Three takeaways from Aitor Karanka’s press conference ahead of Forest v Birmingham

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Nottingham Forest will look to continue their unbeaten start to the 2018/19 campaign when Birmingham City arrive at the City Ground for this weekend’s televised Championship contest.

The Reds are yet to lose this season and showed great resolve to come back and earn a share of the spoils against Wigan Athletic last time out, whilst Saturday’s visitors are yet to earn all three points from a game this season.

After spending heavily this summer Forest are hopeful of being in the mix to secure promotion to the Premier League this season, although there is still work to be done for boss Aitor Karanka as he looks to blend his new recruits together as soon as possible.

Ahead of the Blues arriving on Trentside, Karanka gave his weekly press conference to the club’s official website and here is what The Boot Room learned from his comments…

Optimism is high

Forest didn’t play particularly well last week against Wigan at the DW Stadium and on another day, they might have been beaten comprehensively.

The Reds are showing a bit more fight these days though and their point in Greater Manchester offers hope that they are learning quickly how to earn points when not being at your level best.

The unbeaten start is great but Karanka knows that the team must continue to improve.

“I know what we have to do but we are optimistic as we are unbeaten, with six points on the table and we are playing at home.”

Birmingham won’t be underestimated

Although Garry Monk arrives at the City Ground looking to oversee a first win of the season for his team, it is safe to say that Forest incumbent Karanka won’t be expecting an easy game.

Birmingham were beaten 1-0 by Bolton Wanderers on Wednesday evening and their supporters will be desperately hoping to claim a morale-boosting victory at Forest on Saturday.

Forest’s Spanish boss knows the Championship inside-out, however, and he will be treating this game in typically professional fashion.

“It will be a tough game. They haven’t won yet but they are a good team with an experienced manager despite him being young.

“They lost on Wednesday and I can understand their frustration, so it will be a game that everybody will want to win.”

Forest boss will use his sizeable squad

According to the quotes from the club’s official website, Karanka dropped a broad hint that he might shuffle his pack for Saturday’s game, stating that he has the players to allow him to tailor his selection to match the opposition.

There was, however, a slight sense from the gaffer that he will always maintain focus on his side and picking the very best starting eleven to win each game.

The Reds now have a squad that is the envy of lots of Championship clubs and whatever team Karanka chooses against Birmingham, the chances are it will be a strong one.

One Forest change will be enforced upon the boss with news that Adlene Guedioura will miss out having fractured his cheekbone in last week’s game at Wigan.

“I need to think about ourselves and think about who the best players will be to play on Saturday. I need to think about the opponent a little bit, but not a lot as I prefer to think about us, but you need to look at the opponent.”