Friday 8 May 2015 12:48, UK
Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Forshaw insists all sentiment towards his former club Brentford will be firmly put to one side when they meet in the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-finals.
Forshaw, 23, left Brentford last summer to join Wigan, ending a superb two-year spell at the club in which he made his name and was promoted from League One last season.
The former Everton youth player says he has a lot of love for his former club but hopes his inside knowledge can work in Boro’s favour when the sides meet in the first-leg at Griffin Park on Friday, live on Sky Sports 1HD.
“You couldn't write it could you?" he said. “It’s been a strange season for me and made all the more strange when we drew Brentford.
“It’s going to be a great tie and I’m really looking forward to it. Having played there I know the talent and the bond the team has. You can’t say that they’re lucky to be in the play-offs. They deserve to be where they are.
“They will think they have a good chance against us and they’re going to be two tight games. But we’re in good form, we’re confident and have good players.
“It’s been a stop-start season for me, starting the campaign at Wigan then going to Boro, but I’m at a fantastic club now. They’ve been brilliant with me. My loyalty is with Middlesbrough now.”
Middlesbrough have been enjoying a pre-match training camp in Marbella in Spain ahead of the game – something Forshaw believes has had a positive effect on the team.
He added: “It’s been great. We’ve trained every morning, and been lucky it’s not been too hot, so we’ve been able to just relax and chill out by the pool.
“I think it’s had a positive effect on the squad. Whether we play away from home first or second it doesn’t matter, we’ve got to play them twice. It’s going to be tough over 180 minutes but we are confident players and believe we can win over two legs.”
Brentford v Middlesbrough, Championship play-off semi-final first-leg, Friday May 8, Sky Sports 1HD, 7.30pm
