Michael Dawson happy with Nottingham Forest's pre-season progress

Michael Dawson felt that Nottingham Forest's match against Real Betis was another good workout for the team as they build towards the start of the season.
Forest blogger Lee Clarke is calling on fans to roar the team to Championship survival.Forest blogger Lee Clarke is calling on fans to roar the team to Championship survival.
Forest blogger Lee Clarke is calling on fans to roar the team to Championship survival.

The Reds lost 1-0 against a Real Betis side which is set for Europa League football this season.

Speaking after the game, he told the club’s official website: “Obviously Betis are a top team. We knew what it was going to be like, they have been back a little bit less time than we have but it was a test that we needed.

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“We had a couple of in-house games, a game on Wednesday and it was a real test. I thought it was a good workout and the lads did well, it was just unfortunate that we couldn’t hold on.

“We all know the most important thing is the first game of the season so pre-season games you want to win, but it is about getting through them unscathed and getting the work under your belt.”

Dawson believes that the training camp in Spain can only help bring the squad together as a group, and he feels that the unity is already showing among the lads.

“They are great lads,” he said. “Some have got the vast majority of experience and we also have the vast majority of youth and excitement, so they keep the older ones young and the younger ones we keep on their toes to look after and you need a mix of both in the Championship. It is a long old season and the owners and the manager are certainly doing that.

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“Maybe, for the foreign lads who haven’t been in and around English football before, myself and the other players have come across them and made them feel welcome from minute one so I have loved that.”