Friday night is the big one! For the next East Midlands Derby between Derby and Forest we wanted to get some insights on Forest ahead of the match so we spoke with Rich Ferraro from the 1865 Forest Ramble, Dore on Tour, Luke Turton from Turton Talks and The NFFC Pod to get the low down from other side of the A52!
The last time these two teams met, it ended in a draw. What were your thoughts about the match?
Forest Ramble: Our most recent match was not without controversy but it was hardly a high quality encounter. The main thing that sticks in the memory for us was Kamil Jozwiak's disallowed goal - a similar thing happened to us a few weeks later, and they do say that these things even themselves out over the season... It was also important at the time that Lyle Taylor got his first goal for the club; I suspect that the Rams fans were a bit miffed by that goal as Scott McKenna was in an offside position, but I don't think I would moan too much if that same thing happened against us. Dore on Tour: Point was fair for both teams but derby did get robbed with that disallowed goal from Jozwiak's strike but as a Forest fan i cant complain at all with a point.
Luke Turton: I thought the game was a cagey affair and Waghorn scored from a free kick which for me came against the run of play, you could quite easily have had a second through Jozwiak but luckily from us Reds, we got a goal back from Lyle Taylor from a corner kick.
NFFC Pod: Thinking back we were probably a tad fortunate with the way the game went and the controversial goal. It was a classic Derby game with it being tight and not a massive amount of clear cut chances but we did ride our look at times. I remember being impressed by Kamil Jozwiak and Graeme Shinnie, both were very busy and causing us problems throughout. It was one of Hughton's first game and he was still feeling things out, weirdly playing 4-4-2 with no Worrall, no Knockaert, no progression in midfield and both Grabban and Taylor starting. It will be a very different outfit for the game on Friday.
When the two sides last met, Chris Hughton had just been appointed manager. How would you rate his job as manager so far?
Forest Ramble: I genuinely think that he is a quality manager, but I have to admit that I was hoping that he would have a greater impact much sooner. In fairness, that isn't his fault - like Rooney, our manager has had to be canny in the January transfer market because he inherited a squad that was lacking in key positions. By signing Glenn Murray upfront, and James Garner and Filip Krovinovic in midfield, we now have the ability to transition the ball from defence to midfield in a way that we could not in the first half of the season.
Forest now have a greater defensive solidity due to team shape and Hughton's tactics; conceding goals wasn't the big problem but we are less vulnerable to players making individual mistakes. The main change is that we now have the ability to transition and create better quality chances, even if we are not taking enough of them just yet.
Dore on Tour: Chris Hughton has done a great job for Forest, not the best or great football but he's getting results with a poor side. I can't complain at all with Hughton.
Luke Turton: It has been fairly mixed to be honest. We started the season with fou straight defeats so it was imperative to come back and get the run we had going into the next international break. Then we only took one point out of 18 available so had to rebuild up until January luckily we made signings of Garner and Krovinovic who are making an impact.
NFFC Pod: I'd say he's been a slow burner but you can really start to see his stamp on the team. Results have taken a massive upturn since the start of 2021, losing just two games in the league in that time. Consistent good performances are being backed up with other good performances and we've now found some needed consistency in our game.
What has Chris Hughton done differently than Sabri Lamouchi? Forest Ramble: As I mentioned above, you know what you are getting with Hughton - he is a steady manager who believes in evolution, not revolution. He has worked on shape and tactics to get us more solid and to ensure that we are now more effective in defence and attack. With Sabri, it was all about getting the team to outperform their potential, which was very exciting at times; Hughton's teams will never be as thrilling to watch. When Hughton took over at Brighton in the first third of the season, they were in 21st position, and they finished 20th that season, before making the play-offs the following year; this is pretty much what Forest fans are hoping for (despite a few errant voices calling for Hughton's head every time we lose).
Dore on Tour: Hughton came into the forest job with a mess with things happening behind the scenes & on the pitch, Hughton slowly brought his experience to forest like sorting out our defenders plus bringing the Brighton gang as everyone had been saying like Knockert & Murray, Hughton's win ratio is 34.5% since coming to Forest which is great but this season's job is to stay up and always Forest fans say' we going again next season.
Luke Turton: I mean not a lot has changed style wise we just look a bit more organised and have a few more creative players now to balance it out.
NFFC Pod: Think there is a common misconception that they're similar type of coaches but I would disagree. Sabri I feel worked with what he got and found a low block-counter attacking system which suited the players we had. Hughton is a defensively solid manager look at his time at Brighton constant wins by a one goal margin, clean sheets and being strong. Hughton has added this now and personally feel Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall are forming a great partnership. Tobias Figueiredo comes in when there are injuries and his form has picked up in recent weeks too. As I said before he's starting to really make his mark on the team, with clear game plans and pressing systems being visible throughout games now. The addition of James Garner on loan from Manchester United, in addition to Krovinovic and Cafu player a deeper role have given us the ability to get on the ball in midfield and get our wide players higher and having an impact on the game.
Forest, like Derby are in the lower third of the table. Do you think that Forest is in real danger of relegation? Forest Ramble: I wish I could say that we will be ok, but this has been a crazy season hasn't it? Usually the table starts to take shape in early December, but this year I think that points are far more important than league positions. At the time of writing we are about to play Rotherham and then your lot, and they are both six-pointers - luckily, we have a decent record against teams in the bottom half of the table this season.
Dore on Tour: At the start of the season with the 14 players we brought in and already had, we should still be in the Top 6 or even pushing it for Top 2, but yet were now near the Bottom 3. Are we in danger of relegation? Bbig picture is we are in trouble but we have not been too bad in our last 14 games so slowly we are getting away but still got to watch teams below us.
Luke Turton: Personally I think these next few fixtures are key but to be honest there are three worse teams in this league than us and Derby.
NFFC Pod: If you'd have asked me this four or five weeks ago, myself and many other fans were very worried. Recent performances and results have started to get fans feeling more positive and rightly so. Our next three games of Rotherham (Tuesday before the Derby game), Derby and Luton are all a huge opportunity to pull ourselves clear of the relegation scrap and start thinking of next season. For what its worth I think Derby and Forest have got too much to go down and there are definitely three teams worse than both of us.
What formation do Forest normally use and how do they normally play (possession, long-ball, etc.)
Forest Ramble: Forest have stuck rigidly to 4-2-3-1 since the gaffer arrived. Hughton is very much a back-to-basics manager and hasn't flinched even when fans and commentators have suggested alternative formations and tactics. He has worked hard to make Forest more comfortable in possession - Garner and Krovinovic help massively as they are happy to receive and hold the ball and have great special awareness, whereas the likes of Ryan Yates, Samba Sow and Jack Colback have tended to move it on quickly (too quickly most of the time).
Dore on Tour: All season we played 4-2-3-1 with Sabri Lamouchi & Chris Hughton as managers, Hughton plays long ball if Murray is playing so midfield can join in the attack but if Grabban or Taylor plays to feet so Hughton has 2 different styles he can play with.
Luke Turton: 4-2-3-1is the normal formation. Tactically it's a long ball passing mix.
NFFC Pod: Forest typically play a 4-2-3-1, emphasis being on the full backs (mainly Christie), CDM's getting on the ball and progressing it forwards, and the wingers to get high and link up with the striker. I wouldn't got as far to say it's a deep low block, but we're a solid defensive unit who often look better when out of possession and looking to counter. Which I think is going to be a problem for Derby who often look better when they've got space to play into.
Alex Mighten is a young player who has been catching the eye. What is he all about?
Forest Ramble: Mighten is the kind of player that fans love - young, enthusiastic, fast and skillful. He hasn't played much but injuries forced Hughton's hand around Christmas time, and when Mighten has played he hasn't let us down. The gaffer is playing it safe by not putting him in the team too much, in order to manage expectations. My favourite Mighten moment was his assist for Sammy Ameobi's great goal against Millwall - a one-two with Mighten where the youngster played a perfect lay-off for his more experienced colleague to find the top corner.
Dore on Tour: Alex Mighten made his debut against Chelsea in the FA Cup last year and since then he has been fantastic for Forest, slowly getting in the starting eleven, he scored his first goal for Forest away against Millwall. He's been in and out of the team but scored the winning goal against Blackburn at the City Ground on Saturday. He's a great prospect for Forest and is already a fan favourite but it will take time for him to fully develop.
Luke Turton: Quick, pacey, but needs space to run into but has scored at least two goals this season Millwall and Blackburn. But you never know which Mighten will play.
NFFC Pod: He's no doubt a good talent, capable of playing from either wing but mainly from the left he's someone who is direct and likes to drive at players. He does sometimes struggle to get into games but when he's on form he's a real handful, he has however found regular minutes hard to come by.
Forest have a lot of good strikers players in Lyle Taylor, Lewis Grabban, Glen Murray. How does Hughton fit them all into the team? Forest Ramble: Many Reds fans were sceptical about Murray, but I was happy to see him come in - Grabban has had a tough year with injuries, poor form and confidence; I don't think it helps that he is the captain either. You know what you are getting with Murray, despite his age - a finisher who also has the ability to bring his team mates into play. The jury is out on Taylor, but I don't think that this is his fault; Cristiano Ronaldo would have struggled to score goals for Forest in the first half of this season. Dore on Tour: All our forwards like Grabban, Taylor and Murray are different. Hughton will only play one up front but occasionally two, Grabban was injured most of the time and Taylor not been scoring as much but Murray arrived at Forest and has brought a little bit of positive vibes to the team so its good to have good some competition up front.
Luke Turton: Well, Murray and Grabban seem to be rotating more recently with Grabban seeming to not being totally fit. Lyle Taylor hasn't really been featuring that much so far.
NFFC Pod: He doesn't we only play with one striker predominately. It appears to me that Murray is now the first choice and in a Derby game I would imagine he will start with his experience. With Grabban rotating with Murray, and Taylor seemingly fallen to the bottom of the pecking order.
Forest also have two exciting wide players in Anthony Knockaert and Joe Lolley. How have they been doing this season? Forest Ramble: Anthony Knockaert is finally coming into his own as Forest's danger man - he is getting more confident at taking on his man and has been unlucky not to score in the last two matches (with efforts off the line and hitting the bar), so he is finally looking like the player who has lit up the Championship in the past. On the face of it, this is bad news for Lolley, as he had previously been Forest's inside-out left-footed right-winger. However, since he scored against you in THAT match last season, Lolley has struggled massively for fitness and form. Knockaert's arrival has taken the pressure off him, and we have started to see glimpses of the player that we know and love.
Dore on Tour: Joe Lolley has not been great at all this season, fantastic last season but not the same heights this season, few match winners but all around not good enough, Knockaert slowly getting his form back up but started very slow in a Forest shirt but Forest extended his loan and he has again slowly improved his form like he did with Brighton. Both of them can be good on the day, just more consistency is needed from both of them.
Luke Turton: Fairly inconsistent, Lolley hardly plays and Knockaert likes hitting the bar. On their day they can be amazing just have too many off days.
NFFC Pod: Knockaert has been great, though he struggled when he first come in but has really found his feet, he's not the quickest but he has the ability to come in from the right onto his left foot even when defenders try to stop him. Hughton seems to have found a great use out of him in recent weeks, deploying him as the outlet ball when we're out of possession by keeping him high and telling him not to track back all of the time. As for Lolley he's had a poor season so far really, trying to get over the injuries which plagued him last season and fighting for minutes with Mighten, Ameobi, and Freeman. He needs a run of games to try and find his form but I don't think he'll consistently get that.
What are the strengths of this Forest side?
Forest Ramble: Forest are now more solid, defensively and offensively. It won't be exciting but it is yielding better results, particularly since Christmas time. We are far from the finished article, and I suspect that the team and personnel will be quite different next season - but bearing in mind that Hughton inherited an imbalanced and disjointed squad who were bereft of confidence, they have made significant (if slow) progress in the last few months.
Dore on Tour: Forest strengths are in the midfield with players like Cafu and James Garner (on loan from Manchester United) helping out the forwards but Murray has been great bringing in players like, Knockert, Mighten and Krovinovic, into play which has improved Forest a lot.
Luke Turton: We battle more now and grind 1-0s out. We can attack better and depending on which side turns up we can retain possession.
NFFC Pod: After recent performances its definitely our shape and system our of possession. It allows us to be defensively strong and compact but also affords us the chance to press with intensity when the opportunity arises. Also Garner has been a revelation in helping us get on the ball and getting the team higher up the pitch.
What are the weaknesses of this Forest side?
Forest Ramble: Full-back. Cyrus Christie is a decent athlete and has recently gained confidence with his running and crossing; but he is still poor when it comes to tracking back and cutting out crosses. On the other side, Yuri Ribeiro has plenty of energy and is a player we like - but he isn't the best when it comes to defending at the far post.
Dore on Tour: Weakness has to be right back Cyrus Christie because most of the goals we have conceded have come from his defensive side but going forward I can't complain because he has had few assists. His defending he need some improvement, goalkeeper Brice Samba had moments with silly goals let in also but the right has been a issues since Matty Cash left us for Aston Villa.
Luke Turton: Cyrus Christie is always AWOL!!
NFFC Pod: We can have periods of the game where we switch off, or where we let the opposition get on top. Our fullbacks are not the strongest and believe teams can make the most of this by creating from wide areas.
Who are the key men for Forest?
Forest Ramble: Man United loanee James Garner is providing real quality and rhythm in midfield. For a 19 year old, it is really impressive how he can dictate play on and off the ball, and he is willing to get stuck in as well. Forest's transfer policy last summer is a whole different conversation, but having lost Tiago Silva and Joao Carvalho, we were crying out for a player who is comfortable receiving the ball and in transition.
Dore on Tour: Key men for Forest have to be in midfield with Cafu, Garner, Knockert or Krovinovic because they make our midfield tick when going forward and supply for Murray, Grabban and/or Taylor.
Luke Turton: James Garner, Filip Krovinovic, Glenn Murray, Brice Samba and Joe Worrall.
NFFC Pod: Key players for us would be Garner, Krovinovic and Knockaert - These men are they to our success going forwards of late and help us going forward no end.
Which way is the game going to go? And what is your score prediction? Forest Ramble: To be honest, I don't know what your team are going to do from one match to the next; your performance levels have clearly improved but like us, you are still in a relegation hinterland. If it was at The City Ground I would be more confident of a Forest win, but even without fans in Pride Park I would be happy with a draw: let's go for another 1-1.
Dore on Tour: Its going be a tough game like any our East Midlands Derby, so form goes out the window for both teams, they both need to start pushing away from Bottom 3 but if i predicted my result with my head I'd say its going a good game. My mind says a 2-1 Forest win but but my heart says another 1-1.
Luke Turton: Forest win 3-0!
NFFC Pod: Realistically it's going to be a tight game as they always are, especially away from home. Personally I think with the way we set up Derby will have to take the initiative to play and I don't this will entirely suit them. With how strong we've been defensively, I fancy us to nick a goal and win 1-0.
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