It was the perfect start to the New Year for Nottingham Forest and head coach Sabri Lamouchi, as they made it three straight wins by seeing off Blackburn Rovers at the City Ground.
A Joe Lolley curler and a brace from Lewis Grabban ensured the Reds kicked off 2020 with a 3-2 success which saw them move fourth in the Championship ahead of the break for FA Cup games this weekend, when they'll come up against Frank Lampard and Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
After the win over Rovers, much of the talk post-match was about ins and outs after the transfer window flung open, and here, boss Lamouchi addresses the latest...
You must be pleased with the return to form, Sabri?
“Nine points, three victories - we finished last year in the best way and we started the new year in the best way.
“I can’t ask for more.
“We started the game in a good way. We played so well and created some chances, then we scored.
“The mistake after 2-0 was to think the game could be more easy and that we could score three, four or five goals.
“We gave them in the game.
“It was just a mistake.
“After that, we started to be a little bit panicked and the possession was not good.
“But during the break we adjusted two or three things and we started the second half in a good way.
“It was a fantastic goal from Grabban and the delivery from Sammy was lovely.
“With two goals up, we had the possibility to control the game.
“We need more possession. But the players fought until the end and they have worked hard with three games in one week."
Nine points from nine, that's a fine return...
“It has been very busy with a lot of games.
“Of course they are very tired, but they deserved this victory.
“For our fans, to start the new year with a victory is very positive.”
What's the latest with Chema's injury which forced him off in the first half?
“The last game against Wigan, in the last 10 minutes he complained about a pain.
“He started, but after half an hour it was much better to change it.
“We changed it and Robbo did the job.”
Is there an update on Yuri Ribeiro?
“He should be back for the next game.”
Will Aro Muric and Rafa Mir return to their parent clubs?
“Probably, yes.
“We need to decide with the club."
Now the transfer window is open, are you close to anything new?
“But everything is under control from the club and they know exactly what I want and what we need. They are working hard for that.”
“Until now, we have signed nobody. I am waiting like you.
“On a serious note, of course we need players with quality to help this team, to improve us, to help us stay up there and to help us fight until the end for our goals.
“It is better for us if it happens early, because we have a lot of games in January.
"We have Chelsea (in the FA Cup on Sunday), Reading twice, Brentford and Luton - a lot of games and a lot of points available.”
