Newcastle United play host to Nottingham Forest in the Championship tomorrow night.
During an exclusive interview with the club’s official website, Forest boss Philippe Montanier outlined what his side have to do, if they are to have any chance of success against Newcastle at St James’ Park tomorrow night.
Both sides are in desperate need of the victory, and for entirely different reasons.
Montanier’s men currently sit in 18th position in the Championship table, just six points clear of the relegation zone, while Newcastle find themselves in second spot, two points adrift of league leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.
Nottingham Forest manager Philippe Montanier
And the Frenchman pinpointed a key area where his Forest side must excel, if they are to leave the North-East with all three points, as quoted by NottinghamForest.co.uk:
“We need to be strong defensively as if you leave a lot of space they have good attackers. But we need to take our chances too and attack quickly and find a balance between a defensive mentality and managing the ball well. If we don’t do that it will be difficult to get a result.”
Nottingham Forest manager Philippe Montanier
The visitors will certainly have to keep it tight at the back – something that has been a rarity for Forest this season, after conceding 41 goals in 23 league outings – the second worst defensive record in the division.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have scored 45 in 23 games – the highest tally in the Championship.
And as a result, even the most ardent of Nottingham Forest fans will be heading to Tyneside with a sense of apprehension, rather than expectation.
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