When Joe Kinnear took charge of Nottingham Forest in February, the club was struggling at the foot of the table, staring relegation from the First Division full in the face. However, the former Wimbledon boss masterminded an outstanding run of results, steering the club to a mid-table finish, losing just two of their last 17 games. As a result, much was expected of the club this time round. However, Forest have made a slow start, taking just four points from their first six matches. Givemefootball's Mark Shail caught up with summer signing Andy Impey and got the thoughts of the former England Under 21 international.
Q:IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT FOREST HAVE YET TO HIT TOP FORM THIS TERM?
A:Yes, we've had a difficult start, but there is still and long way to and there is no reason to hit the panic button just yet.
Q:HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING LIFE ON THE TRENT?
A:I had a loan spell at Forest towards the end of last season when things went pretty well and everyone at the club has made me feel very welcome. This season, injuries have meant I have been forced to play at right back but, whilst I know my best position is on the right wing, I'm prepared to play wherever I am picked for the good of the team.
Q:IS IT TOO EARLY TO START LOOKING AT THE LEAGUE TABLE?
A:It's still early days, but it is important that we don't let the teams at the top of the table get too far ahead. Having said that, we proved last season that if you can put a run of results together it is possible to work your way up the table very quickly.
Q:THE CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE LOOKS PARTICULARLY COMPETITIVE, DON'T YOU THINK?
A:Most definitely, I would imagine more than half of the sides in the division have hopes of winning promotion. The league is full of big clubs, like Wolves, Leicester, West Ham, Sunderland and Leeds, but I would like to think we could be up there challenging with the best of them.
Q:DID YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME AT LEICESTER?
A:Yes, I spent five years at the club and really enjoyed it. It's never easy to leave a club, because you leave a lot of friends behind, but I was out of contract and Leicester were forced to release a long list of players to cut the wage bill. Now I'm looking to the future and I hope I can be part of some success here at Forest.
Q:ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC OF MAKING A QUICK RETURN TO THE PREMIERSHIP?
A:Every player's aim should be to play in the top flight and I am no different. Forest is a club with a big tradition and I feel their rightful place is in the Premiership, although I'm sure there are plenty of other clubs who probably think exactly the same thing.
Q:WHAT ARE YOUR IMPRESSIONS OF JOE KINNEAR?
A:He is a very shrewd football man and I am enjoying working with him. He makes the training as enjoyable as possible and it's not hard to see why he has been so successful in the past. The only problem is that he is a Tottenham fan and I am an Arsenal supporter!
Q:WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF ARSENAL THIS SEASON?
A:They are breathtaking. I would say they are easily the best club side I have seen in my lifetime. The Manchester United side that won the treble were very good, but this Arsenal side could be even better. I suppose they will only get that recognition if they manage to win the Champions League.
