Successive away defeats at the hands of Cardiff City and Middlesbrough have dented the Reds' charge for the play-offs but, as manager Billy Davies told the club's official website, to be in with a chance of promotion at this stage is still a massive bonus given the turmoil that preceeded his return.
"If, 12 games ago, somebody had said to the staff, players and fans of this football club that we would be one point off the playoffs with three games to go, two of which are at home, we would have bitten their hand off."With parachute payments to relegated clubs from the top-flight having been agreed this week, a £60m minimum jackpot is on offer to those who make it out of the Championship but, while the financial prize is lower, there is no less pressure on those at the foot of the division.
Barnsley's form since the turn of the year has given them a fighting chance of survival but a heavy defeat at home to Charlton on Saturday was followed by a last-gasp equaliser conceded to Derby in midweek.
“I’ve spoken to the players and I’m not going to have any victims round this place,” said manager David Flitcroft. “The fans surely aren’t giving us that tense feeling. The fans have been incredible.
“I just think it’s the players are feeling the pressure of the situation. There’s no doubt about it.”
Forest are second in the Championship's home form table with three wins and three draws from their last six games at the City Ground and will hopefully relish the return to their own patch.
The full head-to-head record of the two sides can be seen by clicking below.
http://www.nottinghamforest-mad.co.uk/head_to_head/next/vs/match/index.shtml
Source: Forest MAD
Source: FOOTYMAD
