PL2 Preview: Forest vs Saints
It’s a first away trip of the season for Southampton’s B team, who visit Nottingham Forest on Monday night.
Nottingham Forest vs Saints B
Premier League 2, Division 2
Impact Arena
Monday 23rd August, 7pm BST
After a disappointing start to the season at Staplewood Campus, Dave Horseman and his side will be keen to put things right start with a visit to Nottingham on Monday.
Saints fell foul to an Abu Kamara hat-trick against Norwich on opening day, as the visitors came away with a 3-0 victory.
Forest will similarly be looking to kick-start their new season on Monday, having lost 5-2 at Aston Villa last Friday.
Despite going 2-0 up through Oliver Hammond and Will Swan, Villa bounced back through Aaron Ramsey, Finley Thorndike, Cameron Archer and a Brad Young double to secure all three points.
The two sides last met back in February 2020 through the Premier League Cup, in a match also held at Impact Arena.
Forest went 2-0 up just five minutes into the second half thanks to goals from Virgil Gomis and Zac Clough.
Kornelius Hansen’s 71st minute strike fresh off of the bench gave Saints hope, but the home side held on for the win.
One positive from the game for the visitors was the return of Nathan Tella from long-term injury, who replaced Enzo Robise for the final 19 minutes.
“Norwich was a massive frustration if I’m being honest,” said Head Coach Horseman.
“The critical moments were the difference because loads of it was good, but the moments where people pay lots of money to produce were not there.
“We played Forest two years ago and it was a really tough game. I watched them against Aston Villa when they went two goals up and they had really lively front men.
“It’s going to be another good test but we’re confident going into every game that if we end up with the real detail when we need it, we’ll give anyone a game and produce real good players.
“Hopefully we’ll go into Monday’s game against Forest and give them a good go and produce when it matters.”
