Most Saddlers fans would have been looking forward to this fixture rolling round again this season, on the assumption it would be in the Championship. Unfortunately, it isn’t, as Forest’s relegation last season means that we have an early chance to measure ourselves against one of the favourites for the Division. Let’s hope that the change of status won’t have stopped us being their bogey team!

Forest are now the first former winners of the European Cup to play at the third level of English football and Manager Gary Megson’s job is to get them promoted as soon as possible. After relegation, Megson took action against the players at the club who he felt were not performing to the standards he demanded, both on and off the pitch. David Johnson, Marlon King, Kevin James, Alan Rogers and Adam Nowland were all transfer listed, but to date there have been no formal offers for them. Many players at the club were also made surplus to requirements and released.

In the summer, Gary Megson became one of the most active managers in the transfer market, rebuilding the squad completely. Matthieu Louis-Jean signed for Norwich, whilst Eoin Jess and Chris Doig both joined Northampton Town on free transfers. The new recruits included Gary Holt from Norwich (in exchange for Louis-Jean), Nicky Eaden and Ian Breckin from Wigan and former Saddler Gino Padula from Queen’s Park Rangers. Ex Manchester United man John Curtis was signed on a free transfer, whilst Danny Cullip became Gary Megson’s eigth summer signing, arriving from Sheffield United for an undisclosed fee.

Striker Jack Lester, back in his second spell with the club, is out injured, and full back Alan Rogers is suspended.

Most people thought that they might struggle to adjust to the Division, but they got off to a reasonably good start, with a 2 – 1 home win over the useful Huddersfield Town Their danger man (and scorer of their first goal on Saturday), is former Bag Lady Scott Dobie, but their winner was netted by the ever dangerous transfer listed David Johnson, coming off the bench.

As for the Saddlers, Chris Westwood has completed his one match ban and is likely to return, but Steve Staunton will be serving the last game of his. The main problem for Merson will be what formation to play and it’s going to be difficult to second guess him. I would not be surprised to see either the 4 5 1 employed again, or a switch to 3 5 2, especially in view of the poor form of Wrack and Wright on Saturday, as a 4 4 2 puts even more pressure on the wingers. Whatever he does is likely to lay down a marker for the rest of the season, as this could turn out to be one of our stiffest tests.

The basis of the team should stay the same, however, with Oakes, Pead, Gerrard, Westwood, Fox, Osborn, Standing, Taylor and Fryatt all likely to start and the formation dictating the rest. Hopefully, Paul Smith will also be fit for the bench, at least.

Predictions? We are their bogey team, giving them a deserved 4 – 1 beating on their last visit, and it could have been a lot more, in one of Merson’s best games for us. There have been plenty of other good wins in recent seasons too, so I’m just edging in favour of a home win, though I think it will be close. In that case, of course, it’ll be a high scoring draw, as sod’s law is bound to apply.