Defender Max Lowe says the Nottingham Forest fans at the City Ground “are the best home fans” he has played in front of.
The atmosphere on the banks of the Trent has been electric of late, not least in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool. And the Reds will look to make the most of that backing during the season’s run-in, with four of their final 10 games on their own turf.
Lowe is sidelined with a groin problem sustained in the 4-0 thumping of Reading earlier this month, which is expected to keep him out for about six weeks. But when he has been out on the pitch, the Sheffield United loanee - who has already suggested he would like to extend his stay Trentside - has been wowed by the Forest crowd.
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Yates' progress
Midfielder Ryan Yates is reaping the rewards of his hard work as he continues to impress for Nottingham Forest.
Against Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday, the 24-year-old came close to extending his purple patch of finding the back of the net. He had a header saved and saw a penalty appeal waved away in the second half of the Reds’ 1-0 defeat.
Prior to that, Yates had scored in each of his last four appearances, taking his tally to eight goals for the season so far. That run included a fabulous strike from outside the box in the 4-0 rout over Reading.
The academy graduate has been in fine form under head coach Steve Cooper, earning a new deal until 2025 in the process. And teammate Jack Colback says it is testament to the commitment Yates his shown towards improving his own game.
Spence warning
Former Premier League midfielder Andy Townsend has warned Nottingham Forest loanee Djed Spence about joining Liverpool this summer.
The full-back has caught the eye with his performances for the Reds this season. The 21-year-old has impressed in both the Championship, where he has played a total of 32 times, and in Forest’s run to the FA Cup quarter-final.
His performances have led to speculation over his future with the on-loan Middlesbrough man said to be gaining interest from Premier League clubs, including Liverpool. Steve Cooper ’s men were narrowly defeated by Jurgen Klopp’s side in the FA Cup at the weekend.
Amid speculation over where Spence could be playing his football next season, Townsend has sent a warning to the full-back over any potential move to Anfield. “He has been outstanding,” he told talkSPORT.
Points target
Nottingham Forest have a big 10 games ahead as the Championship promotion race gears up for a thrilling finish.
The table is incredibly tight. A number of teams remain in the hunt for a top-six spot, with the Reds firmly in the mix.
Just 10 points separate second-placed Bournemouth from QPR in eighth, with Forest a point and a place further back. Even Millwall, in 10th, will still not have given up hope of gatecrashing the play-off spots.
But how many points will they need to give themselves a shot of reaching the top-flight? Forest currently have 58 from 36 matches played. It’s difficult to predict what the threshold will be, but here’s a look at how many points the team in sixth picked up in the last 10 seasons.
