Vs: Forest IFA
Location: Herringthorpe
Kick Off: 10:30
Meet: 10:00
Kit: Home (red)
Head to Head
P5 W2 W0 L3
Forest 1 - 2 Internet Millers [17/09/05]
Internet Millers 1 - 3 Forest [05/02/05]
Forest 6 - 4 Internet Millers [13/03/04]
Forest 4 - 1 Internet Millers [02/03 season]
Internet Millers 4 - 1 Forest [01/02 season]
After playing Forest in IMFC 3rd ever game back in 2001, which saw the Millers run out 4-1 winners, there was a baron run of three losses over nearly four years before we turned the tide in our favour. The 6-4 loss in 2004 was particularly disappointing after leading 4-1 into the second half. The 3-1 loss at home was a dominant midfield display by Forest and if the same midfield turns out this year it’s going to be a cracking game.
It was the semi final at Worldnet (not listed above), where a golden goal winner to take us into the final that fended off the hoodoo. Since then a poor IMFC performance just managed to see off a weakened Forest side 2-1 this season. However, the Forest lads will be up for taking on the Worldnet champions and we are expecting a much stronger Forest line-up down at Herringthorpe.
Form Guide
FOREST: DDWLWW
ROTHERHAM: WWDWWW
A 6th clean sheet of the season and notching our 55th goal in 10 games means IMFC sit 4th in the table, unbeaten all season and just the one point dropped. Two convincing victories since the disappointing 4-4 draw against Hull has put IMFC back on track for league honours.
Our opponents, Forest have lost just the twice this season out of 8 games. The first coming at home to IMFC and then a 2-0 home defeat against IMFC title rivals, QPR. They have also drawn at home to the well organised Preston side but struggled to a draw with a weaker than usual Farnborough side. Out of the four games Forest have not won, three of them have been against potential title challengers.
Just like IMFC, Forest have picked up victories against Scunthorpe (5-3), Mansfield (4-1), Tranmere (5-1) and Watford (4-3), albeit in not as convincing fashion as the Miller men. What’s for sure, is that on their day Forest have one of the best midfields in the IFA and are technically one of the best passing sides in the league so it will be a tough game for IMFC.
Squad News
1. Burnsy
2. Duds
3. Yeard
4. Adis
5. JV
6. Lee
7. Shark
8. Jebu
9. Paulell
10. Gaz
11. Denti
12. Dan
13. Gilby
14. Sharpy
15. Symon
IMFC have a similar looking squad to the one that went down to Watford and completed a fine raid of three points. Chris Grist and Jammer cannot make this game but Adis, Symon and trialist Sharpy will be looking to impress when given a chance.
At the back, its business as usual as IMFC is full strength. Shark will have hoped he’s shaken off a bruised arse that led to him being carried off for treatment by his girlfriend at Watford. Yeard, Denti and Paul El all looked like immovable objects at centre back against Watford and all three will be looking to figure in this game. Jebu and Duds had good solid games against Watford at full back, neutralising the threat from the wings and supporting the wingers well. Gilby was his usual, hard hitting, no-nonsense but clever passing self when called up in a full back role. With 6 clean sheets and just 10 goals against in 10 games, the defence will be looking to shut out a talented Forest side.
In central midfield, man of the match Dan will be looking to impress his girlfriend once again with another bustling, energetic performance. Despite the lack of goals and £5 less in his pocket than the remaining cool gang, Bennett had a stormer last week and will be severely tested against a quality Forest midfield. Lee had a steady game, doing all the right things against Watford as his scoring run came to an end, he will be looking to get back on the scoring trail this week.
After a shopping trip in Watford City centre while we were playing the first half, Gaz Elliot came on to great effect in the second half and played a number of quality passes to set the wingers and strikers free, he will be looking for more of the same this time around but without the shopping in the first half. If needed, Denti can also be pushed into a stopper role in the centre of midfield dependent on what tactics are needed.
On the wings IMFC remain short on natural wingers but JV will be sure to provide pace and skills as he looks to setup the strikers or notch a goal himself. I’ts been rumoured that last week’s match ball has grown quite fond of the IMFC winger after finding himself at his feet for the majority of the 90 minutes. Adis provides another good option as a winger, hoping to scare the Forest full back with his Predator like dreadlocks. Gilby has been impressive in a winger role in the past weeks, adding more steel to the midfield. Returning Symon and new boy Sharpy will also be keen to impress if given a chance out wide.
Up front, it’s over to 25 goals in nine games, 10 in the last two, Mr Burns. If he’s on form, the team provide him the type of service they have been doing, the defence remains as solid as it has been, then IMFC should win this game. Goals have been coming from midfield to support the striker and if Forest really clamp down on him pressure will be on them to get the goals. Symon, Jebu and JV can all be alternative forwards if a change in formation or tactics is needed.
Jebu, JV, Shark and Yeard will be looking to continue their 100% appearance record so far this season.
IFA REVIEW
1 PNE p16 w7 d7 l2 f53 a28 gd25 [37]
2 Bury p11 w9 d1 l1 f59 a18 gd41 [30]
3 Millwall p10 w9 d1 l0 f71 a12 gd59 [29]
4 Rotherham p10 w9 d1 l0 f55 a10 gd45 [29]
5 Motherwell p11 w9 d0 l2 f56 a17 gd39 [29]
It was an absolute cracking week for IMFC in the league as Millwall lost their 100% record with a draw against Preston (2-2), Bury lost their unbeaten record against Hearts (3-1) and QPR also lost their unbeaten record against a very strong looking AFC Dons (4-1).
A win against Forest could see IMFC climb to as far as 2nd, still with 6 games in hand on leader Preston. It’s still very tight at the top and Scottish duo Motherwell/Hearts are hanging around the top 5 in case of any slip ups. The smart money for the league is one from Bury, QPR, Rotherham and Millwall.
As Bury got beat against Hearts it means another trip up to Scotland for the IMFC lads. However, it looks like a near full strength side will be travelling up except our goalkeeper, Shark, which is likely to mean El Yeard donning his sombrero between the sticks. More news on the cup game in future weeks.
Final Thoughts
It's going to be a very tough game against a fired up Forest side that will be looking to get back to their usual winning ways against us. However, the tide has somewhat turned and with a semi final Worldnet win and an away win behind us, IMFC will be looking to make it a hat-trick of victories inside 12 months. We wish the Forest lads all the best and hope for a competitive game in the right spirit of the IFA, we have food on after the game in the Woodman and will be looking to make their stay in Rotherham as enjoyable as possible.
Jebu
