West Brom, Nottingham Forest…who’s up for the PL party?
As the final weeks of football are upon us, Nottingham Forest and West Brom look like they are going to battle to the end for the coveted 2nd promotion spot. Newcastle has all but tied up one automatic place already, so who has the staying power to gain the other?
West Brom are not exactly the surprise package, they were many people’s tip for automatic promotion at the start of the season. The ultimate yo-yo team, they know what is expected of them and have been in this position before. Nottingham Forest on the other hand is this season surprise package. Under manager Billy Davies they have thrived with an incredible home record of 10 straight wins. The City Ground is proving something of a fortress.
West Brom under manager Roberto Di Matteo currently sits on 66 points after 35 games whilst Nottingham Forest are on 64 points after 35 games. West Brom holds a significant 8 goal difference advantage that could prove crucial at the end of the season. The sensible money would have to go on West Brom on holding Forest off with the experience they have. But don’t write off Forest yet, there is some serious heart within that side.
Billy Davies has done a wonderful job for the club. Despite his role technically as a coach he has stamped an authority on the team. With signings out of his control with Nottingham Forest operating on a more continental style using a transfer panel that control signings. David Pleat is one of the leading members of the panel and I find it most difficult to accept he has had a role in the resurgence of this once great side. Dexter Blackstock deserves high praise indeed for his form this season. Having signed after a successful loan spell with Forest from former club QPR last season, his goals have turned potential draws into stolen victories. The pace of Paul Anderson as well is an ever danger to the best of sides. The 21 yr old former Liverpool youngster has really found a place he can call home at Nottingham Forest.
West Brom at most times have looked classy, under manager Roberto Di Matteo they have continued the free flowing passing style of football that occurred with Tony Mowbray. Though they are susceptible to lapses of concentration. Points dropped at QPR, Bristol City and Ipswich in recent weeks has let Nottingham Forest back in the hunt. Just when it looked like Newcastle United and West Brom were going to run away with it.
Looking at the run ins for both teams, they are pretty similar. Nottingham Forest has a tough match at St James Park at the end of March and West Brom a tricky customer in Swansea at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday. If I had to make a choice now, I would have to say West Brom to steal it with the experience they possess and that 8 goal difference margin is like an extra point. Nottingham Forest’s away form has been erratic having lost the last four in a row. I hope they are not running out of steam. If West Brom begin to trip up, I would expect Forest to close the gap. If Billy Davies even gets a whiff of blood from Roberto Di Matteo’s side, he will have his team biting at their heels. This is going to be a close one.
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Similar run-ins? Are you kidding? Forest have to play teams currently 21st, 23rd and 24th. Overall apart from Newcastle they’ve got considerably easier matches.
The run-in is consequential… WBA are a different class.
Do you think? I’ve seen WBA play a few times and they look pretty shody (as do Newcastle) yet somehow they keep grinding results out.
Forest have been good until there recent blip in away form – losing 5 consecutively in the league! The brand of football is definately better at the city ground but with the gap now 5 points they’re unlikely to catch up.
At the start of the season we would have taken the playoffs – it’s a far more glamorous way of going up than finishing second & will ensure my first trip to Wembley! U reds
Completely right, WBA are a different class … a lower one. Did you not watch the game in January
Re Harry.
Your right that the home game against Forrest, Albion were shocking. But to say Albion are a lower league team than Forrest is a joke. A team is rated over a season and not on an indivdule match. Didn’t forrest lose 2-4 at home to Watford? There not the greatest team in the championship are they? Wait till May before you start spouting off.
Forest aren’t by any means the best team in the championship. Any team can beat anyone on their day in this league. 2nd place will be lost for forest on their away form at the moment. If we go up, we will be straight back down without a lot of investment. If we lose on tuesday and WBA win, then its over as far as i’m concerned. WBA can easily be outdone by a team that closes them down, and no one has done that.
I don’t think anyone can argue that Forest are better than WBA. What Forest have is a good run of form and good team spirit.
WBA have better players but at times don’t always give there all.
Worryingly Forest remind me of the WBA team the won promotion the first time round. They overcame and 11 point gap in ten games to finish above wolves.