Manager Mark Warburton has said his focus is firmly on the game ahead of his first return to former club Brentford this weekend.
The Nottingham Forest gaffer spent 18 months in charge at Griffin Park after stepping up from their Academy and he guided them to promotion from League One and into the Championship Play Offs before he departed for Rangers following changes to their management system and transfer operations.
This weekend sees him return for the first time since his departure and speaking to Get West London he said his focus would simply be the game and he was expecting a high quality match.
‘Brentford, without the owner’s backing and money, would not be where it is now. It’s fantastic to see Brentford in a healthy position. I’m very much looking forward to going back to Griffin Park for our first away game in front of what we know is a tremendous ground. It’s always been outstanding. We’re looking forward to bringing the atmosphere against a talented Brentford side and hopefully it’ll be a good game of football.’
With the departure of Britt Assombalonga, Warburton also told the Nottingham Post that he wasn’t planning on changing anything at the club to offset him leaving as he had faith in our strike force to get the goals this season.
‘It does not change things at all. We can change formation, but the style of play will never change. The philosophy of the game will never change. Britt is a loss in terms of his abilities as a striker and because he was a very good character around the place. But we have had Daryl come in as a proven goal scorer and our style of play will never change.’
Warburton also knew that the transfer fee would help ease concerns of a repeat of the embargo we suffered for Financial Fair Play issues.
‘I hope it will ease FFP concerns. It certainly helps. It was good business for the club and we said that a player would only leave Forest when it felt like a good deal – and it does. He was an expensive player and a talented player and that is obviously a loss. But we have gained great experience with Daryl and, whenever we played against Daryl, we saw the threat he posed. He is very strong in both boxes, his technique is very strong and he has international experience.’
Adding.
‘We are delighted with that capture and, with the likes of Barrie McKay and Jason Cummings – who was a top goal scorer in Scotland – we have threat and we have variety. We are pleased with the business we have done.’
