Although Nottingham-born Julian Bennett began his career at youth level with Forest, he left the City Ground at the age of 14 and made his name at Walsall before returning to his hometown club in the 2005-06 season. The 23-year-old's wholehearted displays have seen him establish himself as a cult hero amongst fans in the red and white half of Nottingham and last Sunday the young full back was named in the League One Team of the Season at the PFA awards. Forest still have a chance of automatic promotion going into the last match of the campaign on Saturday and givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with Bennett to get his thoughts on an exciting end to the season.
Q:YOU MUST BE PROUD AFTER BEING NAMED IN THE LEAGUE ONE TEAM OF THE YEAR?
A:Yes, I'm proud to be voted in this team because it's a big thing to be recognised by the players you come up against each week in League One. But the main thing on my agenda this season is promotion to the Championship with Nottingham Forest.
Q:YOU MUST BE DELIGHTED WITH HOW THINGS HAVE GONE FOR YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL?
A:Yes, on a personal level I've been very pleased but it's a team game and I've said before the number one goal is to get promotion. If we can manager to do that I'll be more than happy.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE LEEDS UNITED SITUATION?
A:To be honest all that is out of our hands and we have to concentrate on taking care of our own results. We've got a big game at the weekend and we have to win that and then we'll take things from there. In terms of Leeds, what will be, will be.
Q:BUT THERE'S STILL A CHANCE OF AUTOMATIC PROMOTION FOR FOREST?
A:Yes definitely, we're a point behind Doncaster with a better goal difference. We've got a home game against Yeovil on Saturday and Doncaster have a difficult trip to Cheltenham, because they are fighting to avoid relegation. All we can do is concentrate on ourselves and do the business. Hopefully things will go our way and we'll get automatic promotion.
Q:IF YOU DO GO DOWN THE PLAY-OFF ROUTE, DO YOU HAVE ANY PREFERENCES AS TO WHICH SIDE YOU COME UP AGAINST?
A:To be honest a few months ago we thought the play-offs would be the most likely route to promotion but our recent form has given us a chance of finishing in the top two. But if we do go into the play-offs we've got no reason to be scared of anyone – whoever we play it's going to be tough for them.
Q:WHAT WOULD IT MEAN TO YOU TO PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL?
A:Obviously every player wants to play at the highest level he can and I'm no different. It would be a challenge but one I would look forward to. May main aim is to get to the Championship with my home-town team and that's all I'm focussing on at the moment.
Q:AND BEING AT THE PFA DINNER TO SEE THE LIKES OF CRISTIANO RONALDO AND CESC FABREGAS BEING HONOURED, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RUB SHOULDERS WITH THOSE KIND OF PLAYERS IN THE PREMIERSHIP ONE DAY?
A:Yes, they are the top guys in the game and to play against players of that calibre is the aim and what everyone strives for. Hopefully one day I'll get my opportunity to do that with Forest.
