Megson ready for Wessex battle
By Matt Pitman

Monday 14th November 2005

NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Gary Megson has paid tribute to Weymouth, claiming "they are not a butcher, baker, candlestick maker" side.

Megson, whose League One outfit were held to a 1-1 draw by the non-League Terras nine days ago in front of a mainly stunned 10,305 crowd at the City Ground, added:

"They are a team of old pros. They are on a good run and we know what to expect."

Megson, whose Forest side drew 1-1 at Bournemouth in League One on Saturday, continued:

"It will be a really tough test for us. I'm disappointed that we have to have a replay because it will be difficult for us.

"I saw Weymouth beat Basingstoke on Tuesday and they were comfortable winners and they have just beaten Welling 2-1 at home, so they are 13 matches unbeaten 1 think.

"It is not a game against a lot of part timers. They have a side filled with ex pros. They have a lot of quality. So going there will be a tough battle for us.

"Weymouth are not a team with a butcher at right back, a baker at left back and a candle stick maker in midfield. They are good players. I know, Matt Bound played for me at Stockport."

Megson, who will have club captain Gareth Taylor available after suspension tonight but not new striker Nathan Tyson, who is cup-tied stressed that he was fully aware why Sky TV would be at the Wessex Stadium.

He said: "The TV cameras are going to be there, purposely because they want a cup shock.

"Everyone will want a cup shock, except for people who support Nottingham Forest and us at the club. We have to make sure that doesn't happen, although no-one is going to help us except us."

Reflecting on his side's 1-1 draw against the Terras more than a week ago, Megson added: "From our point of view, we were 1-0 up but got caught by a set-piece.

"In the end people stopped wanting the ball. We got a little bit anxious, especially with the way the game went.

"Now we have to make up for that in the replay."

Forest, whose point at Bournemouth kept them in the League One play-off hunt, admitted he was not enamoured with the fact his teain would be staying in a hotel down south in between the Cherries game and the tussle with Weymouth.

Megson said: "I don't particularly like it because it gives you a little bit of a holiday mood.

But there is no point traipsing all the way back north for one day; there is no point.

"We're staying because we have no choice and it is my job to make sure we don't lose our focus."

Asked if he felt under pressure trying to resurrect the fortunes of a famous club like Forest, Megson pointedly said: "No, not at all."

And his after-match demeanour at Dean Court suggested he was actually relishing tonight's battle at Radipole Lane.

If the first 63 minutes at Bournemouth are anything to go by; Weymouth should fear the worst.

Forest dictated and should, perhaps, have been 3-0 in front by half-time.

Nicky Southall stabbed them ahead from close range in the 18th minute before James Perch headed narrowly over with a free header.

Cherries goalkeeper Gareth Stewart then, somehow, kept out David Johnston's header.

The game changed on 64 minutes though, when Brian Stock produced a magical 25-yard chipped equaliser following a quickly taken right flank corner that caught Forest napping.

Big Steve, Fletcher immediately came on as a substitute and in the,end Forest were lucky to hang on for a draw, with John Thompson saving them with an 89th-minute goal line clearance from James O'Connor.

Forest made two changes to their starting line up against Weymouth, keeper Paul Gerrard returned from injury in place of Rune Pedersen, while defender Danny Culip came in for midfielder Eugen Bopp.