‘We go there with big expectations’ – Forest travel to Loftus Road in the Championship’s opening weekend

When Nottingham Forest were beaten 4-1 by Stoke on the Final Day of last season, it felt like the world had ended.

The loss at the City Ground meant that the Reds did not make the Championship Play-Offs, having spent the majority of the season in them. Players were visibly distraught, some fell to the floor, some like Joe Lolley were reduced to tears. BBC Radio Nottingham’s commentary team that night of Colin Fray and ex-Forest man Steve Hodge were left speechless, the Reds’ season after promising so much, had finished in one of the most painful ways.

52 days on from that dark night, the new season awaits. Forest are tipped by many to have a strong season – being around the top six once again.

Undoubtedly following last season, there is more pressure on Lamouchi, which he is already admitted. When the Frenchman joined in the summer of last year, many were unsure what he would bring to Forest. Would he bring success and improvement or would he join the City Ground’s managerial merry-go-round? This has seen managers come and go in quick succession over the last decade.

To the Forest fans’ delight it brought in improvement, it may have not been the most attractive style of play, but it got results. People now know what Lamouchi can do and is seen as the right man by the board, they will expect him to deliver.

That higher demand has not phased the Forest manager, as he stated in his press conference on Thursday:

“I feel more pressure, (but) I am very positive.”

The Reds have recruited extremely well, bringing in the player who Lamouchi “wanted to sign” and in truth needed. These include the likes of Luke Freeman, Lyle Taylor and Jack Colback. Players who have proved their trade in the Championship and all whom can improve a Nottingham Forest squad which already includes, Brice Samba, Joe Worrall, Joe Lolley and Lewis Grabban.

On top of that, this could be a season that sees some familiar faces make an impact on Trentside. Joao Carvalho has been a player who has been left out in the last 18 months, by both Lamouchi and even former boss Martin O’Neill. However, he was involved in Forest’s EFL Cup tie on Saturday, playing 60 minutes in the defeat to Barnsley. He is believed to have had breakthrough talks with his manager and could feature more regularly this season.

On top of that Matty Cash’s departure could pave the way for Tendayi Dariwka or Carl Jenkinson to emerge as the Reds’ No.1 Right-Back. Dariwka spent all of last season sidelined with injury, while the former Arsenal man was more of a fringe player.

It could also be a year which also sees the emergence of the club’s youngsters including, Alex Mighten, Brennan Johnson and Jordan Gabriel – who like Carvalho played at Oakwell last weekend.

They still may need a winger, but regardless Forest have undoubtedly one of the strongest and most in-depth squads in the entire Championship, which will be extremely important for the upcoming season ahead. Last season the Reds lacked a game-changer, especially in the centre of the midfield, where their only creative midfield option was Tiago Silva. Now they have five with Freeman, Colback, Carvalho and even Johnson adding necessary reinforcements.

On a sidenote supporting this, with the campaign starting six weeks later than it typically does, as well as the fact it’s still expected to conclude in early May, it’s a crammed fixture list. With that players will most likely get tired and pick up injuries. Though Lamouchi will want to avoid that, he at least knows he has the right calibre players to call upon if (or when) they end up in that situation.

We get to see how Forest get on in their opening day clash at Queens Park Rangers.  Forest have an excellent record at Loftus Road, winning in their last three visits which includes a 4-0 thrashing back in November.

But it’s the opening day of the new season, and under ex-Reds manager Mark Warburton, there is no soft touch. They caused Lamouchi’s men a few problems in their encounter back in February. Their solid defensive display in the East Midlands frustrated Forest to just two shots on target, as well as a solitary point.

Though the likes of Ebere Eze and Jordan Hugill are gone, QPR know they still have the armoury in their attack, through Ryan Manning, Bright Oseyi-Samuel and new signing Lyndon Dykes, who started for Scotland in midweek and scored. As a 6″2 inch centre-forward he could be one to cause problems to the Forest defence.

Nonetheless, Lamouchi is defiant about this weekend as has stated his side are prepared:

“QPR are a good footballing team, they produced many good performances and results last season and they will be the same.

“We know what kind of football they will play and we will be ready for that.”

“We go there with big expectation.”

Undoubtedly a long, hard season is upon Forest once again. They may come into the start of it off the back of a glum end to last one, but that needs to be something which is shaken off as soon as possible. The Reds have a real opportunity to get some early season points on the board. It won’t be easy, but Forest will want to come away with the win.

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