Aitor Karanka doesn't have any favourites when it comes to who gets promoted even though some of those managers are his friends.

Nottingham Forest are currently in 16th place in the league thanks to a seven game unbeaten run which has steered them away from danger.

They are neither threatened with relegation or in with a chance of getting promoted, so maintaining their unbeaten run is the main focus in order to avoid a mediocre end to the season. There's no doubt that Karanka is already starting to prepare for next season, which will be his first full season in charge.

Local rivals Derby are currently in fifth place and look likely to finish in the play-offs with promotion to the Premier League a real possibility. However, Karanka refused to be drawn on the issue according to the Nottingham Post:

"I do not have time to think about who is going to win promotion or not, because now it is about Forest for me."

"I have friends in Middlesbrough, I am friends with Nuno at Wolves and Slavisa at Fulham… but my thoughts are on Forest only."

"I want to be in the position that Nuno and Slavisa are now, next season. That is all I am focused on."

The Verdict

Karanka's comments might not be the fiery response some Forest fans want from their manager, but it was a smart way to answer. It reduces the likelihood of Forest being compared with their local rivals which is something they don't want right now due top the disparity in league positions.

His unwillingness to get caught up in external events is what Forest need from their manager right now because they have underperformed in recent seasons for a club of their stature.

Karanka certainly looks like their best chance of mounting a serious challenge on the play-off spots if given the right backing because they have been resilient and clinical under him if not exciting.