John Powls: Forest will prove a tricker task this time around but Boro need to stamp their authority on top spot

With the surprisingly sprightly Lions tamed it's on to trying a spot of Trees felling down by The Trent.

That could prove tricky - or not - depending on which Forest and Boro turn up at The City Ground tomorrow.

Many of the magnificent travelling parmo army will hope that Karanka gives them the best chance of seeing winning rather than wobbly from their side by going same again in his selection and set out.

Certainly, the return to 4-2-3-1 and of those generally recognised as first picks made it chalk and cheese between last Tuesday at the Riverside and Wednesday at Hillsborough.

The three goals by three strikers, three points and a clean sheet garnered against Millwall coupled with another Derby dip took Boro back to the top.

OK, there were still issues to address like some sleepy defending that gifted Ollie's side two goes at Dimi before the reds scored, both of which the keeper kept out.

Nottingham Forest manager Dougie Freedman

Then there was the opening 20 of the second half when Lee Tomlin went walkabout and it looked for all the world as though Karanka's men were trying to get their visitors a goal by gifting the ball and giving ground.

But between those there were slick, defence-slicing front four forays aplenty when Boro put it all together and looked much more like their successful selves than any of the over rotated versions have.

They finished flowing moves with quality final balls, assists and takes to go two up through Bam-Bam and Kike.

And after 65 Boro's back seven got a grip again and throttled off the Lion's last hopes.

That allowed Gorgeous to keep gleefully gliding past gaggles of blue to generate more goes at goal.

Though Forde saved from the full back's own attempt after yet another left flank gallop and cut in, Vossen capped his return by neatly slotting home the rebound.

As 'We are top of the league, say...' rang round the Riverside one could reflect that it has seemed harder for any side to hold on to top spot that it has to chase and achieve it thus far.

It would be great to see a return to consistency have Boro belief break that mould, enjoy table topping and meet its challenges with the authority the position could confer, starting tomorrow.

Freedman's Forest will want to keep their faint hopes of a late run at the play offs alive by getting their recent run of wins restored just as Karanka's men will look to convince them their bubble's burst after they deflated down in The Valley in the week.

The long term injury to Assombalonga put no brake on February's feast of Forest goals that delivered five wins and a draw from six with the one pointer being the bizarre eight goal Bloomfield blizzard.

Though the goals have been shared around it seems to me that Henri Lansbury's return to influential midfield form and hitting the net has been at the heart of their revival and needs to be nullified by a switched on Clayts.

At a ground where Boro haven't often flourished, this Forest will be a trickier task to fell than the Pearce version were on Boxing Day but a back to their best Boro are capable of wielding the axe again.

C'mon Boro!!