Dean Smith believes that a lot of water has passed under the bridge since Mark Warburton's time at Brentford and the focus should be on what happens on the pitch.
The former Bees manager takes a side back to Griffin Park for the first time since his departure in 2015.
The pair last met at the Banks's Stadium, Walsall in January 2014 and played out an entertaining 1-1 draw.
Smith reflected: “We've come up against each other a couple of times. We had a battle over Will Grigg when Brentford were signing him and I wanted to keep him at Walsall.
“Brentford had won seven on the spin or something. It was a good game and a good draw.
“Obviously, people will talk about Mark but he wants to get his head down and play football. It's a long time and a lot of water under the bridge and it's about the football game and us trying to win the game.”
There has been plenty of debate on social media about the reception Warburton will get but, for Smith, he's only focused on what happens on the pitch.
He added: “It's a game of football. It's Brentford against Nottingham Forest. Both teams are good footballing teams and it's what the players do on the pitch.”
Forest were fortunate to beat Millwall in their season opener and Smith knows it will be a stern test for his Brentford side.
He explained: “It'll be a tough game. They beat Millwall and then Shrewsbury on Tuesday. I think they made 11 changes; we were just one short.
“They'd say they were fortunate to beat Millwall. They've got good players there and Mark coming back to Griffin Park adds to the game but we've got to focus on ourselves.”
Sergi Canos, who has missed the last two games, remains a doubt for Saturday's fixture but could return against Bristol City or Ipswich.
Smith said: “Sergi is a doubt for Saturday. He's responded to treatment really well. The bruising has come out of the ankle but he won't be far off now. We're looking at Bristol City or Ipswich.”
