The Big Match Preview – Nottingham Forest (A)
It’s Carabao cup time again and an all championship tie at the city ground awaits for Gary Rowett’s potters. Stoke will be looking for a positive result after another shock home defeat at the weekend to the hands of Tony Mowbray’s Blackburn Rovers. Forest meanwhile will fancy their chances against a defence that is currently tied at second worse in the division for goals conceded with only bottom of the table Preston conceding more than Stoke and Hull City respectively. Aitor Kranka’s side were fortunate to come away with 3 points at the weekend in a dull game against our next opponents Rotherham but were able to do what Stoke haven’t and that’s not play well but get the result.
Gary Rowett has promised squad rotation for this fixture and the opportunity for first team places is up for grabs but not for Mortiz Baueur as the social media saga rolls on but expect to see a much changed City side. Stoke will be wanting to build a more positive atmosphere around the camp after recent results and headlines off the pitch so a chance of progressing further in the cup could help kick start the season.
Gary Rowett unleashed to the media after the Blackburn game and was brutally honest about his players, the support and the general feel around the club at the moment. GR will be hoping his squad can start to kick on and change their fortunes with a better performance on Tuesday night.
The best way to sum Stoke’s season so far I would describe as consistently inconsistent whereas Forest have been fairly solid only losing 1 game this season. Stoke will have to be much better defensively against Forest, Lewis Grabban has 2 in his last 2 and will be hoping to continue his scoring form against Stoke. Stoke will be without new star signing Ryan Woods who is cup tied, he will be a big miss in the middle of the park.
My line up for tomorrow evenings game – Butland, Martina, Martins-Indi, Souttar, Edwards, Etebo, Allen, Bojan, Ince, Berahino, Afobe
My prediction – I can’t see Stoke going and winning this game in normal time, however I can see a score draw two teams who will cut each other out, 1-1, pen shoot-out to finish.
By Rob White
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