Sabri Lamouchi is gearing up for his first competitive match as Nottingham Forest manager this weekend.
The Reds face fellow promotion hopefuls West Bromwich Albion at the City Ground tomorrow in the late kick-off. The Baggies will provide an instant test to the promotion credentials of Lamouchi’s men.
It’s fair to say that the club’s supporters don’t quite know what to expect this season. With a new manager and eight new signings to boot, it makes it very difficult to make any predictions.
Lamouchi will be fully aware of the high expectations Evangelos Marinakis has for this season. The Frenchman will be expected to have the Reds forging a serious challenge for promotion to the Premier League.
Having only previously managed Ivory Coast, El Jaish and Rennes, Lamouchi has had to do his research ahead of the start of the Championship season.
However, he’ll have also learnt a great deal about his side throughout pre-season. The Reds have faced tough opposition in the form of Olympiacos, Crystal Palace and Real Sociedad to name a few.
‘The worst league in the world’
Speaking to the Guardian ahead of this weekend’s game, Lamouchi has revealed the message he has been given about the division.
He said: “The old people that know football, they told me that you will enjoy (it) but it is the worst league in the world – the most difficult, the most intense, but you will take pleasure.
“They said: ‘Just be ready and not tired.’
“The club has given me a big opportunity, they trust me and when people trust you, you just want to give back this confidence.”
There’s no doubt that the Reds face a very tough start to the season. Once they’ve played the Baggies, they face a daunting trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United.
However, they should have a clearer idea of what’s achievable this season after those two games. If they can come out of the opening two games with a positive return, then it provides a springboard for the season.
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