Nottingham Forest

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

During Nottingham Forest's 23 years in the wilderness — apologies to the English Football League — statistics didn't mean a lot. The Reds either had enough points to avoid relegation or enough points to get into the play-offs.

The first two years back in the Premier League, and even early into this season, simply drew comparisons with Forest's meagre showing back in the 1990s. Not any more. All previous records of note have been swept aside.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side have been writing their own history this campaign. Saturday's 4-2 win over Ipswich Town was Forest's eighth away victory this season, a tally only bettered by Liverpool.

Beating Brighton & Hove Albion 7-0 last month was our biggest win since 1991 — before the Premier League came into being. Chris Wood's hat-trick that day was the first by a Forest player at the City Ground in the top flight since 1987.

Consecutive wins? The six back-to-back victories were the most in a single season since 1967. Clean sheets? Matz Sels has 12, more than any other goalkeeper in the league. Scored first? Forest have taken the lead 22 times, more than any other club, and very rarely lose from that position.

The manager's 50th game in charge saw us move five points clear of Chelsea and six points clear of Manchester City. And that's all before an FA Cup quarter-final — don't forget that Forest had never played at the 'new' Wembley until the Championship play-off final in 2022

Forest finished third back in 1995, qualifying for the Uefa Cup, when only the champions Blackburn Rovers joined Europe's elite competition. The promise of Champions League football remains very real, with a fifth place qualification spot almost in the bag for the Premier League. There are still nine games to go — "a lot of football to be played yet," as Nuno said – but the Reds have been in the top five since early December despite a sticky patch in recent weeks. How many more points do the Reds need to go the distance?

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Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Exactly one year ago, around 2pm, Nottingham Forest were deducted four points and dropped into the Premier League's relegation zone.

The profit and sustainability breach - and punishment which came on 18 March, 2024 - put Forest's top flight future in jeopardy.

The club breached the threshold of £61m by £34.5m while an appeal two months later failed.

It added to a chaotic end to a season, which finished with Forest eventually beating the drop by six points and finishing 17th.

An explosive social media post questioning VAR Stuart Atwell's integrity after defeat at Everton came in April, with referee analyst Mark Clattenburg eventually stepping down two months later.

The fall out did not end until last week when the club lost their appeal against the £750,000 fine for the post.

Fastforward and Forest are on the brink of a remarkable achievement as they close in on Champions League qualification, having also reached the FA Cup quarter finals.

Third in the Premier League with nine games left and a six point advantage to Manchester City in fifth, the likely final place for a Champions League spot, there is no evidence or no signs Forest will implode from here.

They are on the cusp of a new era and returning to the European elite would unlock further riches for a club which has huge potential.

Nuno Espirito Santo has fostered a spirit which has propelled Forest into the top four as they chase a return to Europe for the first time since 1995-96 under Frank Clark.

The spirit is evident to anyone who has seen the squad on the pitch but especially off.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels told BBC Sport: "It's the gaffer who started it at the beginning of the season. Bringing that togetherness and of course, everything has to do with results but we started the season really well and then it's grows during the season.

"Something great started from the beginning of the season, maybe from the training camp in Spain where we were together. There you felt like something is possible."

Forest needed the right characters to add to the group who beat relegation and were surgical in the summer. There was no repeat of the trolley dash when 22 players arrived after promotion in 2022. They knew what they wanted.

Nikola Milenkovic arrived for under £12m from Fiorentina and immediately formed a rock solid partnership with Murillo, while Morato, another summer buy, providing able back-up.

Elliot Anderson, a big money arrival from Newcastle, has added depth and quality with Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva giving Nuno options off the bench.

That, coupled with 18-goal Chris Wood having the season of his life and the continued maturation of Morgan Gibbs-White, has helped build the perfect season for Forest.

From the chaos to the calm, what a difference a year makes.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Morgan Gibbs-White being called up to the England squad in place of the injured Cole Palmer, after initially being left out by Thomas Tuchel on Friday.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: His reaction to Forest fans chanting "England's Number 10" on Saturday was priceless and telling. He's as confused as everyone else. If he's only going there to make up the numbers, as is likely, I'd prefer him to rest up and avoid injury, as he is essential to how we play.

John: MGW is obviously worth an England place. He's a key part of our success and has more than proved his talent, skill and commitment. If we make it into Europe we might keep him but I'm resigned to losing him to the so-called 'big' clubs waving big money. If he does for England what he's done for us, England might actually win something. Good luck to him. He's a real pro.

Kris: Better late than never, he deserves his chance, but it does feel bittersweet. It'd be disastrous to our Champions League ambitions if our key creative player got injured on England duty.

Andrew: Gibbs-White should concentrate on his club which pays his wages and get Forest to Europe. England will still require him when the manager realises he should be asking 'Henderson who?'

Tom: He's the lynchpin of the Forest first team, which is one of the thinnest in the Premier League. Anything that gives us a chance of injury is a bad thing - he's plenty good enough to be in the England squad but with nine games to go I'd rather he wasn't!

Dugu: Gibbs-White should have been in the squad in the first place, not a reserve. 'Big club' players only I guess. Don't bother looking at where Forest are in the table. Anderson deserves a call up as well!

Simon: Should never have been omitted in the first place and I would've been tempted to refuse the call-up. But, he's a top pro and no doubt has ambitions as a regular and World Cup starter. Proud of our Forest talisman and hope he excels but without injury for the run-in towards Champions League.

Image source, Getty Images

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

Here are some of your comments:

Ipswich fans

Alf: Our team has overperformed for two seasons but we were not ready for the Premier League. We need more investment and players. Kieran McKenna has took them to where they are now. Obviously we will get relegated - I just hope McKenna is still here. He's a good coach, but he just doesn't have the skillful players he needs to keep us up.

Paul: Another sobering afternoon at Portman Road as the Premier League light fades. A lot for McKenna to reflect on, including his own stubborn refusal to change the formation. We are too predictable and have no plan B.

Spike: Not great. Majority of the game we weren't too abhorrent, but Forest really tore us apart in a 15-minute span and we never recovered. We scored two good goals but this game sort of epitomises the season for Town.

Simon: George Hirst's goal shows we'll be fine when Liam Delap is sold to a bigger club. Shame we won't take the same kind of risks at the start of the game that we do at the end. We're scared of giving the ball away in the final third but you have to take risks or else you'll never create anything.

Forest fans

Emma: What even is this season? I keep thinking I need to wake up. Unbelievable.

Sean: Keep doing as we've been doing all season, picking the right moment and doing damage to opposition. Anthony Elanga was on fire with the double, and Mr Tuchel will need to start paying attention to Morgan Gibbs-White's assists and work rate.

Al: It says something when I'm actually disappointed we conceded two. Excellent result in an excellent (so far) season.

Andy: Great in moments, but it says a lot about the standard we fans have come to expect when it feels like a defeat conceding two goals to Ipswich. Gibbs-White being a model pro and showing Tuchel what he brings to the table was good to see. All that being said, Europe beckons!

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White has been added to the England squad, after initially being left out of Thomas Tuchel's selection on Friday.

Gibbs-White will will now report to St. George's Park before the Three Lions' opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia at Wembley Stadium.

The 25-year-old was part of England's Under-21 Euros winning team in 2023 and made the first of his two senior appearances last September.

What do you make of the news, Forest fans?

Happy for his call-up or still frustrated he was overlooked at first?

Let us know here.

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's five Premier League fixtures.

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

Listen back to match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Ipswich 2-4 Nottingham Forest

• Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

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Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White brushed off his omission from Thomas Tuchel's first England squad on Friday with a superb display at Portman Road.

The 25-year-old midfielder, who has excelled for Nuno Espirito Santo's side this term delivered the sort of performance that will certainly give the new Three Lions boss food for thought over the coming weeks and months.

Always available to receive the ball, Gibbs-White was constantly looking to make things happen for Forest and appeared to have time and space whenever it found him.

The run and the timing of his pass to allow Jota Silva to score Forest's fourth underlined his class on a day when others, like Elliot Anderson and Callum Hudson-Odoi, also made a case for international inclusion.

Anderson's industry in the heart of midfield and his simple but effective pass to set Anthony Elanga away for Forest's second goal, laid the platform for their impressive victory.

Meanwhile, Hudson-Odoi did not give the ball away with any of his 23 passes and offered a different kind of threat to the raw pace of Elanga on the opposite flank.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "We got that moment right. We got Ipswich unbalanced and took advantage of it.

"Ipswich were always going to react. It was important for us to get the fourth goal after they scored to really put the game to bed. They have character and are intense. It was tough."

On Anthony Elanga scoring twice for the first time in the Premier League: "The first time? He has to do it again. He was huge for us today. Not only the goals he got but also his defensive tasks. He was always in the game.

On the Forest fans: "They have been huge for us. The help and support at the City Ground, and away from home I am delighted they can go back home happy."

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Ipswich'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

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Everton v West Ham

• Southampton v Wolves

• Ipswich Town v Nottingham Forest - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Brighton

• Bournemouth v Brentford (17:30) - full commentary starts on BBC Radio 5 Live Extra

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

I feel like some people don't believe that I am a lifelong Nottingham Forest fan, because I do support about eight other teams too, but there are photos of me as a kid in a new bright red Forest kit at Christmas one year, playing on a little snooker table that my parents had bought me.

So, this is a big game for Bruce and myself. He says the first game he went to at Portman Road in the mid-80s was against Brian Clough's Forest.

Ipswich won 1-0 and his abiding memory is of walking out of Portman Road afterwards and seeing the Forest team bus with Clough, in his green jumper, sitting in the front seat with a face like thunder.

The Tractor Boys desperately need a repeat of that result but I just can't see it happening.

Ipswich pushed Forest all the way in the FA Cup a couple of weeks ago, only losing on penalties, but both teams made changes for that game and I am not sure it will have too much bearing on what happens here.

It feels like it is now or never for Kieran McKenna's side in their fight to stay up, but I have been saying that for a while now and they still haven't won a league game this year.

Forest were impressive when they beat Manchester City last week and, when I think about their attacking players, I am convinced they are going to score enough to win this.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

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.

Image source, Getty Images

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

Image source, Getty Images

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