Preston boss Alan Irvine has no doubt Nottingham Forest have what it takes to continue competing at the top of the Championship.
Goals from former North End midfielder Paul McKenna, Dele Adebola and Lewis McGugan secured an impressive 3-0 win for the Reds at the City Ground.
"They are one of the best sides I have seen in this division and are certainly doing enough to compete at the very top," said Irvine.
"We were under no illusions in what we would be up against coming here because Billy Davies has spent well and brought a lot of very good players into what is a very big club."
