Nottingham Forest cannot afford to stop looking over their shoulder in the battle for Championship survival just yet.
Boss Chris Hughton says he expects the table to be tight right through to the season’s run-in, meaning there can be no room for complacency.
The Reds are up to 16th after last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Bournemouth, but are still just five points above the relegation zone.
They have lost once in their last 11 league games and are unbeaten in four ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Swansea City.
Hughton feels there is cause for optimism as they build momentum, but has cautioned the situation can quickly change if Forest do not keep up their good work.
“It means we can’t relax,” he said. “You’ve got to make the most of the feel of the group, the confidence we’ve got and the squad we have.
“But when you are playing three games in a week, you know there’s a chance you can have a bad week - maybe even losing one and drawing a couple, which means two points from nine. That can happen to anybody.
“We still have to be very mindful that we have to pick up points, and mostly try to pick up more wins.”
Matches throughout the Football League and in the top-flight have been especially unpredictable this year, with the lack of crowds having an effect.
Hughton expects that to have an impact at both ends of the table, with his side eager to avoid being dragged back towards danger as they look to keep their positive form going at the Liberty Stadium.
“The stats say we’re on a good run,” he said. “The disappointing thing is normally that comes hand in hand with moving further up the table than what we have.
“You feel you’re on a good run and are picking up results, albeit not all wins, but you’re not getting the normal benefit that you would expect in the table.
“But there’s no doubt we have picked up good results, the momentum is good and the confidence is good.
“I think the table will be close right until the end, because of how this season is - because of covid and not having any supporters.
“Barnsley go to Brentford and win 2-0 - did we see that happening? If you had to bet on it, you’d probably say ‘no’. But because of the type of season it is, it’s not a shock.
“I think there will be lots of away victories, or at least more than in a normal season.”
