Brentford vs Nottingham Forest
Tuesday 16 August Griffin Park Sky Bet Championship Kick-off: 7.45pm
The Season So Far
Despite a new man at the helm, it appears that the same inconsistencies remain at The City Ground after a mixed start to the new campaign for Forest. Philippe Montanier took charge in June and immediately set about moulding his squad for the season with seven players arriving and five departing. Apostolos Vellios [Iraklis], Armand Traore [QPR], Damien Perqus [Toronto], Thomas Lam [PEC Zwolle], and Stephen Henderson [Charlton Athletic] all joined on a permanent basis, Vellios the only one signed for a fee, while Hildeberto [Benfica B] and Patjim Kasami [Olympiacos] agreed loan deals at The City Ground. In terms of those departing, Robert Tesche and Kelvin Wilson joined fellow Sky Bet Championship sides Birmingham City and Rotherham United respectively while Dorus De Vries headed north of the border to Celtic. Andy Reid decided to hang up his boots after a 15 year playing career while former Brentford youngster Josh Rees was released.
Montanier has used 21 players in Forest's opening two league matches which have seen ten goals. Star striker Britt Assombalonga netted twice in a 4-3 opening day victory at home to Burton Albion, Thomas Lam and Oliver Burke grabbing the others, before last season's beaten Play-Off semi-finalists Brighton and Hove Albion got the better of Forest with a 3-0 win on Saturday. Only Blackburn Rovers have conceded more than Forest in the league so far and no team in the top four divisions has been involved in more league goals than The Red this campaign.
The Gaffer
Philippe Montanier took over at The City Ground in late June after leaving Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais in January. A goalkeeper during his playing days, Montanier made more than 300 appearances in his native France for Caen, Nantes, Toulouse, Gueugnon, and Saint-Etienne during the late 1980s and 1990s.
He made his name in management during a five year spell with US Boulogne, taking the club from the Championnat National to Ligue 1, for the first time in their history, in three seasons. After achieving promotion to Ligue 1, Montanier left for Valenciennes where he spent two years before a move to Spanish side Real Sociedad. Real ended his first season in charge in 12th but that was followed up by a fourth place finish and Champions League qualification in 2012/13. However, that wasn't enough to see him stay at the Anoeta as he joined Stade Rennais at the end of his contract that summer. During his three years in Brittany he led Rennais to the Coupe de France final in 2014 and a hat-trick of top 12 finishes.
The Match Officials
Referee: Tim Robinson Assistant Referees: Ian Cooper and Andrew Fox Fourth Official: James Linington
Ticket news
Tickets are on sale to Previous Purchasers for tonight's match until kick-off from the Ticket Office and online.
The Last Meeting
2 April 2016, Sky Bet Championship - Nottingham Forest 0 Brentford 3 Brentford: Button; Colin, Dean, Barbet, Bidwell; McCormack, Yennaris; Woods, Judge, Saunders; Rodriguez Second-half goals from Lasse Vibe, Nico Yennaris, and Sergi Canos secure the points at The City Ground.
Head to Head
Brentford wins: 8 Draws: 8 Forest wins: 9
Match Betting
Brentford 27/20 Forest 41/20 Draw 12/5 Join Club Sponsors 888sport today and get odds of 8/1 on a Brentford victory this evening!
Match Coverage
You can hear live match commentary on Bees Player from 7.15pm tonight, with Mark Burridge and Marcus Gayle.
There will be live match updates on Twitter from 6.30pm tonight.