Nottingham

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game at home to Newcastle United (14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno confirmed team news is "basically the same" as for last weekend's win over West Ham, with long-term absentees Danilo and Ibrahima Sangare remaining out.

• On winning Premier League manager of the month: "I'm very proud of the way we've been doing things. All of us - starting from the owner to the staff in the training ground. Everybody has been working very hard and it's very nice to be recognised. I think it's an effort from the club."

• He was "very pleased" Chris Wood won player of the month: "It reflects the hard work but it's more important you remain humble. He's much more than the goals - it's what he represents and what he means for us."

• More on Wood: "He puts everybody together - his presence in the dressing room, his voice, his experience. We are delighted."

• Is it harder to pick the team when everyone is performing well?: "When we have players available in good momentum, helping the team, it becomes easier because you have more options and solutions. We have immense trust in all the squad."

• On owner Evangelos Marinakis' plans for the club: "Good because I think, starting from the owner, the ambition to grow and improve the club makes us all aware of where we want to go."

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Image source, PA Media

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been named as the Premier League's manager of the month for October.

Forest took seven points from their three games in the month, drawing at Chelsea before beating Crystal Palace and Leicester.

It is the fifth time the Portuguese boss has won the award, after three previous successes during his time at Wolves and one while he was in charge of Tottenham.

Earlier, Forest striker Chris Wood was named player of the month.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest forward Chris Wood has been named Premier League player of the month for October.

He becomes the first Reds player to win the award, and also the first from New Zealand to pick up the prize.

Wood scored four goals in the top flight last month, helping Forest stay unbeaten in their three Premier League matches.

Image source, Getty Images

"You never know what could happen."

That's the view of former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Mark Crossley, who joined BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up and Show More Football podcast to discuss the Reds' excellent start to the season.

Crossley was part of the Forest squad that finished third in the top flight in 1994-95 and says "all the foundations are there" for the current team to emulate that success.

"We didn't think that we would finish third in the Premier League, no way," he said. But once you get into a bit of momentum, like the boys are doing now, and the manager has got a real grip of them, you never know what could happen.

"When you have the confidence, you've got a striker in form, a goalkeeper playing well, a back four that look organised and a midfield that look fantastic... all the foundations are there. Let's just keep hoping the team continue performing."

Next up for Nuno Espirito Santo's side is the visit of a resurgent Newcastle before the international break, followed by trips to title challengers Manchester City and Arsenal and a home game against Ipswich Town.

"If we can come out of the next four games with a decent amount of points then we are there," Crossley added.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, presenter David Jackson marvelled at Nottingham Forest's display against West Ham, as he and Colin Fray discussed why the Reds are flying high this season in the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side completely dominated at the City Ground last weekend, running out comfortable 3-0 winners to climb to third place in the table.

Jackson said: "We've seen some very good performances, very solid defensive performances, breakaway goals and sneaking 1-0 victories... we have seen all those in the Premier League. But this felt entirely different.

"Forest were flying forward in numbers. Everyone knew their jobs. Even when they made a load of substitutions, they still looked in sync with each other.

"We haven't seen Forest do that to a Premier League team for a long time."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

This is the first time Nottingham Forest will play Newcastle in a top-flight match while above them in the table since March 1989, when they drew 1-1 at the City Ground.

A new episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast is now available on BBC Sounds.

Nottingham Forest are third in the Premier League, so Colin Fray and David Jackson discuss the similarities with the team of the mid-1990s.

Listen to the full episode