It’s crunch time for Nottingham Forest as they head to Sheffield United for their play-off semi-final first leg on Saturday.
With the regular campaign put to bed with a 1-1 draw at Hull City at the weekend, Steve Cooper’s side turn their attention to trying to navigate a way through the end-of-season mini-tournament. The Blades stand in their way of a trip to Wembley and potential promotion to the Premier League.
Ahead of the clash at Bramall Lane, Reds reporter Sarah Clapson answered fans’ questions in a live Q&A on our Forest Facebook page. Here’s how it panned out.
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Q: If we can get a draw away, then not lose at home…
A: Forest will definitely go to Bramall Lane looking to get a win, because that’s the approach Steve Cooper takes for every game. He doesn’t go into matches playing for a draw. He’ll want to win.
But a draw from the first leg would certainly be a very good result, because it’s not going to be an easy tie, by any means. Sheffield United are going to be really, really tough over two legs.
Just like the City Ground will be for the second leg, Bramall Lane will be rocking on Saturday. So Forest will have to deal with that; try to frustrate the Blades fans and then make home advantage count next Tuesday.
Forest should take confidence from the league game in Sheffield a couple of months ago. They did well that night, and there was disappointment that they only came away with a point - even though that needed a last-minute goal from Ryan Yates. They’ve also picked up some excellent results on the road this season, so they’ve shown they can do it.
United will be boosted by their win over Fulham at the weekend. But just like you can’t read too much into Forest’s draw at Hull, I’m not sure how much you can read into that one, either. Fulham were already on the beach, by the sounds of things.
It’ll give the Blades a lift, but it doesn’t always mean that will translate into results and performances. Steve Cooper has mentioned several times that these play-offs games are unique, so he clearly feels you can’t judge a team’s form too much.
Being in good form can count for a lot or it can count for nothing. You can go into the play-offs on the back of five wins and still not get promoted. And you can limp over the line to get into the top six but win when you need to. It’s all about who performs better on the day.
Having the second leg at home could make a real difference. Forest have to make sure they don’t give themselves too much to do going into it, that will be key.
Q: Is Keinan Davis going to be available for the play-offs?
A: It would be a great boost if he is, and a nice surprise. I’m not sure I’d be putting my money on it at the moment, but you never know.
He is making good progress, and it has been a few weeks now since he picked up the injury. But the timeline was always going to be tight - and I don't think that's changed.
Cooper said last week that he wasn’t counting on having Davis or Max Lowe available for these upcoming games. He has been coy before, though, on whether the front man would be available for the play-offs.
If Davis does make an unexpected return for Saturday, it would be fantastic. The chances of him being back for the play-offs were always slim. But we have seen players make sooner than expected returns from injury before.
Q: It doesn’t matter who Forest play in the semi-finals, you have to play the best anyway. I’d sooner play Sheffield United over two legs.
A: That’s a good way of looking at the play-offs. If you want to get promoted, you have to beat the best teams.
Initially, I thought it would have been better to finish third and play Luton over two legs. But there’s no saying that would have been any easier. There would have been no guarantees Forest would get to the final if that had been their semi-final tie.
Luton are a horrible team to play against. They would have done their best to frustrate Forest, just like they did at Kenilworth Road.
Forest can’t worry too much about the opposition. That was something Cooper made clear even before Saturday’s round of fixtures - that they weren’t worried about who they would come up against.
The focus has to be on playing their own game, making sure they play to the best of their ability. That’s been the approach since Cooper came in. If they do that, they will have a great chance.
Whoever finishes in the play-off places deserves to be there. It would have been tough whoever the opponent.
Q: Do you think Max Lowe has played his last game for the Reds?
A: He wouldn’t have been able to play against Sheffield United if he had been fit. And if Forest do get through to the final, it would be a surprise if he is back for then.
He’s had a tough time with his injury and had a bit of a set-back. He is making progress, but there won’t be any risks taken, because it’s a similar injury to the one he had earlier in the season.
A lot of what happens in the summer will depend on what division Forest are in. But Lowe has made it very clear he would like to stay at the City Ground.
He’s clearly very happy at Forest and has been enjoying his time at the club, apart from when injured. Cooper thinks highly of him, too.
It’s a move I’d expect Forest to look into. He’d be a positive addition, for me, if a good deal can be done. He’s been reliable defensively and is decent getting forward. And he has settled in really well.
