Vital Reading season preview
Club: Nottingham Forest F.C.
Founded: 1865
Nickname: Forest
Ground: City Ground (Capacity: 30, 602)
When we face off: Fri 29th November (A), Wed 1st January (H)
Last season finish: 8th – Championship
Manager: Billy Davies – The Scotsman returned to Forest for his second managerial spell at the end of last season, after leaving the club two years previous. Forest made a flying start under the former Derby manager, winning six of his opening seven games. However, they could not keep this form up and just missed out on the play offs. There will be pressure from the owners on Davies, so will want to make a good start to the campaign.
Key player: Jamie Mackie – Forest have made a few good acquisitions in this transfer window and the former QPR player is one of them. Mackie featured regularly under former Rangers boss Neil Warnock, but was not particularly favoured by Mark Hughes or Harry Redknapp. He is a pacey and tricky forward, who is capable of playing on either wing or as a central striker. Mackie’s experience in the Premier League and the Championship will be valuable to Forest’s promotion bid.
Season Preview – Forest had three different managers last season and unarguably Davies had the best record, so will want some consistency this time round. They very narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season, but Davies will want to be judged from this point onwards, now he has had the chance to have a whole pre-season with his team and bring in the necessary players. De vries, Mackie and Jara are very wise signings from the Scotsman, who will be looking for promotion this season.
