Having the best bench in the Championship can bolster Nottingham Forest's promotion push, says Henri Lansbury
HAVING the best – and most motivated – bench in the Championship can be the ace up Nottingham Forest's sleeve as they look to secure a play-off place.
That was the message today from Henri Lansbury, who believes few of the Reds' rivals can match the strength in depth they possess.
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Henri Lansbury
Substitutes Dexter Blackstock, Billy Sharp and Lewis McGugan all played a part in the winning goal at Hull City, as Forest enhanced their promotion chances with a sixth straight victory.
Guy Moussi, Jonathan Greening, Greg Halford and Sam Hutchinson have also been on the bench in recent weeks.
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While Daniel Ayala and Marcus Tudgay are still to return from injury, which gives Forest a host of options.
But Lansbury believes it is the depth of character, along with the depth of quality, in the Forest squad, which has proved key.
"It is a squad game and the lads are responding when they come off the bench," he said.
"There cannot be many teams in the Championship with a bench like that. But it is the work-rate and spirit that gets us to where we are. That unity is important.
"They are putting the effort in on the training ground as well and it is paying off."
McGugan, in particular, has earned a super-sub tag, netting three goals in three games after coming off the bench.
"Nobody complains when they are not in the starting XI, they just get on with it and try to prove a point when they do come on," said Lansbury.
"Look at Lewis, he comes on a produces the performances.
"He does not sulk, he just comes on and scores goals. He has his head up and he does well for us.
"The fact that all three players came off the bench and played a part in the goal (at Hull) tells you everything you need to know really. There is nobody sulking; we all just want to play our part for the team."
Manager Davies admits having options to bring on is an important factor in any promotion push.
And he admits it was good to see three substitutes have such an impact at Hull.
"Sometimes it works for you, sometimes it doesn't. Against Wolves, we put on Halford and it worked brilliantly for us," he said.
"This week we brought on McGugan, Sharp and Dexter and it worked for us again. That is the impact that we want from subs."
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by KingBilly
Friday, March 22 2013, 5:35PM
“Derkaiser - I replied a short while ago, but I don't know where my message went...it certainly hasn't been censored, (it didn't contain any angry-isms), so I assume it will pop up at some point after this re-write. So this is just a different version until it appears.
I agree that it will be a tasty game and I'll bring a side dish of fava beans to watch the slaughter of the lambs dressed as foxes...especially as the only thing that hasn't improved so far this season is the match day catering at City Ground!
A-Block is bouncing since Billy has returned and I'm looking forward to an electric atmosphere to celebrate either confirmed play-offs, or hopefully automatic promotion...I reckon the away fans will be so shell-shocked watching their team bottle it, that even the Upper and Lower Library will make more noise than them!
UltraForest - good BBC film clip of Fawaz. Just shows how sensitive the man is and how much it must have hurt after being judged by a small section of fans after 6 months, (I can understand if he was still making the same mistakes after 6 years in the Championship), but at least his relationship with the players and Billy appears to be great. That's all that matters - team, manager and owners are together as one.
Hopefully if all Forest fans will come together now, then it makes all the pain over the last two years worth it in the end.
M15 - are you ready to have a group hug with me, Parva, Huey and whoever else you don't like when we get promoted? Stretching out an olive branch so we can all enjoy the feel good factor..”
by M15t3rT
Friday, March 22 2013, 4:57PM
“Quick glance through seeing my name mentioned by huey. I can tell he's missing me again.”
by ultraforest
Friday, March 22 2013, 4:33PM
“Billys interview in Kuwait
http://tinyurl.com/buny4ld
FTID”
by Skipthetruth
Friday, March 22 2013, 4:32PM
“Ultra. That's great stuff from fawaz, give us goose bumps, dreaming about a third star on the shirt and talk about rebuilding the stadium is all good, but the really interesting things for me ,were the comments about Billy getting everybody working harder which fawaz wanted ,and the explanation that when he took over, he gave everybody a chance which some didn't take.
No matter what people may say about the new owners, I for one am convinced exciting times are ahead for the famous team !”
by Craigwigan
Friday, March 22 2013, 4:28PM
“BENDIBUS NEWS UPDATE
LANSBURY CALF INJURY
OUT 2/4 WEEKS”
by ultraforest
Friday, March 22 2013, 2:08PM
“Something to keep us going on this no news day.
http://tinyurl.com/chc97ug
FTID”
by derkaiser
Friday, March 22 2013, 1:52PM
“KingBilly:
"...don't bother doing it on Leicester's site. We'll be knocking them out of the playoffs to finish in 2nd place on the last game of the season."
__________________________________________________
That would be just delicious!
That would also be the time to put out a fox hunt for outfoxedya2. With a vengeance...”
by KingBilly
Friday, March 22 2013, 12:27PM
“CraigWigan - hopefully we won't need to make a note of those dates or book our tickets on the bend-bus to London.
Maybe you should publish them on the fans' sites of Hull, Crystal Palace, Watford and Brighton...don't bother doing it on Leicester's site. We'll be knocking them out of the playoffs to finish in 2nd place on the last game of the season.”
by Henrik1968
Friday, March 22 2013, 12:23PM
“Just hate these international breaks... We always get a player injured and I'm bored. The Danish national team is poor, I need my Forest drug!!!
GO REDS FOREVER!!!”
by Craigwigan
Friday, March 22 2013, 12:05PM
“MORE BENDIBUS NEWS
PLAY OFF DATES IF REQUIRED
1ST LEG 9TH/10TH MAY
2ND LEG 13TH/16TH MAY
FINAL 27TH MAY
UP2 DATE BENDIBUS NEWS
LANSBURY NO NEWS”