Video: Montanier on what a win over Newcastle would do for Forest
Nottingham Forest have been boosted by the return of Britt Assombalonga against what manager Philippe Montanier calls ‘the best team in the Championship.’
The Reds host Newcastle United on Friday (Friday December 2) night and currently sit 17th in the Sky Bet Championship on 22 points.
A big enough win could see the Reds climb as high as 10th.
On top of this, Forest will be looking to build on their good run of form after having picked up two consecutive away wins, against Ipswich and Barnsley, and Montanier has his sights set on toppling table-toppers Newcastle.
We need points in our situation
He said: “I’m not very very happy because it’s only two victories, I will be happy when we have 10 or so consecutive victories, but for sure it was important, especially away.
“Before Ipswich, we didn’t win games away and we need points in our situation and I think this run is giving the players confidence and self-belief.
“The Championship is so competitive because at the start of the season there were two managers employed that won the Champion’s League and it’s only in England you would get something like that in the second tier!”
Video: Joe Worrall on playing with his mates and playing for the badge
After having come through the Nottingham Forest youth academy and spending time on loan at Dagenham & Redbridge, Joe Worrall does not fear any of his opponents when he pulls on the shirt.
He said: “Whoever you come up against, it doesn’t really matter because you’ve just got to try and get those three points.
“It means a bit more when you’re playing for Forest as they are my team and always will be, so trying to beat the best team in the league in Newcastle will be a challenge but it’s also a privilege to be playing against them.
“We won’t be able to sit back and absorb the pressure like we did against Ipswich, we will need to take the game to them in whatever formation we play.
“We need to put the press on them and play higher up in their half.”
Forest record v Newcastle United
Played: 108
Won: 31
Drawn: 27
Lost: 50
The last time the two teams met was in a high-scoring encounter at the City Ground in the League Cup on September 20 2011.
The game went to extra time after a 2-2 draw was played out in normal time with three goals being scored in the following 30 minutes.
In normal time, Peter Lovenkrands opened the scoring for Newcastle before Robbie Findley equalised; Lovenkrands then scored a penalty before the Magpies were pegged back again by Matt Derbyshire.
In extra time, Danny Simpson scored for Newcastle before they were pegged back for the third time in the match, this time by Marcus Tudgay.
However there was to be no response from the Reds following Fabricio Coloccini’s 122nd minute winner.
