Positive approach can be successful
NOTTINGHAM Forest can play the brand of attacking football they want in the Championship - as long as they have belief in their own ability to do so.
That is the message from Jack Robinson, who has been part of Aitor Karanka’s side that has notched up a seven-match unbeaten run to lift themselves into the top six in the table.
The 25-year-old has enough Championship experience with Wolves, Blackpool, Huddersfield and QPR to know that you need more than attacking threat to flourish in the division.
But, at the same time, the defender believes Forest can stamp their own influence on games, if they continue to play with confidence.
“It is how you go into it. If you are confident enough, there is no reason why you cannot play the football you want,” said Robinson.
“Sometimes in the Championship you cannot attack as much as you might want to. There are times when you have to defend.
“But if we set up as we have been doing, we will definitely get chances to score goals. Then we just need to keep them out at the other end.
“It is about being clinical in games. The Championship is one of the hardest leagues out there. You might not get too many opportunities in games, so you need to take them when they come along.
“We just need to take our chances and finish games off.”
It has required some acclimatisation for Robinson this season, having resumed duty in the left-back position he started his career in, since joining Forest.
“It has been good, I have been enjoying it. I played in the centre of defence last season, so going back to left-back has been a little bit different,” said Robinson, speaking prior to the game at the Riverside, when he received a late red card after collecting his second booking of the game.
“I have been enjoying it, because that is where I played growing up. And, under Aitor, it has been good for me, because he allows you to get forward.”