Nottm Forest Preview

This time last week we were talking about a Town that had a monkey as a mayor. This week we look at a City that worship a man in green tights. I assume from that little description that he can only be a previous winner of Big Brother?

Robin Hood, so legend has it stole from the rich and gave to the poor. I assume it is akin to Michael Owen leaving Read Madrid to join Newastle or Jose Mourinho becoming the next manager of Mansfield. Of course why he stole from the Rich to give to the poor is anyone's guess, surely he would have been better stealing from the Rich to sell on the market in the weekend. Or was Robin Hood the first known Chav, maybe the tights were of a green Burberry design instead of just plain old green.

Of course, Forest fans will tell you that they were champions of Europe you know. Twice. 1979 and 1980 to be precise. And of course they were right. In 1979, Tubeway Army spent four weeks at Number 1 with a song called Are 'Friends' Electric. See how times change? English clubs constantly won the European Cup in that era - Forest's two wins were part of a long monopoly on Europe by English sides. All the statement of 'We Won it twice you know' masks is that for the past 15 years that have been a pretty average side who are now in the lower half of League One because they deserve to be. And in fairness, most Forest fans seem perfectly aware of that.

We all know that this is one fixture that we all looked for when the fixtures came out. Purely because we knew it would very possibly be the biggest attendance at the Rock this season. And with the club announcing a home sell out this afternoon it has been proved right. And if the place can bounce anything like it did two weeks ago against the whipping boys from Drizzle then bring it on.

I'm a little disappointed that I have got this far into the preview without the puns coming out and to be honest I can't be arsed with them but just to keep the puns people (they were big in 1970s as well you know ;-) ) happy here they are

Forest's recent form has suggested that they can see the wood for the Trees

Wooden it be great if we beat them

It will be tree straight home wins if we win this game

And of course there is more but that is the three that I am obliged to provide so now we can move on.

So what is happening on the pitch? Paul Connor is out for a month for crimes related to wearing a pink T-Shirt whilst bowling but it does appear that the man mountain that is Bayo Akinfenwa will be back to partner leading scorer Trundle up front. 'Ickle Leon is also back meaning it's between him and Duracell Bunny (he keeps on running) Andy Robinson for a place in midfield - really hope they don't fight over it as Leon wouldn't stand a chance.

For the opposition I confess that yet again I have no idea because I take little notice over it. That is our managers job and not mine but they've won a couple so it can't be as bad as it was before then. Does that make any sense? Not that I care one way or the other.

And back to this European business. Do we have more appearances in Europe then Forest? I suspect we may have. Do we have more trophies in our cabinet then Forest? Again, I suspect so. Do we harp on about them? Yes of course we do but that's because we are the big team in this weekend's clash and don't let them forget it. Can I take that tongue out of my cheek now please?

Here's to a good one and hopefully "We are top of the League" will ring round at 5pm Saturday

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Predictions So Far - 21:45 SEPTEMBER 22