Sabri Lamouchi saw his Nottingham Forest side’s recent unbeaten run come to an end as they were beaten 5-0 in the Carabao Cup by Arsenal.
The Frenchman opted to make six changes to his starting line-up from the weekend. This made it very difficult for the Reds to compete at the Emirates Stadium, although they remained fully in the game until the second goal went in.
It’s clear to see why the Reds are prioritising the Championship this season. They are currently just two points off the top of the division. They return to action in just two days against Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
There’s no doubt that the Reds will be fancied by many to move top of the table before this weekend’s games kick-off.
The Potters are currently in a dismal run of form, which has seen them fail to win a single league game in the Championship this season. Having only managed to pick up two points, only Huddersfield Town sit below them in the table.
Pressure
Their misery was compounded last night as they were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by League Two side Crawley Town on penalties. The defeat has only increased pressure further on manager Nathan Jones.
According to reports, Stoke’s upcoming fixture against the Reds could be make-or-break for the Welshman. If Lamouchi’s side come away with all three points, it could be the end of his short reign at the club.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Jones blasted his players after making a number of changes to his starting line-up. He said: “That’s as bad a performance as I’ve had since I’ve been a manager.
“No commitment, desire. A few performances out there were a real eye-opener. We got out-battled and out-fought a bit.
“Whether they don’t want to play for me, or it was just playing poorly, you will have to ask Sherlock Holmes. I don’t know.”
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