Next Up: Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest – FA Cup
One of the biggest occasions in City’s recent history takes place on Tuesday night when Gary Caldwell’s side takes the field in the FA Cup fourth round for the first time in 44 years. They do so in wretched form having capitulated to a 4-1 defeat at Stevenage in their last outing, making it thirteen conceded in three matches. The ten day break has brought with it a number of new signings ahead of the transfer window slamming shut last Monday, while Caldwell will have been relieved to see Reece Cole and Sonny Cox make a return to action in the 2-2 draw with Bristol City in the U23 Cup. Andrew Olawubori won’t be available to face Nottingham Forest having appeared for Halifax in their fourth qualifying round defeat to Oldham, nor will Alex Hartridge, who appeared in Wycombe’s run to the fourth round which ended at Preston at the weekend. However, other new signings Ryan Trevitt, Ed Turns and Angus McDonald will be allowed to feature
Nottingham Forest have evoked memories of their form in the late 70s and 80s this season, emerging as surprise contenders in the Premier League having barely survived last season amidst points deductions for financial foul play. Nuno Espirito Santos, ironically sacked by Spurs for not playing adventurous Football, has got Forest playing some scintillating stuff and his side goes into Tuesday night’s contest brimming with confidence having dished out a 7-0 annihilation of Brighton last Saturday. Key to their success has been the phenomenal goal scoring form of Chris Wood, the big New Zealander has been something of a journeyman but has burst into life this season with 17 Premier League goals, although he was on the bench for the 2-0 win over Luton in the third round. There may be a temptation to rest a number of stars ahead of a testing Premier League visit to Fulham next Saturday, but as Liverpool found to their cost on Sunday, too many changes may be counter-productive. That said, the starting XI against Luton was comprised of players who between them have a total of 41 starts in the league this season, so expect some rotation to take place.
The sides have never met in cup action, and you have to go back to the early 1950s for the only competitive fixtures when Nottingham Forest spent two seasons in Division 3 (South) despite Nottingham being practically cloth cap and whippet territory – two matches finished level and Nottingham Forest won the other two 5-0. Coincidentally that was the same scoreline when Brian Clough brought his Forest side to SJP in February 1979 for Nicky Jennings’ testimonial – a match which marked Trevor Francis’ first appearance for Forest since becoming the first million pound player following his transfer from Birmingham.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: Andrew Kitchen
Assistant Referees: Shaun Hudson and Alex James
Fourth Official: James Linington
Andrew Kitchen normally referees in the English Championship, and last refereed an Exeter game in August 2023 which was a League Cup tie at St James Park between Exeter and Stevenage, which finished 1-1 and Exeter winning 5-3 on penalties. Prior to that he took charge of a 1-0 defeat to Exeter by Port Vale, sending off Rekeem Harper.
Interview with Gary Caldwell
Interview with Demetri Mitchell
The spirit of 1981
Nuno Espírito Santo Press Conference