Andy Hinchcliffe says Nottingham Forest are 'not as good' as Leeds, West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Brentford - but it has still been a magnificent season.
The pundit, speaking on the Sky Sports EFL podcast, is confident the Reds will make the top six, but automatic promotion is out of reach after defeat to Millwall on Friday night.
"Looking at Forest's season and comparing them to Leeds, West Brom, Brentford and the other teams expected to challenge, I never felt they had the balance quite right," Hinchcliffe said.
"Defensively they're very strong. There was that reliance on Lolley and Grabban to get the goals though.
"There wasn't that balance other teams have. That's why I always felt they would fall away.
"After that Leeds game I said maybe I was wrong, but the next game they made a lot of changes against Charlton and lost.
"They're where they deserve to be, which is in the top six but they're not as good as Leeds, West Brom, Fulham and Brentford."
