Few fancied Nottingham Forest as promotion candidates in August but Billy Davies' side have forced their way into contention.
At the City Ground, Forest have been terrific, producing a string of positive, attacking displays on the way to 11 wins. In fact, no team in the league have scored more goals at home heading into Tuesday's fixtures.
But this is a huge week for Forest. They sit third, trailing Newcastle and West Brom by five and four points respectively, and stuttered to defeat against Doncaster at the weekend.
And the next seven days throws up two massive tests of their credentials. First, Forest head to Brammall Lane to take on a Sheffield United side who are a point outside the top six. Then they host Middlesbrough, who are also in hot pursuit of the playoff spots.
One way or another, we will learn a lot more about Forest's sticking power over the next week. Taking six points would be a big statement of intent and would heap the pressure on Newcastle and West Brom.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
NBA: Wade claims deserved MVP honors as East win All-Star Game
Led by 28 points from MVP Dwyane Wade, the Eastern Conference All-Stars outlasted their Western Conference counterparts 141-139 in front of more than 108,000 fans in Dallas.
The Miami Heat shooting guard added 11 assists while LeBron James chipped in with 25 and Chris Bosh added 23 as the East withheld a fourth quarter rally from the West, for whom Chauncey Billups scored 14 of his 17 points in the final 12 minutes.
Carmelo Anthony paced the West with 27 points and home favorite Dirk Nowitzki poured in 22. Anthony had a chance to be the hero in the final seconds but he was off target with a potential game-winning 3-pointer and the East escaped.
The Miami Heat shooting guard added 11 assists while LeBron James chipped in with 25 and Chris Bosh added 23 as the East withheld a fourth quarter rally from the West, for whom Chauncey Billups scored 14 of his 17 points in the final 12 minutes.
Carmelo Anthony paced the West with 27 points and home favorite Dirk Nowitzki poured in 22. Anthony had a chance to be the hero in the final seconds but he was off target with a potential game-winning 3-pointer and the East escaped.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
NBA: Nate completes Dunk Contest three-peat
Demar DeRozan produced the dunk of the competition but it was defending champion Nate Robinson who prevailed, becoming the first ever three-time winner.
DeRozan - of the Toronto Raptors - brought the crowd to its feet in the first round with a dunk using the side of the backboard, scoring a maximum 50.
But it was a rare high point as the contest lacked some of its usual spark and drew criticism from TNT's Charles Barkley. In the final, Robinson had the marginally better dunks and scooped the trophy with 51% of the fan vote.
DeRozan - of the Toronto Raptors - brought the crowd to its feet in the first round with a dunk using the side of the backboard, scoring a maximum 50.
But it was a rare high point as the contest lacked some of its usual spark and drew criticism from TNT's Charles Barkley. In the final, Robinson had the marginally better dunks and scooped the trophy with 51% of the fan vote.
NBA: Pierce tops Billups, Curry to win 3-Point Contest
Paul Pierce racked up a total of 20 in the final round to lift the 3-Point Contest trophy for the first time.
Chauncey Billups and Stephen Curry joined Pierce in the final and Curry, in particular, looked on course to top Pierce's tally.
But the Golden State Warriors rookie guard fell agonisingly short on 17 and Pierce was able to celebrate his victory with team-mate Kevin Garnett, who was sat courtside.
Chauncey Billups and Stephen Curry joined Pierce in the final and Curry, in particular, looked on course to top Pierce's tally.
But the Golden State Warriors rookie guard fell agonisingly short on 17 and Pierce was able to celebrate his victory with team-mate Kevin Garnett, who was sat courtside.
Soccer: Countdown is on for Beckham's reunion with Man Utd team-mates
The clock is ticking as David Beckham looks ahead to the return of the Champions League and the visit of former club Manchester United on Tuesday.
Beckham's current club AC Milan have dropped off the pace in Serie A but will lean on positive memories of eliminating United in 2005 and 2007 as they prepare to take on the English champions.
While Ryan Giggs' fractured arm will keep him out of the first leg at the San Siro, Beckham can expect to see fellow Fergie Fledglings Paul Scholes and Gary Neville in the United squad. Having spent many happy years at Old Trafford, winning the Champions League along the way back in 1999, the England midfielder is bound to have mixed feelings when he is reunited with former team-mates.
It is sure to be an emotional night for Beckham and, judging by United's recent red hot form, it could be a rough one for the Italians.
Beckham's current club AC Milan have dropped off the pace in Serie A but will lean on positive memories of eliminating United in 2005 and 2007 as they prepare to take on the English champions.
While Ryan Giggs' fractured arm will keep him out of the first leg at the San Siro, Beckham can expect to see fellow Fergie Fledglings Paul Scholes and Gary Neville in the United squad. Having spent many happy years at Old Trafford, winning the Champions League along the way back in 1999, the England midfielder is bound to have mixed feelings when he is reunited with former team-mates.
It is sure to be an emotional night for Beckham and, judging by United's recent red hot form, it could be a rough one for the Italians.
NBA: Nash crowned Skills champion
One night on from helping light the Olympic flame in Vancouver, Steve Nash lifted the Skills Challenge trophy after beating defending champion Deron Williams in the final.
Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma Thunder and Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks were both eliminated in the opening round before Nash's time of 29.9 seconds in the final was too much for Williams to overcome.
Nash and Williams will be back on the court tomorrow night for the All-Star Game.
Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma Thunder and Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks were both eliminated in the opening round before Nash's time of 29.9 seconds in the final was too much for Williams to overcome.
Nash and Williams will be back on the court tomorrow night for the All-Star Game.
NBA: Durant wins H.O.R.S.E trophy
Kevin Durant got his All-Star weekend off to a flying start as he outlasted Omri Casspi of the Sacramento Kings and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics to win the H.O.R.S.E. event in Dallas.
Casspi made an early exit but Durant and Rondo brought their A game, sinking a string of 3s. The Oklahoma Thunder forward had the last laugh, though, winning his second straight H.O.R.S.E. title as a Rondo jumper rimmed out.
Casspi made an early exit but Durant and Rondo brought their A game, sinking a string of 3s. The Oklahoma Thunder forward had the last laugh, though, winning his second straight H.O.R.S.E. title as a Rondo jumper rimmed out.
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