Nottinghamshire

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We asked you to tell us in one sentence why Nottingham Forest will qualify for the Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Steve: Forest will continue to do what they've done for most of the games so far, defend well and catch teams on the break.

Elliot: Consistency, 'tough' games done, fully fit squad. This is our time.

Mossy: Best defence in the Premier League.

Stuart: Great business, great recruitment, great morals and an incredible work rate.

Rod: They are playing as one team.

Don: Because their 'never-say-die' attitude deserves it.

Rachel: Pinch me as I think I'm dreaming, with a Champions League place and beating Manchester City and Liverpool... just brilliant.

But not everyone was convinced..

Jared: Forest have the momentum to finish in Europe yes but you have to question their consistency in form.

Nigel: They won't. Forest's brand isn't strong enough to satisfy the advertisers and sponsors.

David: It is far too early to start talking about qualifying for the Champions League.

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Eighteen-year-old Forest centre-back Zach Abbott says he is enjoying learning from "one of the best defences in the Premier League".

The England Under-19 international made his senior debut for Forest in a Carabao Cup tie against Grimsby in 2022 but has began training full-time with the first team in the past year.

"For anyone it's a massive step," he told BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson. "You go to the back of the pecking order really and that's a really good challenge.

"You need to be confident in yourself, do the right things at the right time and get involved with everything you can. I'm learning off what is now a top-three Premier League team so it's really good for me to learn from one of the best defences in the Premier League.

"You see what they do and what I can do differently. I want to pick things up from people and magpie different things from different players."

Abbott appeared for Forest in the Carabao Cup second-round defeat on penalties to Newcastle last August and was in the squad for the Premier League win at Everton in December.

"It's been a really progressive year, I think I've learned a lot of really useful information, a lot of good tactics, and I just want to keep pushing on.

"There are world cup players there and that's where I want to be in the future. They also know I need to make my own way and do things myself so I like to learn from own mistakes as well. They know that because they have been there too. It's really good around the place."

Listen to more from Abbott on the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds

Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are among the clubs showing an interest in Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, 25. (Caughtoffside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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England Under-21s midfielder Elliot Anderson "wouldn't have believed" Nottingham Forest would be third in the table with 10 games to go, with a chance to be playing Champions League football next season.

"Everyone is enjoying the moment and we have a right good group, who are all pushing in the same direction, which is the key to our success", Anderson - who has contributed five assists and a goal in 27 Premier League appearances - tells BBC Sport presenter Darren Fletcher.

"We as players all see the talk that we won't keep it up but ultimately it goes back to the fundamentals and what we have built it on, which is the basics. If we just focus on each game, and do what we set out to do, we'll be OK.

When asked about achieving a Champions League spot, he said: "It would be incredible.

"Not just for the club but for the city, where it could help in all sorts of ways. I think it would be a huge historic moment for the club and for the players who have been working hard all season to pull it off.

"It will be an amazing season but first we have to win on Saturday to try and do it".

Forest travel to Ipswich on Saturday and sit four points behind second place Arsenal.

A new episode Shut Up And Show More Football is available to listen to and download on BBC Sounds.

David Jackson speaks to 18-year-old Forest defender Zach Abbott, plus hear from the panel on the win over Manchester City, Morgan Gibbs-White's brilliance, and an Ipswich preview.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich at Portman Road (15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno confirmed he has a fully fit squad to choose from aside from goalkeeper Carlos Miguel: "It's very good, it gives us options, solutions and having everyone available is just nice to see. There is nobody in the doctors. It's a nice position to be in."

• On two clean sheets against Arsenal and Manchester City: "We did really well against difficult opponents. One of our main focuses is to keep a clean sheet because it keeps us in the game and always gives our talented players a chance to score. That's our priority and nothing changes."

• He spoke highly about Morgan Gibbs-White before Friday's England squad announcement: "It is one of the big things that Morgan has been giving us, not only his incredible performances on the pitch but he is always ready to help his team-mates - his leadership, he is one of the captains. So, regarding the squad, let's wait and see what Thomas [Tuchel] does."

• On Callum Hudson-Odoi's form: "A lot of aspects in his game have been improving. I think he's versatile on both wings, he's adaptable and has been really performing well. His defensive tasks are always there. There are still a lot of things he can do better in terms of assists and goals, they are always numbers to improve."

• On match preparation as we approach the season's climax: "We don't have to change anything and approach the game the same we have been doing all season - trying to get as much details and prepare ourselves to compete against tough teams. Everything is going to be decided now, and all teams will be ready to go and we have to be ready to compete against Ipswich."

• On focusing after last weekend's win over City: "It's finished. We start a new cycle. It was a great job by the players against City but we have to transport and improve for Ipswich. Be solid, be compact, be competitive."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Ipswich have not won any of their past 14 Premier League games against sides in the top three of the table since a 1-0 win against Liverpool at Anfield in January 1995 (D2 L12). Those 12 defeats in that run have come by an aggregate score of 40-3.

Ipswich are the only side in England's top four tiers without a league win so far in 2025 - their longest run without a league victory from the start of a calendar year in their history.

This will be Nuno Espirito Santo's 50th Premier League game in charge of Nottingham Forest. He has won 21 of his 49 so far, with only Brian Clough (27) and Frank Clark (25) winning more of their first 50 top-flight games in charge of Forest.

Ten games to go and we need your positivity.

It is looking likely the Premier League will be awarded an extra Champions League spot for the 2025-26 season, so finishing fifth will mean a seat at Europe's top table.

We want you to tell us, in just one sentence, why Nottingham Forest will qualify for the Champions League

Let us know here