David Prutton says Nottingham Forest have a great opportunity to beat Brighton in their 'must win' game on Wednesday, but only if they cut out basic errors.
The Reds will be aiming to end their 11 game winless run and boost their faltering Premier League survival hopes against a Brighton team which lost on penalties to Manchester United in the FA Cup semi-final with a full strength team.
Former Forest midfielder Prutton told the Garibaldi Red podcast that defeat after 120 minutes yesterday is to his old club's advantage, but they must tighten up defensively having conceded three goals from set pieces against Liverpool in the 3-2 reverse.
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"The physical side of it, from a Forest angle, for them to play that long and for them to lose, everyone is saying thank you very much. That's in Forest's favour.
"There's plenty to keep Forest honest. I'm leaning towards it being must win. A point is wonderful but going into this last run of fixtures a win could be huge. There'll be tension and emotion.
"Hopefully this is a battle weary Brighton side but by no means do you sell them short. With Brennan Johnson back in the side and the way they can play under the lights stacks it slightly in Forest's favour, but if they defend like they did at Liverpool they'll lose.
"I'm hearing the frustration of so many good things being undone by fundamentals (at Anfield). There were warning signs before the first goal went in. The delivery of Trent Alexander-Arnold is first class.
"After that, it's genuine responsibility taking. I've mentioned how good the delivery is but if you look at the goals, the Jota one where he can bring it down in the box is staggeringly inept because of the player he is.
"They'll have reams and reams of homework and data, but if Jota or Mo Salah are on their own in the box then someone has messed up.
"Liverpool are a team that will dismantle most Premier League teams so to push them that far is fantastic, but all it ended being was a valiant effort. There's enough fight there and enough points for Forest to stay up, but they'll kill themselves if they don't do the basics of not marking and not picking up."
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