Dexter: Rivals should fear Forest

DEXTER Blackstock says a trip to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground should strike fear into all their Championship rivals – including Newcastle United.

The former Premiership giants will provide the Reds' first opposition following the international break.

But, while the striker admits Forest still need to improve their home form if they are to climb the table this season, he still believes a visit to Nottingham should be a daunting prospect.

"I look at every home game and we should be thinking that we have to win the game," said Blackstock, who remains Forest's top scorer with five goals.

"It doesn't make a difference to me whether it is against Newcastle, Barnsley or Scunthorpe – we should be looking to win.

"In this league, anyone can beat anyone.

"If people are coming to your home turf, you should be looking to take three points.

"We have to remember who we are – we are Nottingham Forest and people should be scared of coming here.

"We have a big crowd and a big stadium – everything about this club is massive.

"It is easy to get caught up in how big other clubs might be and by looking at the opposition – but we are Nottingham Forest and we should be letting people worry about us.

"We should be making teams worry about coming here and questioning whether they might go home with a point or not.

"We have to remember who we are, not worry about the opposition."

Blackstock believes Forest's results should be better than they have been at home.

But he says that is not down to poor performances.

"There is no hiding from the fact that our results at home have been disappointing," he said. "But our home performances have been good.

"We have not had what we deserved."

Blackstock is hoping to add to his tally of goals – but would be happier to see Forest climb the table than pursue personal glory after seeing the Reds secure three consecutive wins prior to the international break.

"It has been nice to get goals, it is always good to score goals," he said.

"But it is more about the team and how the team is getting on.

"It is not about personal glory, it is about the team winning promotion.

"We have quality throughout the strike force and when games are coming Saturday and Tuesday, it is demanding on the legs.

"And it is difficult to play back-to-back matches at the tempo we do, with the way that the manager wants us to play.

"I can see why the manager does rotate the team.

"You want to play in every game, that goes without saying.

"But if the manager chooses to rotate, so be it."