Video: Montanier on the derby day defeat to Derby County
Nottingham Forest manager Philippe Montanier has said that he expects a reaction as the Reds play Preston North End tonight (Wednesday December 14) at the City Ground.
Forest lost 3-0 away at Derby on Sunday (December 11) and the Reds currently sit 16th in the Sky Bet Championship after last night’s fixtures with Derby dropping to 10th.
Montanier is hoping that the Derby defeat was a blip and that Forest can pick up their winning form again.
Preston are very difficult to play but we need a reaction
He said: “It was difficult on Sunday night because that was a really good occasion for us to show what we can do.
“Sure we have a day less to recover from the weekend than our opponents Preston but I am impatient to play this game and to show that we can do better.
“Preston are very difficult to play but we need a good reaction.”
Video: Montanier on playing Preston
Motanier said that it’s still important to have perspective of Forest’s recent performances despite the loss to Derby.
He said: “If you lose one game out of four and have three victories we are in a good way.
“Lansbury will not be able to play and won’t join us but it’s important to have good regular performances.
“It’s difficult to know why there are so many injuries and it’s been such a handicap for the team.”
Video: Lichaj on bouncing back
Eric Lichaj has said it is important for Nottingham Forest to bounce back quickly and learn from their mistakes against Derby.
He said: “We just need to get back to winning ways and we need a good result – there’s no point looking back on it.
“I know the Forest fans were getting a bit of stick from the Derby fans and I’ll be getting some stick as well, especially with the way the whole team played, but our focus is on Preston.
“If you don’t learn from your mistakes, you won’t be successful.
“Preston play direct up to their main striker and they put some crosses in with good technical players but if we win the first and second ball the majority of the game then we should be able to produce some chances to score some goals.”
Nottingham Forest record v Preston
Played: 97
Won: 32
Drawn: 25
Lost: 40
The Reds last played the Lilywhites at the City Ground on March 8 with Forest coming out as 1-0 winners.
Nelson Oliveira scored the winner in the 37th minute of the match to win the home side all three points.
Earlier last season at Deepdale, Preston’s Eoin Doyle scored his first ever goal for the Lilywhites in the second minute which secured the win.
