Nottingham Forest face Brentford at the City Ground on Saturday in a vitally important Championship fixture for the Reds.
Martin O’Neill’s men must go on a positive run if they are to gatecrash the play-offs this season.
The Reds are currently five points adrift of Bristol City in sixth, having played a game more than the Robins.
Brentford will arrive in the East Midlands this weekend looking to continue some good form of their own.
The Bees comfortably despatched Barnet in the FA Cup in midweek and will relish the chance to go up against a side struggling for any consistency.
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Ahead of Saturday’s game, Seat Pitch assesses what Forest need to do in order to secure three vital points…
Find the way to goal
A problem that has reared its ugly head of late is Forest’s lack of goals.
The Reds have failed to score in seven of the last 10 fixtures and that simply needs to change quickly.
Forest looked toothless in attack last weekend at Birmingham City and the challenge for O’Neill will be to get the Reds’ attacking players firing.
Striker Daryl Murphy hasn’t scored in four games and a change in personnel might be required in attack this weekend.
Continue good form against quality
Despite not looking in great form of late, it is fair to say that the Reds have held their own against the top sides in the division.
Only Norwich and Bristol City in the top eight sides have beaten Forest this season.
The Reds have defeated Sheffield United and Leeds at home and Middlesbrough away ensuring little issue when it comes to gaining focus for the big games.
Brentford might be lower in the league than the Reds but they have simply paid the price for a slow start.
The Bees are a decent side and will still hold top-six ambitions of their own.
Keep a prolific Brentford at bay
Brentford arrive at the City Ground having scored three or more goals in five consecutive games since their existence as a Football League club.
Manager Thomas Frank took some time to get his feet under the table at Griffin Park but his team is looking sensational just now.
Neal Maupay has 17 goals to his name whilst Ollie Watkins has nine and five assists.
The Bees hold something of a hoodoo over the Reds too.
In the last nine fixtures between the two sides, Forest have won just once and that was back during the Reds’ League One days.