Winger Philip Zinckernagel insists there is no danger of Nottingham Forest getting carried away by Sunday’s downing of Arsenal in the FA Cup.
The Reds “dream” of joining the Gunners at the top-flight table as they target a promotion push under Steve Cooper.
But they are well aware they need to continue to put in the hard graft week in, week out, if they are to get there.
And Zinckernagel says the very clear message since seeing off Mikel Arteta’s side is that the team must back that up with a result against Millwall, in the Championship, on Saturday.
“It’s easier with the coaching staff we have here. They are pretty good at keeping our feet on the ground and not thinking we are superstars because we beat Arsenal,” said the Dane.
“It’s been really hard work this week.
“We’re not letting anything go to our head, thinking, ‘okay, we beat Arsenal, so we’re going to beat everyone’. We know it’s hard work.
“The Championship is very difficult. Sometimes it’s more difficult than playing Premier League teams because it’s less tactical and more physical - especially Millwall.
“It’s going to be a good test for us, and a very different type of game to what we just had.”
Forest have gone from propping up the division to within touching distance of the play-off spots since Cooper took charge.
They have been bolstered by the addition of three signings so far this month, as the club looks to ensure the squad has sufficient strength in depth.
The head coach spoke at the full-time whistle on Sunday about how he hoped coming out on top against Premier League opposition would give his team an added injection of belief.
Zinckernagel says everyone at the City Ground is aiming high, but they are keen to guard against complacency as they head to The Den.
“Everyone is dreaming about the Premier League, but we’ve still got to keep our feet on the ground and work hard every day,” said the Watford loanee.
“Sometimes it might be easier to play in those kind of cup games, where you’re on it and you play the big teams, because it’s special. But it’s all about being there when you play Millwall or another team away.
“You have to be there for the less exciting games and get three points.
“We have been quite good away this season.
“I played at Millwall last season, but without fans, so it wasn’t the same.
“I’ve been told many times what the atmosphere is like there. Last season it was spoken about as well, but I didn’t get to experience it.”
