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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Sarah Clapson

'Not been convincing' - The challenge Nottingham Forest can expect against Bristol City

Nottingham Forest will look to pick up where they left off, when they return from the international break on Saturday.

The Reds went into the two-week respite on the back of successive wins, and will hope to keep that run going when they make the trip to Bristol City this weekend.

Sabri Lamouchi’s men sit just above their opponents in the Championship table, in fifth place, with the teams separated only by goal difference.

Ahead of the game at Ashton Game, we got the lowdown on the Robins from Bristol Live’s City correspondent Gregor MacGregor.

How would you assess City's season so far? What have performances been like?

The performances have not been convincing for Bristol City, but they have been consistent. And results have been good.

Given the club's business in the summer and a high turnaround of key players, the Robins have done well and supporters are happy with how things are going.

The club has been vocal about trying to finish in the top six and so far that looks achievable.

It's just been two losses so far this season, and there are plenty of good statistics showing City's progress this campaign.

Bristol City manager Lee Johnson (PA)

Do you think a top six finish is a real possibility this time?

It's a possibility, for sure, given how the team is performing.

To have played a third of the season and missing plenty of key players yet only lose twice so far shows the good work that the coaching staff are doing.

The Robins have recently had several important players return from injury - Tomas Kalas, Adam Nagy and now Korey Smith - and will get Famara Diedhiou back for this weekend after his three-match ban, so things are looking up players-wise.

Has anything changed much this season?

Lee Johnson is now the seventh longest-serving boss in England's four leagues, and there have been a few backroom changes (new fitness coach Patrick Orme and addition of KAliffa Cisses to the backroom staff).

But chiefly it's been on the playing side, where good prospect Lloyd Kelly was sold to Bournemouth and key defender Adam Webster joined Brighton, that changes have been made.

How will they approach Saturday's game and who will Forest need to watch out for?

The Robins will obviously attack but their home form has not matched their away performances over the last 18 months or so.

Niclas Eliasson of Bristol City competes with Paddy McNair of Middlesbrough (Getty Images)

Fans and myself would like to see a quicker start made and more high-tempo attacking early on at Ashton Gate.

Andi Weimann, a former Derby striker of course, is City's top scorer and the man who leads the press, working furiously as he does.

Weimann will need careful marshalling, and he obviously netted last season on his debut in this same fixture.

City also have history on their side, winning six of the last nine league meetings against Forest.

Niclas Eliasson has the equal most assists this season and, if he plays, could be a match-winner for the home side.

Likely line-up?

Should be: Bentley; Hunt, Williams, Moore, Rowe; Eliasson, Brownhill, Nagy, O'Dowda; Weimann, Diedhiou

What's your score prediction?

2-1; though City are unconvincing at home and we could see Forest grabbing something.

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