Strength in depth across the pitch makes Nottingham Forest a “complete team”, according to winger Joe Lolley.
The Reds take on Luton Town on Friday on the back of a stunning run of form which has propelled them to fourth in the table. But boss Steve Cooper must decide whether to change a winning team, having named the same starting XI for three games in a row amid five successive Championship victories.
Lolley is among those players pushing for a place in the line-up, along with the likes of Lewis Grabban and Sam Surridge - with that particular trio having impressed from off the bench against Blackpool, Coventry City and Birmingham City. The winger says that is a show of quality in the squad which distinguishes them from two years ago, when Forest were last fighting for promotion, only to fall at the final hurdle.
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Opposition view
Luton Town boss Nathan Jones says a quick turnaround for his team could prove “a hindrance” against Nottingham Forest on Friday.
The Reds have managed valuable time on the training ground this week ahead of their trip to Kenilworth Road, following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Birmingham City. But their next opponents have had a shorter preparation time for the lunchtime showdown.
The Hatters played on Monday night, losing by the same scoreline at Huddersfield Town to go a third game without a win. They are still right in the promotion mix, however, sitting a place and two points below Forest in the table.
The clash between the two sides will be shown live on Sky Sports. But, in addition to suffering a couple of injuries against the Terriers, Jones feels his team will go into the match at a disadvantage because of the fixture schedule.
'Explosive' talent
Steve Cooper says Aston Villa loanee Keinan Davis has become a "really important player for us", as Nottingham Forest battle for Premier League promotion.
The Reds are the only team in the Championship to have won their last five games. They will be keen to extend that record when they make the trip to Luton on Good Friday, and close the gap to three points to automatic promotion.
Davis made the loan move in the January transfer window after falling down the pecking order at Villa Park. In his 14 appearances for Cooper, he has been involved in 24% of Forest's goals, while also playing more than ever before, a total of 78% of minutes under a coach who is renowned to transforming young talents.
"Keinan had never really had a run of games in a first-team environment," Cooper told Sky Sports. "We had to get him fit and be careful because he is such an explosive player. He has grown as the weeks have gone by, starting consecutive games in a busy period.
'Powerful' voice
Head coach Steve Cooper believes encouraging his Nottingham Forest players to express their views can be a “powerful” tool in his team’s promotion push.
And midfielder Jack Colback is among those whose voice carries particular weight, because of the experience he can draw upon. Such know-how and nous could prove vital in the final weeks of the season.
Colback has gone from struggling to get a look-in under former boss Chris Hughton to being almost an ever-present under Cooper. His ability to fill in at left wing-back has been crucial as the Reds again find themselves without Max Lowe due to injury.
But it is not just the 32-year-old’s excellent performances in games which have impressed his manager. The ex-Newcastle United man, who has played in the top-flight before, also has a big presence off the pitch.
