Let’s face it, tonight’s Premier League match for Nottingham Forest at Leeds United, is probably the ‘next’ biggest game of the season so far. The Reds haven’t won in seven, since last beating Leeds in fact, where a Brennan Johnson goal (who else) at the City Ground in early February, was enough to cost Jesse Marsch his job.

Since then, Leeds have appointed Javi Gracia in charge of coaching themselves up the table, it’s not gone hugely to plan and the Peacocks are still below Forest, but the gap has narrowed, the Reds falling from thirteenth in recent weeks to sixteenth as we stand, a win for Leeds tonight, will take them above Forest who are now just a point above the drop zone.

One things for sure, win or lose tonight, and nothing will be decided for certain, ten games remain of the Premier League season and they’ll be a lot more twists and turns to come, but if Forest do get three points it will be a much needed bit of breathing space from those below them, if not, well danger and uncertainty continues to jolt the nerves of Reds fans.

In Cooper we trust? Well not so in recent weeks? The much-loved Manager is believed to be under pressure by a hawk like watching Evangelos Marinakis, waiting impatiently for slip ups from his double sized sofa in the Main Stand, nerved himself, perhaps by recent sackings at Leicester City and Chelsea, thinking like a Football Owner should, his two options remain, are simply, stick, or twist.

Despite some mistakes made by Cooper though, there’s an overriding feeling from the City Ground faithful that he, and only he, is the right man for the job, anything else and it can only end up with one outcome, a broken fan base and more misery Trent side.

With that in mind, regardless of tonight, Cooper has to stay, but it’s how the Manager himself, manages the game, which is where I’ll be looking. Hoping for a more positive tactical approach, his substitutions in recent matches have been questionable, understandable due the stakes on the line for Forest when defending leads, but they haven’t paid off, often too negative, I would like to see the old positivity in those tweaks brought back. The best form of attack for Nottingham Forest after all, is counter-attack, as their goals against column (the second worst in the division) will tell you they can’t defend.

Despite Cooper taking the brunt of the criticism no thanks to his selections, even he can’t legislate for errors that have cost Forest late on. No tactic in the world can defend the arm raised by Moussa Niakhate to concede a penalty and cost the Reds a point at home to Newcastle, equally how do you legislate for the poor header by Felipe that led to Daniel Podence eventually scoring for Wolves at the weekend, it’s these occurrences, too often this season, that could be scrutinised come May, as the moments that cost Forest all too frequently.

We’ll be hoping tonight, those mistakes are irradiated, and with plenty to be positive about, Forest are still fighting for survival and showing signs that they certainly have the quality to stay up. Felipe and Niakhate have, in recent weeks forged a formidable centre half pairing, which in front of the world-class Keylor Navas, can only get better, the midfield at the weekend brought far more legs and energy than in recent performances, Danilo and Mangala still have a lot to prove, but they still have plenty of potential to become international quality footballers and Premier League main stays, hopefully with Forest. That leads us to forward positions where despite blowing hot and cold, Emmanuel Dennis does have the ability score goals when it matters, Morgan Gibbs-White is proving an invaluable outlet and frankly the one true quality user of possession the side has in the final third, when Brennan Johnson is set free, expect fireworks from the fastest footballer in the division. He’s the one ‘all’ opposition defenders will be weary about.

Good news is that Taiwo Awoniyi and Cheikhou Kouyate have both returned, from injury for the business end of the season and could play a part tonight (don’t be surprised if Kouyate is asked to start), whilst Leeds United will be without Tyler Adams and Wilfried Gnonto, they may opt for two attackers tonight, with recalls for Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford, as they desperately search the goals to keep them afloat.

A huge match in West Yorkshire, one we’ll be hoping Forest can win, a point will do, whilst a loss, at this stage of the season, is already an unbearable thought that has fans quaking further trembles of uncertainty. Nobody said it would be easy… The trust now lies with the players and staff to come up with the goods.

Probable line-ups

Leeds United: Meslier, Ayling, Koch, Struijk, Firpo, Kristensen, Roca, Harrison, Sinestra, Rodrigo, Bamford.

Nottingham Forest: Navas, Williams, Felipe, Niakhate, Lodi, Mangala, Freuler, Danilo, Johnson, Gibbs-White, Dennis.

Venue: Elland Road, 7:45pm Kick Off.

*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).

*Main image @NFFC Moussa Niakhate has made a solid return since injury.