Nottinghamshire

Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Europa League tie against Real Betis.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On this being a big moment for the football club: "Without a shadow of a doubt this is a big moment for the club. You can just imagine how the supporters are feeling. There's probably a couple of generations in there who have heard the stories but not lived the experiences and now they can live their own experiences. I know everyone at the club is excited, the players are excited. Hopefully it's a successful campaign for us."

• On player availability: "The only one that misses out is Murillo again. He trained on Monday but he's still not comfortable so I've left him back home to do some work."

• On the importance of substitutions: "The players are ready for that. That's why we need a big squad and the important things is the guys that come on make an impact, which they did against Burnley on Saturday. We're really pleased with the guys that came on and made an impact. Whatever team we start with on Wednesday, we still have the ability to make changes that can impact the game."

• On how important the addition of Oleksandr Zinchenko will be: "Bringing Zinchenko in is brilliant for us. Losing Ola [Aina] was a massive blow and we'd be really short of full-backs if we weren't allowed to bring Oleksandr in. I'm super pleased that the amendment to the rule has been made. He will be huge. You can already see that he's a quality player, he's got experience at the highest level of European football, so it's great to bring him in."

• Postecoglou has brought the whole squad along for their first match in order to "keep the group together". He said: "Being away allows some of the spirit between the team to gel a bit quicker because we do have a lot of new players. It will be a worthwhile couple of days for us."

• On the difference between European football and the Premier League: "I think what's really important is that you treat this as a standalone tournament. It's very different from the Premier League and it challenges you in different ways and we need to embrace that. If you expect to roll in after a Premier League game, I don't think that's the way it works. I've had experience in this competition and we'll make sure the lads are ready for every unique challenge that's before us."

Listen to Postecoglou from Radio Nottingham on BBC Sounds

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

As Nottingham Forest make their preparations for Wednesday's Europa League match at Real Betis, we step into the unknown - in more ways than one.

The European adventure represents a milestone in the club's modern history and a chance to compete against some of the continent's best teams. Combine that with a new manager and a clutch of new signings and it is hard to know what to expect.

With his first four games played away, Ange Postecoglou will be hoping to greet the City Ground faithful on Saturday with a win under his belt. The draw against Burnley can be looked at as a hard-earned point on the road or another opportunity spurned.

But Burnley are no pushover at home and the manager is juggling injuries and new players while trying to embed his philosophy. He knows he doesn't have long and the goals and the wins have to start coming.

The question in Seville will be which Postecoglou can we expect? Will it be Ange-ball? Will it be the pragmatic style of Tottenham's trophy winners last season? Or will it be some sort of combination of those with a dollop of Nuno-ball?

Last season's Conference League runners-up are not to be underestimated and the patient, possession-based football the Reds have been moving towards will be key to success in Europe.

The experience of the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Douglas Luiz and Nikola Milenkovic in European competition will undoubtedly help the manager, who obviously knows a thing or two about the Europa League.

The next few games will not decide the season for Forest but they will certainly go a long way to steering the narrative at the City Ground and ensuring Postecoglou receives a warm reception on Saturday.

We're already into the unknown - we're all just hoping the ship is steadied and set in the right direction again.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Image source, Getty Images

"I remember the ball coming down to my side and as its bounced I saw the left-hand side of the goal gaping, so I knew I had to put it there."

It was a goal that went on to become iconic, and over 30 years later, Paul McGregor still remembers every tiny detail of how the ball hit the back of the Lyon net to send Nottingham Forest through to the quarter-final of the Uefa Cup in November 1995.

"It is incredible," the now 50-year-old told BBC East Midlands Today. "I was around Nottingham Forest for a long time, but not necessarily always in the first team, so what amazes me is how much the goal resonates with Forest fans.

"I've always seen it as [just] a goal. Yes, it was in Europe, but you don't realise what memories are wrapped around it and how iconic it would become. It astounds me what a moment in time can mean to people.

"I can remember going to all the [cup] away games and being on the bench, but you always want to get on and make an impact.

"The home game against Lyon had just stagnated and the boss [Frank Clark] wanted to shake it up, so he threw me and Bobby Howe on. It caused chaos.

"I was desperate to make an impact so I knew that if Stuart Pearce missed the penalty, then I would be on it. Yes, there was a bit of encroachment with my run but I don't think you will ever see a player wanting a rebound so much!

"I remember it coming down to my side and as it's bounced I saw the left-hand side of the goal gaping so I knew I had to put it there.

"I remember it so clearly. It was an indescribable feeling.

"I loved getting to the fans and looking up to see 20 of my mates going mental. That's one of the best things about being a local lad and doing something special."

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham sports editor

Image source, Getty Images

Early mornings in airports are always places full of excitement and optimism, with the prospect of explorations and discovering new places to come.

The Forest fans going through security at Birmingham Airport have waited a long time for this particular trip. Some 30 years, in fact.

Nigel, a fan from Nottingham, told me he only came back from a holiday in Seville three weeks ago but wasn't about to turn down the chance to fly back to the same place and see his beloved club play their first match in European competition for three decades.

A Real Betis team with plenty of European experience and a 70,000-seater stadium awaits, in what could prove to be Forest's most difficult game in the league phase.

Colin Fray, Steve Hodge and I will bring you all the news from the news conference later on BBC Radio Nottingham (1800-1900 BST) and, of course, we'll be on the radio on Wednesday night as well for the game itself. Join us from 18:00 for that.

Right, time to board.

Come back to this page later for all the key lines from Ange Postecoglou's news conference

Are you heading out to Spain? We'd love you to get in touch here with your stories and picture from your travels

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Burnley and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Burnley fans

Ian: Jaidon Anthony brings a tremendous amount of energy to Burnley and is genuinely skillful, but I just wonder why they don't work on his shooting. Meanwhile, Scott Parker's loyalty to his players is admirable, but surely, in a game as important as this one, leaving Neco Williams unmarked at the edge of the box deserves a rollocking!

Paul: Brave performance but didn't really deserve a point. Martin Dubravka was superb and will need to be all season if we are going to survive. Promising performances from the two newbies, Loum Tchaouna and Florentino Luis. We need Armando Broja to contribute.

Graham: An excellent team performance in awful conditions and after going a goal behind so early. A real show of skill, strength, character, and determination to get level, and drive on. A draw was a fair result in the end but Burnley should be massively encouraged by both this team performance, and by individual contributions by the likes of Anthony, Dubravka, Florentino, Lyle Foster, and Kyle Walker. We are not out of place at this level.

Peter; When we learn how to make a decent final pass, we'll be a real threat. Until then, just hang on.

Forest fans

Supered: Poor result against one of the weaker teams this season. Forest are in a relegation battle. Angeball does not work - it was found out within 20 games. Fear the worst for Wednesday.

Rick: The talent is obvious. Give Ange the time - no more than a month - you can bet your last dollar and watch him him put us in the top five before Christmas.

Mossy: Postecoglou has not had a easy start at Forest, trying to incorporate new players and four away games, which are all potential banana skins. His first game at the City Ground in front of the supporters will see if the tactics he prefers are popular.

Jon: Can we get rid of the manager now? The joke's not funny anymore. I've completely lost interest in this season. First Nuno throwing his teddies out of his pram and now this managerial appointment. It's as if the owner enjoys this nonsense and upheaval season after season.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

It was an upbeat Ange Postecoglou after Nottingham Forest's draw at Burnley.

Yes, they may not have won and the new manager is still waiting for his first victory - albeit he is only three games into his reign - but there are clear signs of what he wants.

Victory over Real Betis in the Europa League on Wednesday - on Forest's return to Europe for the first time since 1995-96 - would underline the progress he is talking about.

Chances created, especially for Dilane Bakwa in the first half, highlighted the kind of quick, incisive football Postecoglou wants to play.

Those who have worked closely with the former Tottenham boss told BBC Sport he would not wait to impress his style and philosophies, and Postecoglou said Forest looked like one of his teams at times in the second half.

It would be wrong to disagree as it was clear how different expansive Forest already are to the side Nuno Espirito Santo took to seventh in the Premier League last season.

This comes less than two weeks after Postecoglou was appointed Nuno's successor so, despite the winless start, Forest should be in for an exciting ride.

• Not a Forest fan? Find your Premier League club on BBC Sport

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

The TV in the media suite suddenly turned on during Ange Postecoglou's post-match news conference.

Commentary of Manchester United v Chelsea blared out and threatened to drown out the head coach before he carried on.

The remote did not have any batteries to switch the screen off and, while the Clarets may not have had any power in their appliances, Postecoglou believes his Forest team are showing the energy and spark he wants to see.

Despite having to settle for a draw, Postecoglou felt Forest were worthy of victory, while Scott Parker believed it was a fair result - the former Tottenham boss is seeing quick and early signs of progress.

An opening defeat by Arsenal can be understood, Wednesday's EFL Cup collapse at Swansea less so - but at Burnley there was clear evidence of Postecoglou's philosophies.

"The key for me is we don't have time to bed things down and work on things because the league is up and running," he said. "Since the Arsenal game already I can see the team is transforming and the way we are working with the way working without the ball and with the all.

"It's encouraging for me. You can make a quick impact if the messages are clear.

"There were three guys who made their debuts, players trying to adjust to the Premier League. A a team the growth will come from clear focus where the principles are."

Pundits Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

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