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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Bruna Reis

'For their sake' - Nottingham Forest's play-off and automatic promotion chances assessed

Former Nottingham Forest striker Glenn Murray and hugely-experienced manager Neil Warnock have discussed the Reds' chances of winning promotion to the Premier League.

Forest returned to winning ways against West Bromwich Albion on Easter Monday after losing to promotion rivals Luton Town three days earlier. Steve Cooper's side are now back on track after reinforcing their position in the Championship top five.

With five games remaining, the Reds are on course to seal a play-off place and remain an outline chance to overhaul Bournemouth to claim the second automating promotion place behind champions-elect Fulham.

Up next for Forest are Peterborough United and Fulham away, followed by Swansea at the City Ground before a potentially huge clash at Bournemouth. They finish with a final-day trip to Hull City.

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Murray believes Forest still have a chance of sealing a second-place finish if they can continue the momentum they have shown since Cooper took over as manager at the City Ground. "Without doubt," said Murray on Sky Sports after Forest's 4-0 rout of West Brom.

"The game against Bournemouth, that's going to go a long way to see who goes up automatically. And momentum is key. You need that momentum as much as possible. They've had momentum for a long time, I just hope for their sake they can keep it going for another four to five weeks."

Warnock, with a record eight successive promotions on his managerial CV, said Forest had no "fear" going in to their final few games and was certain they would qualify for the play-offs.

He explained: "I think they've cemented their place. It looks now that four teams - Sheffield United [in sixth] and the three below them - are all fighting for one position."

And assessing Forest's chances in the play-offs, Warnock added: "They're a young squad, they're full of it. I don't think there's any fear with them. I think a lot will depend on who they play. Let's be fair, Luton, I think they've done fantastic to be in there.

"Huddersfield, I wouldn't have given them a chance at the start of the season, so it just shows. You can never be sure. Well done to them two. Forest are up there and then whoever comes in, anybody can go up this year.

"I can't see anybody catching Bournemouth, but I don't think Bournemouth are playing well really. I saw their game against Middlesbrough at the weekend and I thought they were really poor, but I think they'll just limp over the line and then leave the others to battle it out."

Can you see Forest finishing above Bournemouth this season? Have your say in the comment section below...

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