Nottingham Forest

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray expects a quiet end to the transfer window and, according to Nuno Espirito Santo, any player that joins needs to be "special."

Speaking on the latest Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Colin said the Forest boss would be content if there are no new arrivals at the City Ground:

"Nuno seems very happy with it being very quiet - he's been talking all window long about the priority being to keep his group together and to stave off bids. The new contracts have helped to do that during January.

"He's certainly publicly very calm about the situation. He wants it over, as all managers do at this stage. He's ready for the end of the window - and he's not publicly seeming desperate to add to the squad."

"They need to be 'special' players because they have to be the right character to not upset what's been a very good dressing room.

"They have to better than the levels already there so they can push the players. That then becomes expensive and there's potential PSR [profit and sustainability rule] issues going forward. I think that's why generally the window has been very quiet.

"I'm not expecting anything like the normal flurry towards the end of the window - but I am conscious we've said that before.. and it's turned into anything but."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Name this former Nottingham Forest manager from the following clues:

• My managerial breakthrough came at Middlesbrough, with whom I won the League Cup in 2004.

• I am a former England manager.

• My spell in charge of Forest lasted just 112 days.

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 GMT

The latest Shut Up And Show More Football podcast from BBC Radio Nottingham has landed.

David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss how Nuno Espirito Santo's side can bounce back from their humbling at Bournemouth, plus hear from Matz Sels on how he and his family have settled into the East Midlands.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton (kick-off 12:30).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno said Callum Hudson-Odoi is out and will not be involved in Saturday's game but Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are "ready" and have "joined the squad".

• On how long Hudson-Odoi will be out he said: "We are still assessing, it is something that we hope to improve soon but he is not going to be available for this game."

• On the transfer window the Forest boss said: "Our push was always the same -basically saying someone to come and give us help has to be someone different and has to fit in the squad. So someone that brings a different option, a different solution. That was our approach as the coaching staff, then the club has to work. It's not easy to operate in this transfer window but it is always the same. Someone has to be special."

• On how they need to respond following the 5-0 defeat by Bournemouth he said: "We have to react, it's obvious after a bad performance. There is no other way, we have to react, perform better, we have to be a better team. It's just back to the basics, back to the things we do well, recognising our strengths and our weaknesses and try to perform better because it was a bad performance."

• As his side prepare to face Brighton, Nuno added: "We have to perform much better, we have to be solid, we have to play better football. We were not accurate, we missed a lot of passes. So many things to improve. Big challenge ahead of us."

• He was also asked about online abuse directed at referee Michael Oliver who sent off Myles Lewis-Skelly during Arsenal's game against Wolves on Saturday and said: "I think the game and the industry should look and protect the referees."

• On whether managers are included in that, he said: "One thing can lead to the other but it's always very hard and to try to understand sometimes the positions of the managers. It's difficult to control emotions and what we expect - that we can express ourselves and that doesn't drive to other things. It's not the cause to the others things but us as managers should look at and try to be a little bit more respectful sometimes and understand that referees make mistakes."

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

Wolves are expecting one or more offers for Brazil forward Matheus Cunha before the transfer deadline, with Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Arsenal. (Football Insider, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Saturday's horror show against Bournemouth doesn't mean a turning point in the season - an eight-game unbeaten run had to end at some point - but it does raise questions about the Premier League conclusion.

Just 15 matches remain and expectations (hopes and dreams?) have risen from being happy with a midtable finish to the prospect of a place in the Champions League. But, as the manager has continually affirmed, you can only concentrate on one game at a time.

As I've said before, you often learn more from defeat than victory. And with the transfer window closing in just a week, there's a real possibility that Nottingham Forest will strengthen for the run in; it seems a striker is very much in the thinking with the likes of Yoane Wissa and Matheus Cunha both linked.

Losing 5-0 is a complete anomaly to this side, who've been so defensively sound since last summer. As it stands, Arsenal and Liverpool are still the only two teams who have conceded fewer goals. But allowing the likes of an in-form Justin Kluivert to run at us was never going to end well - just ask Newcastle United who were walloped at home just a week earlier.

That same Newcastle side sit just three points behind us in the table, with Manchester City finally making up ground, while Chelsea still blow hot and cold but are level with the Cherries, four points below. It's getting increasingly competitive at the top.

So, after a bad day at the office, the Reds need to dust themselves off and get back to what they've done so well all season. Confidence, organisation, unity and belief are increasingly the words most associated with Nuno Espirito Santo's team - and that's precisely what they need to see them to the finish line. The best we hope is still to come.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, which the hosts won 5-0.

Here are some of your comments:

Bournemouth fans

Wing: So many superlative words I want to say, but so few words could really describe what a Cherries fan is feeling right now. In a game that was billed as a very tight match of the best "underdogs" in the Premier League, the Cherries displayed the real gap on the pitch. This hopefully springs us to a tremendous result against Liverpool as well.

Alan: Brilliant team performance by Bournemouth - dominated in all areas of the park. Man of match was Ryan Christie, who was box-to-box, helping both the front line and defence, but everyone contributed.

Malcom: Following on from Newcastle last week I had no doubt that we could overturn Forest, but did not see the 5-0 coming. Another full team performance from 1 to 11. Once we turned it up in the second half, Forest were shell shocked and had no answer. Excellent performance all round.

Scott: Absolute dreamland to be a supporter of the Cherries right now. Incredible performance against a very good Forest side. We have never had it so good, this is the best side we've ever had and a manager that is top drawer. I don't want this season to end. Wow, just Wow!

Forest fans

Susie: Forest were awful, but I was half expecting an explosion soon - it's just gutting it was by that much and in this game! We have to dust ourselves off and move on. We've got some hard fixtures coming up but I have faith we'll be OK. Bournemouth were excellent, and we just had an off day. Still a very proud Forest fan for the season so far!

Darren: Not sure what was going on but we were never at the races. Even Murillo, Milenkovic and Sels were off it. This will stop the title race nonsense talk and allow us to get back on the horse and finish as high as we can. Poor performance but on we go!

Edward: Huge credit to Bournemouth. We've overperformed hugely this season. These days will happen. The players have looked tired since Liverpool. Squad depth partly explains what happened. A silver lining may be Mr M releasing the purse strings for a defensive midfielder and a wide forward/winger.

John: That was the worst performance I've seen since the Championship days - sluggish, lethargic, second to every ball. Hopefully this is just a blip.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures are now available to watch.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Wolves 0-1 Arsenal

• Man City 3-1 Chelsea

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Nobody expected a game like this. Bournemouth were better than us.

"Realising what we did wrong - a lot of things. Usually our strengths are when we block and are compact. When we give space to our opponents things get harder.

"For the second half we went to the dressing room to try and correct things and put things right but we didn't do that. The second half was very bad."

On how to pick his team up after the heavy defeat: "Working, correcting mistakes and realisng the things we did well. We have to keep it like that. If we don't we become a very fragile things that allow these situations."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Bournemouth's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action.

• Bournemouth v Nottingham Forest

• Brighton v Everton

• Liverpool v Ipswich

• Southampton v Newcastle

• Wolves v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Chelsea (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

What a game this is, between two of the form teams in the Premier League.

We all know how good Nottingham Forest have been but I am fed up with writing off Bournemouth because I keep on getting them wrong.

I didn't see their big win over Newcastle coming last week, but they were brilliant, and they thoroughly deserved it.

The bad news for Cherries fans, of course, is that as soon as I start backing them, you can guarantee that their results will tail off.

I actually think this is more likely to be a draw, because Forest have an excellent away record - only Liverpool have picked up more points than them on the road this season.

The BBC readers will be predictable and go for it to end 1-1, but like I say, I am backing Bournemouth now.

Sutton's prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Read all of his predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Elliot Anderson is doing really well this season for Nottingham Forest but I do not think he is praised or spoken about enough.

We talk a lot as media about Forest's defensive strengths and how good Matz Sels is behind their centre-back pairing, and a lot about their front three.

Yet Anderson has been key to their midfield in terms of being able to do both and he is probably one of the signings of the season.

He breaks up play and gets around the pitch. He passes quickly and that helps Forest who play in transitions. He is very good at seeing a forward pass early or carrying the ball up the pitch to allow others to get forward too.

He has been phenomenal this season for Forest and as a midfielder, I really like him.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford

Despite a number of injuries to key players, Bournemouth continue to push themselves into contention for European football, while Nottingham Forest's impressive season does not look like slowing down.

With three crucial points on the line in the race for Champions League football, it sets up an intriguing battle on the south coast on Saturday.

While the two sides go head to head on the pitch, we asked our fan writers for each club to go head to head off it.

Each fan got to ask three questions to each other before the big game...

Tom Jordan
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Here is what our Bournemouth fan Tom Jordan had to say on questions put by our Nottingham Forest supporter Saveena Johal.

Considering your current form and home record against us in recent seasons, how are you viewing this match?

We are on a fantastic run and we have to be confident. Having said that, Forest are one of a few sides who are in just as remarkable form as us. Considering our injury crisis and somewhat surprising four points gained from Chelsea and Newcastle, I think I would be happy with a point.

We do have an impressive record against the Reds but this current Forest side are a different animal. I actually believe both sides would be content to share the spoils in this one.

How much do you feel injuries have impacted your season, and is this a worry for you going into the Forest game?

Our long injury list has been infuriating this season but, equally, the way some of the fringe players have stepped up is a huge positive. We have dealt with being without so many first-teamers incredibly well, but with a tight game expected, I do fear we will have fewer options to make the changes required in the latter stages.

We are known for having scorers and impactful substitutions regularly, but it is very much anticipated that our bench will be filled with goalkeepers and development players for this one.

Both Forest and Bournemouth are having a great time this season - what has been the best part of your campaign so far?

In terms of moments and matches themselves, there have been countless games to remember. Beating Manchester City for the first time in the top flight, scoring three goals in nine minutes to win at Everton, battering an in-form Newcastle on their own patch, and even hammering Manchester United at Old Trafford... again!

But, in general, it has just been the style of football that we feel fortunate enough to witness. Andoni Iraola has made us a joy to watch. We are so brave and offensive, and Cherries fans feel very lucky to be entertained every week.

Find more from Sam Davis/Tom Jordan at Back of the Net, external

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Here is what our Nottingham Forest supporter Saveena Johal had to say on questions put by our Bournemouth fan Tom Jordan.

Who would you say is your most underrated player? Your unsung hero of the season so far?

Neco Williams has been exceptional. He has slipped under the radar, which may be understandable given the overall quality in the squad.

Alex Moreno was our stable left-back, but being on loan from Aston Villa meant that he couldn't play in our home win against them. Since then, Williams has slotted into his position on the left, and become first choice.

It is easy to forget he is a natural right-back. He comes out as one of the highest rated for tackles, interceptions, blocks and clearances per 90. While dominant against Mohamed Salah last week, he has been consistent throughout the season.

If you could take one player from the current Bournemouth squad, who would it be?

Antoine Semenyo would add depth for us, particularly as we have just put a bid in for Yoane Wissa so are clearly looking to strengthen that winger position.

He has looked explosive in midfield and his aggressive style of play would fit in with our set-up. Pouncing on the opposition, with his pace, would work in sync with our counter-attacking approach. His two-footed ability and fine finishing would also be a welcome addition.

If you were offered a seventh-place finish come the end of the season, would you take it considering your current position?

The optimist in me would say no but, from a more realistic perspective, I would take it.

It is important to be able to dream big and, for now, the majority of Forest supporters are enjoying this wave of success. It is still incredibly tight at the top, and other teams are slowly creeping up. Despite this, I am still confident we can tackle the difficult run that is fast approaching.

With five English teams possibly getting into next season's Champions League, a seventh-place finish may qualify us for the Europa League, which we have a higher chance of progressing in.

Find more from Saveena Johal at Punjabi Forest, external

Image source, Getty Images

The team scoring first has won none of the five Premier League meetings between Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest (D3 L2) - in all five cases, it has been the home side to go 1-0 up.