FOREST OUT TO REKINDLE GLORY DAYS
TENDAYI DARIKWA admits he is dreaming of helping Nottingham Forest finally return to the Premier League promised land.
Forest were relegated from the top flight in May 1999 but are enjoying a fine campaign under Spanish boss Aitor Karanka.
A routine win over rock-bottom Ipswich made it seven games unbeaten and left the two-time European Cup winners in fifth.
Nottingham-born right-back Darikwa, who created both goals for Lewis Grabban (celebrating, above), said: “We want to be higher up the table. Everyone knows the history of Nottingham Forest but I think for a long time the club has underachieved.
“There is a long way to go, but hopefully we can be the group of players who can take Forest back to the Premier League.
“There is still a lot more to come from the group so we just need to stay humble and use the pressure as a positive.”
Grabban, a £6million summer buy from Bournemouth, has 15 goals in his last 15 appearances.
Darikwa added: “His goal record speaks for itself and he frightens the life out of defenders. He’s been brought in to do a job and he’s doing that.”
Grabban tapped in a rebound after Bartosz Bialkowski spilled a ninth-minute shot from Darikwa.
As half-time approached, Darikwa’s superb cross was fired home by Grabban, who was later denied a hat-trick by the crossbar.
Ipswich have yet to win under Paul Lambert but midfielder Cole Skuse insisted: “No panic buttons are being pressed. There are plenty of games to play.”
FOREST:
Cooper Williams
MILLWALL: MOTM SHAUN HUTCHINSON (MILLWALL)