Clarets Mad - Clarets v Forest, English Premier League Match Preview.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

Clarets Mad - Clarets v Forest, English Premier League Match Preview.
Venue: City Ground, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, NG2 5FJ.
Kick-off – 19.45 – Monday 18th September 2023.

Monday night’s TV game features Vincent Kompany’s rock bottom Premier League Clarets who travel to Nottingham to take on Steve Cooper’s Forest team in what has become a game Burnley really need to take a positive result from.

It remains to be seen exactly what the Monday night starting line-up Vincent Kompany will choose following the late transfer window arrival of Mike Tresor, Han-Noah Massengo and Hannes Delcroix who all arrived amongst the remarkable input of new faces at Turf Moor.

The Burnley squad except for the injured Hjalmar Ekdal who suffered a serious knee injury in the recent Carabou cup victory against the same opponents are in the main fit and raring to go. Jordan Beyer is hopeful of a full return to action at the heart of the Clarets defence.

Forest after a positive start to the new EPL campaign, find themselves going into the game in ninth place after four games played, winning two and losing two.

One’s to watch: For the Clarets, the pairing of Lyle Foster and Zeki Amdouni is gelling nicely with Foster scoring for Bafana Bafana in a 1-0 mid-week victory over DR Congo.

Luca Koleosho has quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite during his short time at Turf Moor. High hopes for a positive result are prevalent amongst optimistic Burnley fans right now across social media.

For the Forest, Taiwo Awoniyi poses a serious threat, but it will remain to be seen if the departure of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur blunts Steve Cooper’s attack.

Former Manchester United starlet Anthony Elanga is considered doubtful after sustaining an injury whilst away on international duty with Sweden.

Verdict: Despite the outpouring of optimism for a positive result from the Burnley faithful, I think Forest on their home patch in an EPL game will prove to be too hot to handle for a Burnley side yet to find its rhythm. A 2-0 home win is my prediction.

Footnote: I was at a Milk Cup game at the City Ground probably early 1990’s when Brian Clough was the Forest manager, and I witnessed the worst tackle on a player by a player I have ever had the displeasure to observe. Stuart “Psycho” Pearce crunched Burnley’s David Hamilton so hard he broke the Claret's players leg.

Pretty soon afterwards Hamilton retired from professional football and I’m sure that tackle helped to bring David’s playing career to a premature end. I’m glad we no longer tolerate “Psychos” like Pearce on a football field.

As usual I must point out this entire column is written by myself for the benefit of members of Clarets Mad and other Burnley FC forums and is entirely my own creation and opinion. (TEC).

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[kritichris]

It goes without saying (so why am I saying it) that we'd rather have had the 3 points from the first encounter and have this the cup game.

[The Bedlington Terrier]

It goes without saying (so why am I saying it) that we'd rather have had the 3 points from the first encounter and have this the cup game.

You won't be saying this k_c when Clarets Mad posters are having a great day out at Wembley in the Carabou Cup Final.

[kritichris]

You won't be saying this k_c when Clarets Mad posters are having a great day out at Wembley in the Carabou Cup Final.

After getting to the prem that is my next dream after never having won it.

[Swissclaret]

17th best team in England will do me - at least for this season.