Forest Green Preview

[Woody Wilson]

City

After a disappointing set back last Sunday, City travel to Forest Green with a point to prove in what proves to be a massive game in the relegation fight at the bottom of the conference. After 2 successive wins and clean sheets, City’s 2-0 home loss to the hands of Aldershot town was a hard pill to swallow – especially when the performance was so poor.

The whole club goes into the game with a boost after it was announced that Billy McEwan will be taking over as manager of the side – with caretaker Viv Busby departing. This should see a fired up City side travelling to Forest Green Rovers, with everybody needing to impress with slates and reputations being wiped clean.

Providing new injuries occur in training this week, Chris Porter will remain as the clubs current number one ahead of teenager David Stockdale. Porter has been in sparkling form recently, which deservedly earned him the player of the month award for January.

Defensively, the left back position seems to have been taken by Sean Davies and he’s likely to continue in that position for the trip to Forest Green. Competition in the centre of defence is hotting up with both Maloney and Grant pushing each other for starting positions to partner the ever-present Paul Groves. With Chris Brass, Gary Pearson and club captain Steve Davis due to be returning relatively soon, especially Davis, the choice for manager Billy McEwan is becoming increasingly promising. As for the right back position, recently Michael Staley has been playing there, however Graham Law has been impressing with the reserves and is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.

Moving onto the midfield and Darren Dunning returns from his one match ban after missing the home defeat to Aldershot by being sent off in the previous conference match away at Leigh RMI. However, it is unlikely new boss McEwan will restore the captain to the starting line-up after some recently disappointing displays. Rob Constable, on loan from Leeds should continue alone side youngster Byron Webster – giving the side a youthful feel to it. The right flank should be covered by the awesome Kevin Donovan, however on the left hand side Dave Merris has Bryan Stewart breathing down his neck for a starting place, especially with the new manger coming in, everybody starts with a clean slate.

Finally up-front and the likely pairing will be Paul Robinson MK II along side the impressive Andy Bishop. One player that will be missing however is ex-player/coach Lee Nogan who left the club this week by mutual consent, which should give the likes of Paul D Robinson and Levent Yalcin to regain some sort of first team football.


Forest Green

Forest Green await the arrival of the Minstermen with great anticipation, after they thumped City 3-1 at Bootham Crescent earlier in the season. The match is seen as a relegation 6 pointer a win for any side would see them take a great advantage in the fight against the drop.

Forest Green will be without Ryan Williams for the game with the Minstermen on Saturday. The midfielder was recalled from his loan spell by the League Two outfit earlier this week to solve their injury crisis, but third-bottom Forest Green are hopeful he will return to face the struggling Minstermen.
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