Meet the opposition | Nottingham Forest
As Swansea City prepare to face off with Nottingham Forest, we take a closer look at the club from the East Midlands.
What’s their story?
Nottingham Forest are currently contesting their 12th successive season in the Championship.
The club has a rich history, winning the First Division title in 1977-78 under manager Brian Clough, who also led Forest to memorable European Cup triumphs in successive seasons.
The club has not featured in the Premier League since relegation in 1999 and have spent all bar three of the intervening series in the second tier.
The closest they have come to a top-flight return was in 2011, falling just short as the Swans beat them in the Championship play-offs. Their best finish since was eighth in 2013.
They have a stacked trophy cabinet, with four League Cups and two FA Cups to their name in addition to those famous league and European triumphs.
How’s their form?
Solid. The Reds have lost just once in all competition this season, and that came back against West Brom on the opening weekend.
They have since picked up wins over Birmingham and Fulham, as well as draws against Leeds, Charlton and Preston.
They have also seen off Fleetwood and Derby in the Carabao Cup to set up a third-round tie at Arsenal later this month.
Forest also finished last season strongly, with three straight wins as they finished ninth, one place ahead of the Swans.
Who’s the boss?
Sabri Lamouchi. The Frenchman took over at the City Ground in the summer following the departure of Martin O’Neill and has made a bright start in his new role.
He won 12 caps for France during his playing career, making the squad for Euro 96 but being cut from the final squad for Les Bleus’ World Cup success two years later.
The midfielder featured for the likes of Auxerre, Monaco, Parma, Inter Milan and Marseille during a 19-year playing career, before moving into management in 2012, when he took over as Ivory Coast boss.
He guided them to the 2014 World Cup, but left his post following their group-stage exit.
He moved on to Qatari club El Jaish, but returned to Europe with Rennes in 2017, and he went on to lead them to fifth place and Europa League qualification in Ligue 1.
He left them in December 2018, before sealing his move to English football with Forest.
Who are the key men?
Experienced striker Lewis Grabban has long been a reliable goalscorer and he already has four to his name this term.
Winger Albert Adomah has made a fine start to life on the banks of the River Trent following his move from Aston Villa over the summer.
He has three goals and an assist to his name from his last four appearances and will hope to continue his fine form.
Sammy Ameobi and Carl Jenkinson have started well following their respective summer arrivals, while Ben Watson provides know-how and bite in midfield.
Getting Alfa Semedo on loan from Benfica was something of a coup for Forest, while the youth and experience combination of Michael Dawson and Joe Worrall have looked assured at the back.
