Simon Jordan says Nottingham Forest “will lose” the Championship play-off final against Huddersfield Town if they don’t play “far better” than they did in their semi-final second leg against Sheffield United.
The Reds lost 2-1 to the Blades in the semi-final second leg before winning a penalty shootout to book their place at Wembley, while Huddersfield edged past Luton Town to reach the final.
Trevor Sinclair is backing Steve Cooper’s side to beat the Terriers and make their long-awaited return to the Premier League, but Jordan disagreed with him in a talkSPORT debate.
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“If you look at the duration of the season, I think Nottingham Forest, since Steve Cooper came in, for me they’ve been the best team in the Championship to watch,” said Sinclair.
“The wingers, the wing-backs, the shape, the performance of all the players, and they’ve got a real identity.
“I still feel they’ll go to Wembley and it’s not going to be easy against Huddersfield because they’ve done exceptionally well, but I do feel that Nottingham Forest will get promotion and be back in the Premier League.”
Jordan replied: “Huddersfield are in this play-off final through merit and are a very good side and it will be a very difficult game.”
Asked for his final prediction, Sinclair backed Forest, saying: “I’ve seen them batter Arsenal and Leicester City in the FA Cup this season. I was there commentating and I was so impressed with the way they went about their business.
“I think Forest fresh are the best team apart from the top two in the Championship this season and will get the job done.”
But Jordan said: “Huddersfield have beaten Nottingham Forest this season, so Huddersfield’s record against Nottingham Forest is not bad.
“This is not a given and Nottingham Forest, if they play anything vaguely resembling like they played in the semi-final, they will lose this final. They have to be playing far better than they did in the second leg.”
Huddersfield did indeed beat Forest at the City Ground, but the Reds dominated the game with 23 shots on goal to Huddersfield's nine. Forest also beat the Terriers twice this season, first under then caretaker Steven Reid and then in the FA Cup.
