Warnock envious of Hughton’s options
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Neil Warnock has joked he will speak to Nottingham Forest counterpart Chris Hughton about taking some players from “one of the best squads” in the Championship.
The Reds head to the Riverside Stadium today, with Warnock saying he envies the group Hughton has to work with.
Forest made 14 additions during the summer transfer window – Anthony Knockaert being the sole signing during Hughton’s tenure, on domestic deadline day.
The change in manager has resulted in a four-game unbeaten run ahead of the weekend’s clash, although the visitors will come up against a Boro side who have lost only once in the league.
“They (Forest) have got one of the best squads in the whole league,” Warnock told the Middlesbrough Gazette.
“When you look at the numbers they’ve got, I envy them. They’ve got two teams and we can barely name all substitutes.
“I don’t know how many they signed but the front four is as good as anything in the league.
“We have to be on top form to cope with those and get a result.
“I didn’t think things were right (at the start of the season for Forest) but I knew as soon as Chris came in, it’s a good job for Chris. He’s a good manager.
“With the players they’ve got, they’ll have to be in the top seven or eight. They’ll still be looking at that.
“I could do with a couple of their players, I’ll have a word with Chris!”
He added: “I think Chris will be thinning it (the squad) down in January. I think they’ve got 30 pros. I’ve only got 20 and two are injured long term.
“You know what you’re getting with Chris, he’s a nine out of 10 every week.
“They’ ve needed somebody like Chris for years. Chris will still be looking at the top six with that squad, make no mistake.” Chuba Akpom will be assessed by Middlesbrough’s medics ahead of the game. The striker missed Boro’s 2-0 win over Coventry City on Tuesday through illness but has since returned a negative Covid-19 test. Warnock has a largely fit squad to select from otherwise.