Express & Star

West Brom v Nottingham Forest: Inside track on Forest

West Brom host Nottingham Forest in the Championship's early game this weekend as they look to maintain their six point lead atop the table.

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Nottingham Forest's Joe Lolley celebrates scoring his side's second goal of the gam (Tim Goode/PA Wire)

We spoke to Matt Davies from the Nottingham Post and host of Garibaldi Red to get a better look at Albion's opponents.

Who has been Forests most impressive player this season?

Lewis Grabban is the man that has got the goals and without him they look a different side, as demonstrated against Charlton on Tuesday night. Samba Sow also missed that game and Forest are a much better side when he plays.

He's strong, rangey and dominates midfield. Joe Worrall has been excellent, an ever present who signed a new contract this week and Matty Cash, who also signed a new contract recently, has been courted by West Ham and AC Milan, showing how well he has played.

Finally, Brice Samba has barely put a foot wrong in goal. Forest's success has really been built on being collectively strong, rather than being carried by one man.

Lewis Grabban of Nottingham Forest and Craig Dawson of West Bromwich Albion (AMA)

Ambition must be to get promoted this season. Do you think with the likes of Leeds dropping off, Forest now have a better chance, whereas previously it may have seemed out of reach?

Not necessarily as the league is so hard to get out of. As leaders falter Fulham rise, so it's more about trying to put a run together.

What do you make of the Championship as a whole this season, some have said that the quality isn't as high this year, do you agree?

Yes. In years gone by there have been teams which blow everyone out of the water like Wolves when they went up and a few others before that. Albion look like the only team that can do that this season.

Leeds seem to be struggling under Bielsa's intense style of play over a 46 game season, Fulham have flaws and Forest are prone to failing to beat the lesser teams when they sit in. Forest can't break defensive teams down easily.

What do make of WBA? Do you think they'll get promoted?

Yes. They would be the team I'd put my house on if I had to. Like I said, Leeds have problems and no one else seems capable of going toe to toe with Albion over a long season.

They've got good players like Austin, Livermore, Sawyers and Phillips who would walk into any other side in the league pretty much. Bilic is also a top manager.

Romaine Sawyers of West Bromwich Albion applauds the West Bromwich Albion Fans at the end of the match (AMA)

How do you expect Forest to line up?

Samba; Cash, Figueiredo, Worrall, Ribeiro; Sow, Watson; Lolley, Silva, Ameobi; Walker

There are doubts over Sow, Ameobi and Grabban. If Grabban is fit, which sounds unlikely, then Walker will probably start.