Forest will be out to attack us, says skipper Carey
Stifled by Sheffield Wednesday's smothering tactics last time out, the Robins endured a frustrating afternoon as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Ashton Gate by opponents who were supposedly there for the taking. The Owls put men behind the ball, closed down relentlessly and relied on swiftly-launched counter-attacks.
It may not have made for an entertaining spectacle, but the strategy certainly proved effective.
Presented with a wall of blue and white shirts, City struggled to find a way through and, Nicky Maynard's 59th-minute goal apart, they seldom troubled Wednesday keeper Lee Grant.
But Carey is certain tomorrow's fixture against Forest at the City Ground will prove a far more edifying affair.
Awash with attacking talent, Forest are much-improved under the management of Billy Davies and are handily-placed just outside the play-off zone.
"It will make for a much better game," insisted Carey, who is confident he will recover from the knee injury which cut short his involvement against Wednesday in time to play, if selected.
"Wednesday came with a game-plan to stop us playing and made life very difficult for us. No team has set up and played like that against us all season and it caused us problems.
"They played with one up front, packed the midfield and made sure we couldn't get the ball forward quickly. You have to give them credit, because they stuck to their task well and could even have won the game.
"It was frustrating for the fans and for the lads. I think a lot of people expected us to beat Wednesday, but it just shows every team has good players in the Championship."
He added: "Forest will be something altogether different. We've had some great battles with them down the years and there is a rivalry between the fans.
"They'll come at us and have a go and that will create the space for us to play our natural game.
"We certainly won't be going there to sit back and defend and it should make for a really entertaining game."
City's captain admitted dropping two points at home to Wednesday increases the pressure on City to return with something from the East Midlands.
He said: "The target is to win every game, but if you go through the season winning your home games and picking up points on the road, then you're in with a shout.
"If we had beaten Sheffield Wednesday, we would have gone to Forest in credit. But as we didn't, there is a bit more pressure.
"It's up to us to go out there and produce the kind of performance we put in at Barnsley. That was our first away win of the season but, with the exception of the game at Cardiff, where we were battered, we've done quite well on the road."
Forced to limp off at half-time last Saturday, Carey missed training earlier in the week to undergo treatment.
He said: "I got a knee in the back when I went up for a ball with the keeper and it stiffened up straight away.
"But I reckon I'll be OK for Forest. I'll just have to wait and see if I'm picked."
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