Aggression is key to unbeaten run of results
LOLLEY BELIEVES CHANGE OF ATTITUDE HAS BEEN CRUCIAL
NOTTINGHAM Forest’s sevenmatch unbeaten run - and their climb into the Championship top six - has been inspired by Aitor Karanka’s side finding their “aggression”.
Winger Joe Lolley believes the Reds’ recent resurgence has come about after the Forest boss called for a change in attitude from his squad.
Forest responded by embarking on an improved run of form, which started with a 0-0 draw at Swansea, where the Reds might have taken all three points, and culminated most recently in an impressive 2-0 win at Middlesbrough.
As they head into another international break, prior to the visit of Norwich City next weekend, winger Lolley hopes their good form will continue.
“Since the last international break and up to this one, we have remained unbeaten and we are in pretty good form,” said the former Huddersfield man.
“We have played well, we have been aggressive and we hope that continues for us because we will go a long way if we can continue that. I think that was the change [being more aggressive]. Both defensively and going forward. We’ve always had the potential to score goals but we probably needed to defend better as a team.
“But, with a better structure, we now press teams, we do not let them play and we get the ball higher up the pitch.
“We are a lot more aggressive defensively as well. That helps us. It is paying off so far.”
Lolley, whose goal at the Riverside Stadium last weekend was his third in four games, says it will be hard to top the performance against Tony Pulis’s side but feels that must be Forest’s target, regardless.
“We hope we will top that performance but it will be hard over the course of the season to put in a better away display,” he said.
“To come away with three points and a clean sheet is a massive bonus. We controlled the game throughout.”
When Norwich visit next weekend, Lolley knows Forest will get good backing from the stands.
“That feeling of not losing games and being disappointed when you draw, rather than winning - that is a good feeling to have,” said Lolley. “After Millwall we were frustrated and angry. But it was another point and we had not lost the game.
“Since I have been at Forest the support has been brilliant and it seems to have gone up another notch again this season.”