs. I hope they don't though, like most non forest fans I'm not mad about Billy Davies. Good manager mind.

S.R.F.C.

From a Bluebirds point of view i'm not sure what outcome i'd prefer, Forest probably the weaker side so possible easier fixture there all things going to plan, but beating the jacks to get promoted, it wouldn't get much sweeter!

Paully D

tim_holsters wrote: »

As a neutral I love the playoffs. Tense and exciting these games usually provide good value. Last years did anyway.

Yep, I agree. I love them as a neutral, however, I sympathise with the supporters of the clubs involved as I know how tense they are when you're involved in them!

tim_holsters

Paully D wrote: »

Yep, I agree. I love them as a neutral, however, I sympathise with the supporters of the clubs involved as I know how tense they are when you're involved in them!

I'm Leeds mate, oh the anguish we've suffered in past. It's seriously painful to lose in the PO's.

Paul Tergat

I love play offs. Always great, so much riding on the championship ones too.

Cmon Forrest, anybody but Huddersfield and the Shrews

Johner

Go on Borini!

Keano

I'm very nervous and no beer in the house.

Come on Forest!

Hoki

link anyone?

That_Guy

What a stupid challenge. Now come on Forest and punish them.

grenache

Red card for Swansea inside 90 seconds! And you could not argue with it. It was a horrible tackle.

Christ, if Forest cant take advantage of this then i give up!

LuckyGent88

what a chance for Forest now, have to take advantage of this situation now.

That_Guy

Forest have taken the foot off a bit. Haven't pressed hard enough since the numerical advantage. Allowing Swansea time on the ball.

That_Guy

Good save Camp.

That_Guy

Good fúcking Jaysus. Swansea are all over Forest here. Forest so so sloppy and very wasteful. Crowd really on their back right now.

JerryHandbag

Swansea are playing like they have the extra man

That_Guy

Mike Dean's refereeing is top class today.... so far.

mewso

Better second half from Forest but Swansea will be stronger favorites. A goal from the Reds would have been nice but I think they can still go through.

Hoki

Great result for Swansea having played the whole match with 10 men, they probably had the better chances as well . Id imagine they will win the 2nd leg comfortably , Forest looked poor enough.

Paully D

I enjoyed that.

McGugan trying the Busquets tactic of looking up whilst rolling around on the floor was very poor though.

Seaneh

who was sent off?

What were the starting line ups?

Who was motm?

Was out for dindins with friends so missed it...

Desire.

Seaneh wrote: »

who was sent off?

Taylor was sent off.

Hoki

Seaneh wrote: »

Who was motm

Nathan Dyer for Swansea, had a great chance in the second half to win it but his early shot was brilliantly saved by keeper.

grenache

Seaneh wrote: »

who was sent off?

What were the starting line ups?

Who was motm?

Was out for dindins with friends so missed it...

Forest lined up as follows: Camp, Moloney, Morgan, Chambers, Gunter, McGugan, McKenna, Cohen, Anderson, Earnshaw, Boyd. Subs used: McCleary, Tyson, Tudgay.

Couldn't tell you the exact Swansea eleven, but their defence was outstanding tonight as was Britton and Dyer, who definitely deserved his MOM award. Forest were woeful in the first half. It was as if after the sending off, we just expected Swansea to cave in and things to happen for us. But instead we looked like the team with ten men and the visitors bossed possession. Swansea worked so hard to win the ball back, Sinclair, Allen and Dyer in particular, Forest were careless and lethargic in comparison. Second half was a different story, with Forest owning possession, huffing and puffing but never really getting in behind Swansea. A few half chances yes but no proper ones. Rob Earnshaw is the most frustrating player ever ever ever. To score one goal, the guy needs ten chances. And of course the "goal" he netted tonight just had to be offside. Having said that, we were denied a stone-wall penalty when Tate blatantly handled in the box. It says a lot that Forest's most important player on the night was keeper Lee Camp - the save he made from Dyer in the second half was world class.

So it's 0-0 at half time, every dog on the street expects Swansea to win the second leg, and they probably will. But at the same time it will suit Forest to go there as underdogs without any real expectations or pressure on us.

PHB

Disappointing from Forest, really wanted them to go up. Uphill struggle now imo.

The_Kew_Tour

Would not say it's over yet and far from it.

The Swansea players had to give that extra bit of work after sending off and that may take its toll next week, Swansea are the favs but still much to play for.

If Forest score first it could get really interesting.

dreamers75

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13399709.stm

why they appealing to FAW?

Strange that.

Keano

dreamers75 wrote: »

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13399709.stm

why they appealing to FAW?

Strange that.

Makes no sense at all. A joke really

Paully D

Keano A Legend wrote: »

Makes no sense at all. A joke really

I agree, but I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the FA of Wales overturned the card.

Paully D

2nd leg kicking off now on SS1.