Despite losing to Swindon at the weekend, Nottingham Forest are still on course for promotion back to the Championship which is a double reason to celebrate for Kris Commons. The midfielder has been named the PFA Fans' Player of the Month for December for League One after an excellent season at the heart of the Forest engine room. Commons left Stoke to move to the City Ground when Forest were on the fringe of the Championship play-offs but despite his own impressive form, he is now trying to guide Forest back to the second tier of English football. Stoke have leapt ahead of Forest in the race for the Premier League but Commons is happy with life on the River Trent as Colin Calderwood bids to bring the glory days back to a side that once ruled Europe. Commons is set to be presented with his award before this Saturday's crunch clash with Bristol Rovers and givemefootball's Ian Clarkson spoke exclusively to the Forest midfielder about life at the City Ground.
Q:WERE YOU PLEASED TO WIN THE AWARD?
A:I was quite surprised as I thought I have had better months than December but I did quite well. I was absolutely gobsmacked when I found out as some of the lads had seen it on Sky Sports News. To be honest, I didn't know too much about the award and the lads have been digging me out constantly since they found out I’d won it. They are sure there is a conspiracy theory and they think I rigged the votes! Seriously, I would like to say a big thank you to all the fans who voted for me as it is an honour to win this award.
Q:IS AUTOMATIC PROMOTION STILL THE MAIN AIM THIS SEASON?
A:Coming into the season, that was what we wanted. It is always nice to have a cup run but the main aim is to get into the Championship and we are trying to do that.
Q:WAS THERE A HANGOVER AFTER LOSING TO YEOVIL IN THE PLAY-OFF SEMI FINALS LAST SEASON?
A:It took us a while to get going after losing in the play-offs last season so I think you could say we had a bit of a hangover. We weren't playing badly but we weren't getting the results we needed. However, our first victory of the season was a massive turning point as the longer it goes on it does play on your mind and we have kicked on since then.
Q:IS LEAGUE ONE A DIFFICULT DIVISION TO GET OUT OF AS EXPECTATIONS ARE HIGH AT NOTTINGHAM FOREST?
A:There are some good sides in the league this year. Leeds are a real threat and Jermaine Beckford is a good striker whilst I would say Swansea are probably the best side we have played this year. I think February is make or break month for us as we play Leeds, Swansea and Carlisle and have to get results against them as they are in the promotion shake up with us. As long as can keep our home record going and pick up points then we will be there at the end of the season.
Q:WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEH CHAMPIONSHIP AND LEAGUE ONE?
A:League One is a completely different ball game to the Championship. All players try their hardest at whatever level but it is 100 miles per hour in League One and you don't get much time on the ball. Swansea are probably the best footballing side we have played this year and you have to adapt to a lot of different styles. In the championship, you get a little bit more time on the ball but it up to us to play well against all different styles of opponents.
Q:DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS ABOUT LEAVING STOKE NOW THAT THEY ARE IN THE PLAY-OFF ZONE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP?
A:When I knew Nottingham Forest were interested they were towards the top end of the Championship and it was an opportunity I wanted to grab with both hands. They had only just missed out on a return to the Premier League and it is a massive club who had bounced between the Premier League and Championship. At present, we are in League One but I have no regrets as it is a great club and I am enjoying my football here. All credit to Stoke for being in the top four in the Championship and I hope they continue to do well but I am very happy at Nottingham Forest.
