Town captain looking forward to meeting old pal
TOWN captain Christopher Schindler is looking forward to welcoming Joe Lolley back to the John Smith’s Stadium – but not to take the points.
The 27-year-old Lolley has been a big hit at the City Ground since signing from Town almost two years ago and was Forest’s Player of the Season last term. Lolley, who scored for Town in the Premier League (against West Ham) less than a month before his Forest debut, spent four years at the John Smith’s Stadium and was a team-mate of Schindler’s for 18 months.
They celebrated together on the pitch at Wembley following Town’s promotion to the top flight, even though Lolley did not make the matchday squad against Reading.
And while Lolley’s time in blue and white stripes was hampered by injury – he made 91 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals – this is his first return to a ground where he made his professional breakthough after time in non-league.
“Joe has done really well since he left,” said Schindler of the City Ground player who has netted four times in 21 games this term but was left on the bench for the 4-0 home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.
“He is one of their key players in a good squad – a squad which is always battling for promotion.
“They took a tough knock in their last match, with a heavy defeat, so they will want to prove a point obviously. It will be a tough game, but I am looking forward to meeting Joe again because he is a great guy.
“He is a great lad and it’s always good to see your old mates.”