Nottingham Forest will host Rotherham United on Tuesday evening in Chris Hughton’s first game in charge at the City Ground. His first game in charge was a rousing 0-1 win over Blackburn Rovers on Saturday that earned Forest their first points of this season.
Millers boss, Paul Warne, remains in isolation after a member of his household tested positive for covid-19. However, this hasn’t stopped him from being in regular contact with the squad before, during, and after the Norwich game on Saturday as well as keeping in touch regularly with No.2 Richie Barker.
Form:
Before Hughton’s arrival, Forest had straight L’s across the board in the Championship, scoring only once. In 5 games they have conceded seven goals and scored twice. Their only win coming via a 90th Minute goal in Hughton’s first game in charge
Current form: LLLLW
Rotherham, on the other hand, have had a mixed start to the season. Opening day victory over Wycombe is the only win, but points have been dropped in added time against Birmingham, Huddersfield, and Norwich. All of which came via penalties or own goals in the final seconds of added time.
Current form: WLDDL
Head to head record: NFF wins- 19. ROT wins- 7. Draws- 11.
Last 3 meetings: Forest 2-0 Millers (31st Jan 2017), Forest 1-0 Millers (22nd Sept 2018), Millers 2-1 Forest (6th April 2019)
Team News:
Chris Hughton has the chance to give new loan signing, Anthony Knockaert, his Forest debut.
Fellow deadline day signing, Harry Arter, is looking the favourite to start after replacing the injured Jack Colback against Blackburn.
Lewis Grabban has not found the net in eight appearances and could be replaced in the starting eleven by Lyle Taylor
Rotherham will be without Angus MacDonald after he was given a straight red card against Norwich and will miss the next three games. Clark Robertson could move into his more comfortable Centre Back role. However, Richard Wood and Adam Thompson could also come in.
Joe Mattock is available after completing his period of isolation and could return to the starting eleven straight away.
Matt Olosunde is available and could be slotting in as a Right Midfielder to cover injured Chieo Ogbene whilst new signing Flo Jozefzoon gets up to speed with the Millers.
An unnamed player that isn’t Ogbene could be out for 3-4 months after needing a scan after Saturday’s game.
Prediction:
If Nottingham have been rejuvenated under their new manager, then they will give Rotherham a game on Tuesday and will be looking to capitalise on their first win of the season. They will look to exploit a weakened right flank which will be occupied by ‘any-where’ player Ben Wiles or Matt Olosunde, a natural Right Back. Ryan Yates on the left may experience joy down that flank if not dealt with by the filled RM position or Harding at RB.
Rotherham will be looking to sort out defensive mistakes and give Forest a game in return. If the defensive errors are fixed, then Rotherham will look to high press Nottingham into submission. Three players at any one time pressed the player on the ball and caused panicked passing around the back. An effective method of causing mistakes spearheaded by an attacking front three of Miller, Ladapo, and Wiles with Crooks and Barlaser also on the hunt.
Probable Nottingham line-up: Samba, Christie, Figueiredo, McKenna, Loannou, Yates, Arter, Lolley, Freeman, Knockaert, Taylor.
Probable Rotherham line-up: Blackman, Harding, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, Crooks, S MacDonald, Barlaser, Wiles, Ladapo, Miller
Score prediction: 1-1
The Wandering Yorkshireman 