Nottingham Forest aim to build on three consecutive wins against out of form Barnsley

Nottingham Forest will be aiming to continue their push for the play-offs following an impressive victory over Derby County at the weekend.

With Barnsley visiting on Tuesday evening, Steve Cooper’s men have responded well in recent weeks following some sloppy defending and failure to convert chances, which dampened their festive period.

However, three wins on the bounce against Arsenal, Millwall, and local rivals Derby County has left fans feeling very optimistic once more that Forest can reach the play-offs at the end of the season.

Ryan Yates, who turned villain on Boxing Day with a dreadful back pass which contributed to defeat at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day, has since picked up from where he left off in his impressive season at The City Ground.

The midfielder starred in the shock FA Cup win over Arsenal which saw Forest progress to the Fourth Round. Against Derby County at the weekend, Yates showed his stock once more alongside James Garner, as the pair easily won the midfield battle once Forest’s number 22 had been redeployed back into his preferred position after starting the game in defence.

What Steve Cooper will be mindful of against the visiting Barnsley will be a degree of complacency creeping into his side’s game and delivering another good performance.

“Everyone’s been in good spirits, we were in on Sunday to get the recovery and preparations right.

“The balance is good, the boys are feeling really positive about themselves, but at the same time they are focused on trying to pick up another three points tomorrow.

“We know that we have done some good things recently, but it only means something if you keep building on it.

“This is not the time to be looking back, this is the time to be thinking what’s next, that’s where everyone’s mentality has to be.”

In front of goal, Forest have addressed a lack of cutting edge with the arrival of Aston Villa’s Keinan Davis on loan, a player Cooper knows well from his time in the England youth setup. A powerful player that can hold the ball up and bring others into play, those are traits that will undoubtedly help the youngster during his time in the East Midlands, and he is already making a good impression at his new club.

Both Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor are not renowned for their play with their backs to the goal and the arrival has provided an extra dimension to Cooper’s passing philosophy with his direct running.

The addition has not affected Grabban. In fact, he has scored in all three of the games since the arrival of Davis and has played alongside him in the attack against Millwall and Derby.

Having sat out of the starting lineup in recent weeks, Philip Zinckernagel will be chomping at the bit, particularly after picking up assists in Forest’s two last games having come off the bench.

“Not to underestimate a team down the bottom end of the table, as Forest were in the same position at the beginning of the season, but the way we played against Derby, it was a good performance. If we can replicate something similar then I can only see a comfortable win for Forest.” – Ashley Whelehan – Nottingham Forest supporter

Whilst Barnsley have massively struggled this campaign after reaching the play-off semi-finals last season, the loss of Chief Executive Dane Murphy to Forest has been a blow behind the scenes. Murphy was at the heart of Barnsley’s recruitment drive to bring young up and coming talent to Oakwell, but losing manager Valérien Ismaël to West Bromwich Albion has proved the most difficult to take.

Alex Mowatt followed him out of the door, one of the outstanding midfielders in the Championship in recent seasons. To add further insult to injury, last season’s impressive loanee Daryl Dike has also joined Ismaël and Mowatt at the Hawthorns.

Derby County’s 21-point deduction had been the only thing keeping them off the bottom of the Championship table, but Barnsley’s poor form has continued to see them now propping up the table.

Going into tomorrow’s game, Barnsley are struggling to field a team with only 13 players fit but have. However, having seen their request to have the game postponed turned down, Barnsley assistant manager Ferran Sibilia was trying to remain positive.

“It’s time for them to lose! But no, they’ve won three in a row, they did beat Arsenal recently, so we know it’s a big challenge for us especially in these circumstances,” he added.

“But if they can beat Arsenal then we can beat Nottingham Forest.

“They started very badly and have gone on to turn it all around. It’s fine margins. The momentum in football is huge. That positive flow.”

Following their defeat at the weekend to Birmingham City, the Tykes are now without a win since November 3rd, which ironically came against Derby, and have registered only two victories all season. They are still also searching for their first away win of the season.

“I’d love to think new year, new Barnsley but I’m not optimistic ahead of visiting The City Ground sadly.

“We have gone from competing to be in the Premier League to being incapable of winning a game of football. Couple that with the fact Steve Cooper is our bogey manager, in terms of how he always knows how to beat a Barnsley team and I’m expecting another defeat.” – Joe Beardsall – Barnsley supporter

However, Forest have struggled against Barnsley in years gone by. Having beaten the Reds to pull off a fantastic escape from relegation in the 2019/20 campaign, travelling fans will be hoping for a win against the odds to kickstart their battle against survival.

Follow us on Twitter @ProstInt