Kinnear speaks of the importance of fitness.

By Michael Lynch
July 15 2004

Manager Joe Kinnear has told the Nottingham Evening Post about the importance of fitness and how after only one game things are looking promising for the lads this pre-season. He has also been singing Andy Reid's praises and appreciates that the player is an important part of the Reds' squad.

Kinnear signs Reid's praises.
Thursday 15th July 2004
Following this morning's clash with DC United, in which Irish midfielder Andy Reid netted the winner for The Reds, Joe Kinnear has sung the former Tottenham target's praises in an exclusive interview with the Nottingham Evening Post: Kinnear said: "It was a test to see how fit Reidy was and we all know he is one of the best left-sided players in the league. I thought now we have lost Williams we would give him a go in there and he came up with a great goal. He added: "It was the first game we have had - we haven't even had a full-scale practice game so it was always going to be difficult. "But we're pleased we've come out without any injuries and I am not too bothered about the result. "I'd like to come here in January and play a team like this after we had a few games under our belt. "The players are going down with a little bit of fatigue and some of them have been losing up to eight pounds after training. "We rode our luck a bit at set plays but it was a good work-out and I was pleased they pushed us. "We will get better as the days progress and push on from the end we had to last season. "We are playing these matches to get ourselves fit and we didn't know we were going to have penalties until the final whistle." If we can manage to hold of to players such as Reid and the other stars of the Forest side, then we will undoubtedly be in for a successful season next time round. *Forest can now look forward to their next friendly game which will be against Richmond Kickers this Saturday night.*

Kinnear signs Reid's praises.

Thursday 15th July 2004

Following this morning's clash with DC United, in which Irish midfielder Andy Reid netted the winner for The Reds, Joe Kinnear has sung the former Tottenham target's praises in an exclusive interview with the Nottingham Evening Post:

Kinnear said: "It was a test to see how fit Reidy was and we all know he is one of the best left-sided players in the league. I thought now we have lost Williams we would give him a go in there and he came up with a great goal.

He added: "It was the first game we have had - we haven't even had a full-scale practice game so it was always going to be difficult.

"But we're pleased we've come out without any injuries and I am not too bothered about the result.

"I'd like to come here in January and play a team like this after we had a few games under our belt.

"The players are going down with a little bit of fatigue and some of them have been losing up to eight pounds after training.

"We rode our luck a bit at set plays but it was a good work-out and I was pleased they pushed us.

"We will get better as the days progress and push on from the end we had to last season.

"We are playing these matches to get ourselves fit and we didn't know we were going to have penalties until the final whistle."

If we can manage to hold of to players such as Reid and the other stars of the Forest side, then we will undoubtedly be in for a successful season next time round.

Forest can now look forward to their next friendly game which will be against Richmond Kickers this Saturday night.