WILL THE FOREST FIRE HIT IPSWICH FOR STU?
FOREST boss Stuart Pearce has warned his troops that today’s clash with fellow pace-setters Ipswich will be their toughest of the season.
Free-scoring Forest led the table for the whole of August but have since suffered a dip in form with three consecutive goalless draws allowing Norwich to nip ahead.
Mick McCarthy’s Tractor Boys have endured no such troubles, taking 13 points from 15 in September to establish themselves among the promotion contenders.
“Personally, I think it will be our toughest game yet,” said the former England defender.“With the run they’re on at the moment we know the task we’re facing.
“I went to see them play at Wigan (a 2-1 win to Ipswich) and was impressed with the way they left three men up when they were defending. They’re a very athletic side, a very big side.
“And Mick McCarthy is an outstanding manager. It’ll be a very difficult game but a very exciting one.”
Forest’s fit-again striker Matty Fryatt, meanwhile, has hailed the club’s posse of injured players for making his lay-off with a hip injury more bearable.
The 28-year-old suffered a muscle tear and was taking painkillers to play before finally admitting defeat at the end of August. But with the likes of Dexter Blackstock, Andy Reid and Jack Hobbs also hobbled, the treatment room wasn’t too lonely.
“The hardest thing is doing rehab by yourself,” he said.“When you train, it’s with 24-25 other people. If you’re in the gym by yourself it can be long days.
“I know you don’t want anyone injured but if you’ve got someone else there it makes a big difference.
“You build up a bit of camaraderie. You’re in earliest, you’re out latest, doing all the bits and pieces. But we bit of music on, had a bit of banter and made the best of it.”