Nottingham Post's footballer writer on what Bolton fans can expect from Nottingham Forest this weekend
Ahead of Saturday’s game against Nottingham Forest at Macron Stadium, the Nottingham Post’s football writer Paul Taylor explains to bwfc.co.uk what Bolton fans can expect from Dougie Freedman’s side.
bwfc.co.uk: What are the aspirations for Nottingham Forest this season?
PT: One of the major aims is to continue streamlining the club’s finances and, more specifically, the wage bill, to ensure they emerge from their transfer embargo next summer. That would allow Dougie Freedman a little more freedom to shape the squad how he wants. If that can be achieved - and Freedman does believe they are on course - while still picking up enough good results to keep them in touch with the play-off places going into the final few months, most people would probably be fairly satisfied.
bwfc.co.uk: How has the transfer embargo impacted on the club’s summer transfer business?
PT: Given the restrictions, it feels as though Dougie Freedman has done a good job of things, in difficult circumstances. As well as Jamie Ward and Matt Mills, who have both settled into the side well already, Forest also snapped up Daniel Pinillos following his release by Cordoba in Spain. But the real success has perhaps come via the players Forest have moved on. Some difficult decisions have been made but, in the process, Forest have cut their wage bill hugely, while not weakening the squad too much in the process. Forest now have a compact squad, but one where there is still pretty decent competition for places.
bwfc.co.uk: Who’s the one to watch on Saturday afternoon?
PT: Michail Antonio scored 15 goals last season, as well as laying on numerous assists, and has picked up where he left off this season. Matt Mills already looks as though he will be an influential figure. He’s obviously a player who will be well known in these parts. He has not been handed the captain’s armband at Forest, but he does look like a leader in the back four.
bwfc.co.uk: And a prediction for the game?
PT: I’d expect it to be a closely fought game but, with players like Antonio, Ward, Chris Burke and Tyler Walker firing on all cylinders, there are goals in the side and Forest are more than capable of edging a narrow win.
Paul Taylor is on Twitter, @nottmtails.
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