Lewis backed to give Forest fire to reach Prem

Grabban

CLAUDIO YACOB paid tribute to Lewis Grabban and said his goals will be vital to Nottingham Forest’s promotion hopes.

The striker grabbed his 10th of the season in this hard-fought win over the league leaders to move his side into the Championship play-off picture.

With victory at much-fancied Middlesbrough and a draw at Leeds already under their belt, Forest look capable of enjoying a good season under boss Aitor Karanka.

And Argentine Yacob insists the form of their leading scorer will be key to how high they finish.

“Lewis is a fantastic striker,” he said. “He took his goal very well. He shows every game just how important he is to our team.

“Lewis lives to score goals and we work very hard to give him chances as we all know how good he is.”

Grabban settled a close game with the only goal on 69 minutes.

Joao Carvalho did well to retrieve a partially cleared header from Kieron Freeman and his whipped cross was glanced home by the striker to secure all three points. It REF: was enough to see Forest move into sixth place and Yacob (below) admits it would be great to restore the glory days at the City Ground.

He added: “This was a very important win for the club. We’ve got a very good team and we’ve won a very close match.

“People have told me what it was like here 20 years ago, but it’s what we do now that counts.

“And it’s too soon to look at the table. We are just into November and the table changes every week. But I would love to help get Forest promoted and play back in the Premier League with this great club.” The defeat means that Sheffield United, who have a Steel City derby ATT: with Wednesday on Friday, slipped from top spot into third. They have caught the eye with their exciting, attacking football this season, but defender Martin Cranie believes it is the darker arts they need to master.

He said: “We’ve got to master the art of winning ugly. We need to win our home games, but pick up points away as well. There was just one goal in it, but we were not good enough over the whole 90 minutes.

“We’ll be ready for Wednesday. Everyone in the city will be buzzing. I can’t wait.”

MATCH STATS