Barnes tips Albion to edge Forest

Thursday 11th March 2010, 10:59AM GMT.

Barnes tips Albion to edge Forest

Confident Albion winger Giles Barnes has tipped the Baggies to edge out Nottingham Forest to claim an automatic ticket to the Premier League.

The former Derby man made his debut for his new club on Tuesday, ending 15 months of injury hell.

Barnes was bullish in predicting the Baggies’ will beat the Rams’ East Midlands rivals to the Championship’s top two.

He said: “I think it’s going to be us, definitely. I don’t think we should look at other teams. We just need to keep going win, win, win and not worry about other teams.

“Even when we go away people try to stop us playing football and get in our faces. But we proved on Tuesday we can get into faces and battle.”

Barnes made a brief debut against Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday as the Baggies moved back into second place, leapfrogging Forest.

He said: “It’s a massive win. We would been looking at the league table and hearing things about Forest being above us.

“The win was massive for the whole club. If we can lock down that automatic spot then we’ll be happy.

“We have to get our professional head back on and be ready for Saturday against Blackpool.”


  1. 1
    SIR TERRY BAGGIE

    Im looking forward to saturdays game as blackppol will be coming here to win to keep there play off chances alive,so could well work in our favour be great if we can get early goal,hope Bednar`s back aye boing boing

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  2. 2
    CantelloRocket 78

    The only thing that concerns me is the amount of luck that Forest seem to have.They were battered by Boro recently,but somehow managed a result,then Swansea should have had a cast iron penalty with a red card for the Forest player awarded,but the Ref unbelievably gave nothing,then they scored the only goal four minutes into stoppage.If we can get a fraction of their good fortune,we should be OK.

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  3. 3
    AMS

    Cantello
    I think the luck was with Forest in those games but they still have tricky trips to Blackpool, Preston and Newcastle to play.
    There is a saying that in Football you make your own luck. We too went through a period of getting penalties – Dorrans scored 4 in 5 games from the spot and missed one. I’m sure Forest fans would point to that being a little lucky.
    Back to the article and another non-story from E&D about a player who claims his team can win promotion – What else did you expect him to say.
    Good luck Giles in your continued recovery – you offer us another option on the flanks and gives Brunt the luxury of playing on the left where he seems more comfortable.
    Next up Blackpool on Saturday – another must win Game.

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  4. 4
    Happy_baggie

    With players coming back and a few new faces coming in we don’t look bad for the run in….

    We need to give the team a chance to gel and not get onto them if we go behind, but I would rather be 2 points clear at this stage than trying to catch us.

    Mozza and Miller already look class and with Koren finding his shooting boots we will hopefully get back to regular scoring.

    Reid and watson will add some defensive cover and Barnes will scare the daylights out of defences with his pace.

    I know some fans will find fault, but I’m feeling quite optimistic.

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  5. 5
    baggie birder

    The Forest team remind me of our team that pipped the dings after a 11 point lead .They do seem to have the run of the green a great spirit and a manager that knows what it takes to get out of this league.However we have a number of players with experience of getting out of this league and undoubtedly a better quality squad.It looks like it will go down to the last game not good news for my nervous system!

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    • Santa

      Took the words out of my mouth baggie birder,i agree they do seem to have things going for them.But we should only be concerned about our own results,we need to win win win!!!!!!!!!!!

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  6. 6
    CantelloRocket 78

    As this is about finishing above Forest,I have to smile at crafty little Billy manager.In a recent interview he was saying that Forest have no right to be where they are,not enough players,not enough money,and that it’s too soon to go up,they are not prepared.If ever somebody tried to take the pressure off,whilst motivating his players to give all to prove him wrong,it’s this guy.Sorry Mr.Davies,you can’t kid this kidder.

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    • Popa

      He said the same when at Derby, I think they went up in year one of his four year plan to reach the Premiership.

      His Premiership record does make Mad Mick look like Alex Ferguson in comparison.

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  7. 7
    SuperRed

    Giles Barnes has always been overrated, and always will be overrated. Have you all forgot how Forest played you off the park at the City Ground last year, only for you to snatch the win? Don’t say Forest have the rub of the green ;) We were denied stone-wall penalties in plenty of our recent matches, so it’s just evening itself out… We hammered your lot back in January too if you forget?

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    • OJ

      Over 46 games of football. The final league table will not lie. If Forest finish above us then I would congratulate every Forest fan I spoke to. Yes, Forest did out play us at the Hawthorns and arguably, at the City Ground but you could also say that over 3 games this season, we have played significantly better than Newcastle(without loosing). I think I speak for most Baggies fans when I say that with the quality of our squad, we should finish above you, but as every Baggie out ther knows, that means nothing without spirit! Good Luck.

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    • Warren

      I was at the City Ground, we were dreadful and you had about 65% possession but still barely forced Carson into a save. Forest fans seem to be so full of it this season, but as OJ says, the table won’t lie after 46 games as it doesn’t at the mo.

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  8. 8
    Cyril Randle

    Gentlemen, for the reasons you have outlined you have just defined why the CCC is more interesting than the Prem. What keeps your toes curled at 2pm on Saturday? It’s the ‘if we do this and they do that’ syndrome. Sport, in other words. It ay arf excitin’. It has to be better than ‘can we scrape a point here or there and stay up’. Even if it becomes the play-offs, there’s a good chance of a day out, or even two, at Wembley. Nerve wracking maybe, but I love it. It even beats watching ‘Shameless’ on Channel 4.

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  9. 9
    Cyril Randle

    7.SuperRed. Your first comment about Barnes is spiteful, uncalled for and ungenerous. The lad is trying to rebuild his career. I can’t argue with the rest you said as you did, in fact, play us off the park at The Hawthorns. Billy Davies got the sack for being too successful with a side that was not ready at Derby. Will your lot have the courage to stick with him if he’s right again this time? He is a gifted manager, of that there is no doubt, but 3rd Division to 1st Division in successive seasons is a big ask. You’re having a magnificent season, show a bit of respect to others.

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  10. 10
    Jeff

    Hear,Hear Cyril!

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  11. 11
    slippy

    cyril they was in this division last season but stopped up on the last day i think thought id tell you b4 shadrag does i got a feeling hes going to be our nemesis he, starting his mind games already he,s also got more experiance than rdm as well we certainly need to concentrate on our own game because if we dont get behind our players the poison dwarf will soon pick up on this and crank up the pressure . dont forget rdm is just starting out as a manager he needs our support as well as the players (carson brunt moore etc}

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    • Cyril Randle

      Yup Slippy, quite right about their position, but it is still a big ask for them.
      I hope they do make it via the playoffs and we go up first go, but there can be no question about who are the best three teams in the CCC. It’s still a squirmy, lovely feeling not knowing who’ll make it. Sir Terence knows what I mean. Like being on a first date hey Tel?

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  12. 12
    baggieboynick

    super red grow up theres a good little boy
    just because barnes is an ex derby player theres no need to be silly is there.
    lets not forget you got billy davies and he was ex derby so im taking it hes rubbish as well ?
    enjoy the play offs we will be on the beach by then boing boing

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  13. 13
    Costa Blanca Baggie

    I personally blame that wench, Lady Luck. And Carson.. and Mattock..and Zubby..and Brunty..and…hang on, I´ve been reading too many posts on other sites.

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  14. 14
    alex baggie

    Long long way to go. I wouldn’t like to call the top two now. Look at Swansea. It’s still possible that they could get a run, we could slip up a few games (including against them!) and bang they are in the shout.

    I’m not counting my chickens yet… although I don’t have any to count.

    I just hope that if we do make it up, we don’t fall foul of poor spending/player purchases, consistently dodgy refereeing and an awkward fixture list. If we go up, we have to make it count this time and make our visit to the Prem a long stay. How many opportunities do we need?

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