Bournemouth v Derby (1st v 2nd)

[Rammy]

Wow, this game is HUGE!

And I really don't know which way it could possibly go. Despite us both scoring for fun, I think we could be looking at a tight 1-0 game. But which way it goes? God knows!

 

[Luke_1884]

Both teams going into this game after very good wins this weekend, full of confidence, almost full player availability? Should be a cracker, shame I'm away as I would have really liked to have gone to this, not only to get Dean Court off my list but for the occasion too. Big game!

Wouldn't like to predict, I'm going to back AFCB handsomely just in case, anything else is a bonus. A win here would be magnificent but I'd be more than made up with a draw! Whilst nothing is going to be won on Tuesday night the mental advantage it might cause for either team will be the bigger impact IMO. With us being in the FA cup next Saturday, a loss here and a Bournemouth win next weekend would put us 6 points behind meaning we'd need something away at Rotherham in the week.

We've shown we can go to tough places on the road and grind out the results this year, I see no reason to write us off but the obvious threat Bournemouth pose is frightening. Shame it's not on the tele!

 

[Mr Elmo]

I think realistically we have the best squad in the division in terms of depth and sub players, but 11v11? Not too sure, but it should be a great game whichever way it goes.

Bournemouth 2-2 Derby

 

[Saddlerrad]

This should be a great game.

 

[DarkSithLord]

Very surprised this isnt on TV!

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Watford was a massive, pressurised home game and we came out of that ok, and I'm hoping that experience will stand us in good stead tomorrow night for perhaps a slightly bigger game again. Every game at the moment is big, but clearly this one has something a bit extra about it.

I'll be honest, in the 18 months I been watching us at this level, Derby are the one and only side who have clearly bettered us 3 times, who have consistently looked excellent every time I've seen them, and are the only side I fear. If we're going to better them, it'll be now, but I'd certainly take a point if offered it now.

I read on our site that we'll have been top of the Championship for 60 days as of tomorrow. pretty remarkable, although ultimately meaningless. If we can make it to 61 days I'll be very chuffed. February is a hard month, on paper the hardest month of our run in. The likelihood is that we'll drop back a bit. but the aim is to remain in a good position from which to push on again next month.

Both teams to score has to be a decent bet.

 

[CFC91]

Massive game, still sticking to my guns and saying Derby will win the league so will say they will come out on top here - 2-1.

 

[Luke_1884]

I think no matter which way this goes both teams have got to be pretty confident of seeing the season out. Neither team have shown any signs of fading away. Obviously tomorrow nights winner (if there is one) will be helped with a big 3 points but there will still be 48 points to play for.

Intriguing evening ahead!

 

[Dazza]

Very surprised this isnt on TV!

Its a shame Sky don't show any midweek matches apart from Friday nights.I still think Derby will win the league as well with Middlesbrough finishing second.3-2 Derby.Hopefully they will pick up a load of injury's so there is less chance of us getting stuffed on Saturday.

 

[ChelloRam]

Lets just hope the officials do not spoil/ruin the game by sending a player off wrongly after a minute, or give a goal which showed the player to be 2 yards offside......

Gutted to be missing the game, but will be at the iPro for the beam back.

I would take a draw right now.

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Lets just hope the officials do not spoil/ruin the game by sending a player off wrongly after a minute, or give a goal which showed the player to be 2 yards offside......

Gutted to be missing the game, but will be at the iPro for the beam back.

I would take a draw right now.

Swings and roundabouts! We lost a point at Leeds due to an 88th minute Pitman 'goal' ruled out for offside which was 2-3 yards onside. I'd rather that one stood and Wilson's didn't, given the relative importance of the two. And then the Norwich handball...

It would be nice to have a game free of controversy though, seems every game we play at the moment has some big incorrect decision that either goes for or against us. So here's to an easy night for the officials, whatever happens.

 

[ChelloRam]

Agreed.
Although not a season definer; big, big game tomorrow.

 

[PDS]

Eek... Devastated to be missing this, has all the makings of a special night.

I do think we'll lose tonight, probably by the odd goal- I've always fancied Derby to win the league with the depth in their squad, and think they'll stifle us going forward as others have recently- Christ Martin is the perfect striker to capitalise on our defensive frailties, I'm just happy Johnny Russell is injured, for me he is their most dangerous player.
Would quitew like to see us go 5 in midfield tonight, but can't see Eddie change what has been a winning team, Kermorgant is going to have to drop deep to help out Arter/Surman and this will likely take away our aerial threat in the box- he won't get near Wilson if we can bring so we might need him to recreate his individual goal on Saturday.

Predicting 2-1 Derby, I hope we play as we can and continue to raise our game to show what we can do, as I say has the potential to be a hell of a game. Still a long way to go and nothing will be decided tonight of course (Great opportunity for Middlesborough to go top as well!)

 

[AFCB_Mark]

Nervous as hell.

If we do go nominally 4-4-2 with Yann, as you say he'll likely be dropping deep. Sometimes his late arrivals in the box can be pretty dangerous as centre backs forget about him. It does leave Wilson isolated at times with Pugh staying wide and crossing to no one at the back post. Ritchie will need to pick his runs and forays into the middle carefully.

I can see someone of Will Hughes' class giving Arter some problems and potential cards unless he remains calm and sticks at it.

I'd also try and get the full backs to play a little more conservatively than normal, whilst it might stifle our flair a little it's going to be a long night and keeping things tight should be a priority.

We know Wilson will lead the line well as always and will give Derby the run around, if he has his shooting boots on then we're always good for a goal at some point. How tight we can remain at the other end is the question.

 

[Rammy]

All Derby, and Bournemouth score. Typical

Martin going off injured too. This is great!

 

[Luke_1884]

Well, this opening 15 minutes couldn't have gone much worse.

Sound.

 

[Rammy]

INCCCCCCEEEEEE!!!!!

What a fucking signing this lad is!

 

[SeasideKurt]

I told you.

 

[Mr Elmo]

I thought were in for a long night when they scored early, but nice to recover so far

 

[Rammy]

This is so nerve wracking to listen to

 

[Rammy]

2-1 to Bournemouth. Crap defending.

 

[Luke_1884]

Why do our defenders do this in every big game we have?!

Great finish. 2-1.

 

[Luke_1884]

Half time.

Disappointing to be behind again after being very comfortable since equalising.

Sounds a great game. Some very good goals too! Tom Ince has hit the ground running, great feint and great finish.

 

[PDS]

Sounds like Derby were the beter team first half, but we created two chances and buried them both- the Wilson one is a beauty, unstoppable.

We need to perhaps be a bit more pragmatic second half, rather than our usual 100mph game or it's likely Derby will take another one of these chances. Going to be a stressful 45 minutes I think...

 

[PDS]

Had a fair few Forest fans wishing me luck on Twitter for the second half

 

[Rammy]

You've won this now. Don't see us getting back in to it.

 

[PDS]

You've won this now. Don't see us getting back in to it.

Unsurprisingly I completely disagree- our defence is worse than yours, as we showed with Ince's goal. We'll need another

 

[Rammy]

DARREN BENT!!!!!!!

 

[Mr Elmo]

Come on!

Please be 3rd time lucky...

 

[PDS]

You'll win this now, cue collapse