Nottingham Forest return to action on Saturday (3pm kick-off) with arguably the biggest game of their season so far when they take on Wolverhampton Wanderers.
It’s straight in with a crunch clash for the Reds after the international break. Both teams are in the thick of the relegation battle, with one point separating them, and with Steve Cooper’s side sitting just two points above the drop zone.
The showdown at the City Ground marks the start of what could be a decisive three-game week for Forest, with away trips to Leeds United and Aston Villa to follow. Ahead of the weekend, here’s our round-up of the latest goings-on Trentside...
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Injury woes
Confirmation, if any were needed, of how busy the Reds’ treatment table continues to be with Forest top of another one - the Premier League injury table. By some distance, too.
Premier Injuries lists 15 players who are either struggling or sidelined. That tally does include a toe injury for Emmanuel Dennis, however - not one which has been mentioned by Cooper.
The Welshman does tend to be coy when discussing expected recovery timescales, and it could be that those classed as doubts to face Wolves (Brennan Johnson, Serge Aurier, Andre Ayew, Gustavo Scarpa and Ryan Yates) end up featuring.
Nevertheless, there’s no getting away from the significant number of absentees Forest are having to contend with. On the crocked list, Chelsea and Manchester United, with 10 apiece, are the clubs closest to the Reds.
Cooper wasn’t aware of the club topping that particular table when it was put to him in his pre-match press conference, but he made clear he is determined not to have a negative outlook on the situation.
Pressure cooker
“Pressure is a privilege” is the message from Steve Cooper as he prepares for a decisive period. In one of the closest Premier League relegation battles in recent memory, four points separate the bottom nine clubs.
Forest are winless in six, which makes Saturday’s clash a crucial one. The international break provided a chance to take stock, albeit the Reds would have preferred not to have gone into it on the back of a defeat. Nevertheless, the message to the players is to embrace the challenge ahead.
"When you're fighting for something that matters, you have to feel the emotions which go with it,” Cooper said. “Personally, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else than where we are now - okay, more points and league position. But thinking about what's happened since the day we got promoted to where we are now, we should be really reassured and confident to know that we can succeed in the next period of the season.
“That’s what we’re aiming to do. It’s going to be hard, but the best thing about it is we are in control of it. We can make the biggest difference in getting that outcome. We don’t have to rely on others, we can rely on ourselves. That is a good position to be in, but we’ve got to make the most of it - and that’s down to us.
“There’s nothing wrong with feeling tense or feeling pressure. If you don’t want that, then don’t be in the Premier League, don’t be in the spotlight that the Premier League puts you in.
“You have to relish the challenge, feel the tension, the pressure and the excitement in a positive way, and be honoured to be part of having an opportunity to do something that can be really exciting. For me, I’m proud to have that responsibility. I know the players are too.”
Stat attack
If the hosts can find the back of the net on Saturday, they will equal a club Premier League record of scoring in 13 consecutive home matches. The last time they did that was for the period between December 1994 and May 1995. The last league game at home they didn't score in was the 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in August.
Although a nine-match unbeaten run at the City Ground in the league was ended last time out by Newcastle United, Cooper’s men will look to draw upon their previous good form Trentside. They have opened the scoring in 10 of their 14 league fixtures at home this season - a tally they share with Manchester City and Brentford as the best in the division, according to the BBC. On the flip side, though, Forest have dropped points in five of those games, more than any other side when scoring first at home.
Date for the diary
April will be a big month all round on the banks of the Trent. The under-17s will be competing for silverware in the form of the Premier League Cup.
The final will be played at the City Ground on Wednesday, April 19, with a 7pm kick-off. Tottenham Hotspur will be the Reds’ opponents, with ticket details yet to be announced.
Forest toppled Middlesbrough 4-0 to reach the final. Prior to that, they had seen off Stoke City 1-0 in the quarter-finals.
Crunch time
For Forest Women, too, this weekend is a big one. Currently topping the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division, Andy Cook’s team take on promotion rivals Burnley at Eastwood’s Halbrooke Stadium (2pm kick-off).
The Reds hold a four-point advantage over the clarets with four league games to go, although their opponents have two matches in hand. Cooper says he would love to see fans get behind Cook’s side.
"We are all one club and we all strive to be successful together," he told the official website. "Our women's team are having a great season and it would be great to see our fanbase get behind them this weekend for a really important game against Burnley.
"Knowing the fans as I do, I know how much the support means to everybody and what a positive difference it can make. We wish Andy Cook and his side all the best on Sunday and hopefully we can both make it a positive weekend."
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