Nottingham Forest are in desperate need of a win as they travel to Loftus Road on Saturday to face Queens Park Rangers.
Over the last ten league games, Forest sit bottom of the Championship on form – gaining just six points, scoring three goals and conceding 13.
But Aitor Karanka’s Reds gave a much-improved second-half display in their 1-1 draw against Reading on Tuesday at the City Ground – a match in which they scored their first league goal at home since December 9, 2017.
Despite an uninspiring first-half performance, Karanka saw the positives in the result and said he had been “waiting to hear” the encouraging atmosphere at the City Ground.
He told iFollow Forest: “My first three home games have been a nightmare but tonight I finally got to experience the incredible atmosphere here and I was delighted with how the crowd got right behind the players.
“All we had to do after half-time was get the basics right.
“It wasn’t about tactics or formations, it was about getting into the faces of the opposition and being confident on the ball and in the second half we certainly did that.”
The Rs lost at Sheffield United 2-1 on Tuesday and will be looking to bounce back with a win at Loftus Road.
Ian Holloway’s QPR sit 15th in the Championship table – just two points above Forest.
In a key clash, both sides will be aiming to gain an advantage and climb up the table.
Forest will be desperate to break their winless run stretching for five games and build on the positive Reading display.
Over the last 10 games, QPR have gained 13 points and sit 13th in the form table.
In the reverse fixture, Forest arguably produced their most impressive display of the season under previous manager Mark Warbuton in a 4-0 victory at The City Ground.
The Reds have conceded the joint-third most league goals this season and will be hoping their 10 new arrivals in January and February will begin to solidify as they become more familiar in Karanka’s new-look side.
