Nottingham Forest

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

There are many reasons that relegation would be terrible for Nottingham Forest, but the thing that would hurt most is the thought of losing some of the best talent we've seen on Trentside this century.

It goes without saying that Morgan Gibbs-White lights up the City Ground whenever he sets foot on the pitch. Similarly, Murillo is the kind of defender who seems to have everything — except height, perhaps — but that's where his partnership with Willy Boly excels.

Anthony Elanga's blistering pace has defined the best of the Reds' attack this season, while on the other wing Callum Hudson-Odoi was a deserved player of the match against Sheffield United on Saturday. In goal, Matz Sels has revived a beleaguered back line.

I could go on - and let's not forget Ryan Yates' first Premier League goal - but there is the nucleus of a good squad here. There have been games when that was not exactly evident, games when very few looked worthy of the Garibaldi.

But it takes time to gel, to grow and to progress. That has been Forest's biggest problem while in the Premier League. There has been poor and wasteful recruitment, with so much change that it is difficult for everything to settle.

A lot of players will leave the City Ground this summer but, as long as the final two games of the season are not disastrous, it should only be those who are surplus to requirements. Not the fire sale of talent we have grown to love.

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club, external

On the latest episode of Monday Night Club, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says the points deduction situation has been unfair on Burnley and Luton, describing it as an "absolute shambles".

Listen to the full episode here

BBC Sport's chief football writer Phil McNulty has been answering your questions on all things Premier League.

Jack asked: Given our place in the league, how likely is top flight survival now? If we do stay up, where would you invest in securing our side?

Phil answered: I actually think top-flight survival is quite likely now. It was a good weekend for Forest with their vital win at Sheffield United alongside Luton Town failing to beat Everton on Friday and Burnley losing to Newcastle United.

I also believe Forest have got a decent (not to mention very big) squad which should be doing a lot better. My main concern would be losing Morgan Gibbs-White and how Forest would then go about replacing such an influential figure.

One thing we do know from past history is that it will not be a quiet summer, but I do think Forest will stay up now.

We asked for your views on Saturday's match between Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your answers:

Sheffield United fans

Sam: A rubbish season summed up. No fight from the players, or fans for that matter. Sad really, so much hope at the end of last year that was decimated in preseason and played out as expected throughout the season. Faith in football gone.

David: The Blades have never got going this season. We were always going to struggle as we are just not good enough and we lost some really good players from last season. It is OK blooding youngsters but not at the expense of Premier League survival. We need a few seasons in the Championship to build a side that CAN compete in the top flight. No magic from Chris Wilder.

Eric: Same old white flag. If we don’t have a clear out from top to bottom, I can see us going straight through to League One.

Graham: Chris Wilder promised the squad would be much stronger after January window - we weren't. He said players signed would be first-team players to make a difference - [Ivo] Grbic & Holgate [Mason] both not in the team now. There is a lack of leadership and he chose Holgate as captain instead of signing [Joe] Worrall. In League One, he made some good signings but many have been iffy since. Now there are [Gustavo] Hamer rumours - very I am worried about rebuild prospects.

Nottingham Forest fans

Martin: We weren’t perfect, but we were the better side and made it count. We improved in the second half and largely managed the match well. Odds of relegation so much lower now but not quite over the line. Great stuff.

Doug: A very important result for us, but it’s not a time to be complacent. We must be fully focused on the next two games to make sure we get the points we need to stay up.

Paul: Still make me feel nervous when defending though with [Willy] Boly back and alongside Murillo we seemed more secure. I wish they wouldn't back off until near their own penalty area before challenging an attacker. [But] thought the referee had a good game as hardly noticed him.

Trickytwigg: A game we should be expecting to win if we're serious about staying in the Premier League. That said, a solid performance. MGW had one of his more frustrating days but great to see Yatesy get his goal. We need to go again though!

Image source, Getty Images

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Jermaine Jenas says Callum Hudson-Odoi is "back to his best" after his two goals fired Nuno Espirito Santo's side to victory over Sheffield United, edging them closer to Premier League survival.

Hudson-Odoi struggled with injuries during his time at Chelsea, but is enjoying a consistent run in the Forest starting XI and has remained fit throughout the season.

"It was Callum Hudson-Odoi who shone for Forest," Jenas told Match of the Day. "The quality was there to see.

"So much has been spoken about him. Technically it's an incredible finish for the first goal on the bounce - a bit of top spin and bend it to get it into that corner, it's a real quality finish.

"Every time he came down the left hand side he sat [Jayden] Bogle down.

"To see him back at his best in a Forest shirt is great to see. He had his injuries at Chelsea - a ruptured Achilles - and he got off to a bit of a slower start at Forest.

"But once he gets the starts - 14 starts now he's had - everything then starts to come from that."

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright added: "You're just hoping now he can get a run if Forest stay up and show us what he's really capable of."

Watch Match of the Day on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

BBC commentator Maz Farookhi says Nottingham Forest's second-half performance away at Sheffield United on Saturday felt "season defining".

Ryan Yates' first Premier League goal and Callum Hudson-Odoi's second of the match secured the win at Bramall Lane and opened up a three point cushion to Luton in the final relegation place, with Forest also sporting a significantly better goal difference.

"Chris Sutton described defeat for Burnley against Newcastle at Turf Moor as perhaps season defining," Farookhi told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"It certainly feels like this second-half display here at Bramall Lane for Nottingham Forest is that too in terms of bringing them positive momentum in this relegation scrap, especially when you see some of the celebrations from their fans in that away end at the final whistle.

"They had to come from behind as well Nuno Espirito Santo's side after a rash tackle early from Gonzalo Montiel on Ben Brereton-Diaz. But, Callum Hudson-Odoi was crucial with two lovely finishes from the edge of the area.

"Morgan Gibbs-White was also excellent with really big performances in the second half from Forest players all over the pitch. Games to come now against Chelsea and Burnley.

"The fight may go down to the last day but it feels far more in Forest's hands now after that second-half performance."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis from Friday and Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

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

And you can watch highlights of Sunday's games on Match of the Day 2 here.

Listen back to Saturday's BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries in full:

• Burnley v Newcastle United

• Manchester City v Wolves

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "Yeah it is class and I am just buzzing we got the win. First half we were lacklustre and I am so glad that we got the win, to be honest.

"I think we were naturally growing in the game anyway. They haven't won a lot of games this season but when they get flowing, they can cause problems.

"Our goal killed the momentum and the game opened up and we had space that we exploited with Callum [Hudson-Odoi] and Anthony [Elanga].

"I just love playing football on this stage. It is an absolute, pleasure. Would I rather be mid-table now? Yes. But it is part and parcel of football and it is up to us to get out of it."

On his swimming celebration: "For a long, long time, they have been singing 'If Yatesy scores, we're in the Trent'. Hopefully, they will be bringing that back as it sort of died off! I am just delighted really."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It is a weird sensation. For the players and especially for the fans. Since I arrived, all the things we have produced on the pitch made us think maybe this moment would come before.

"We reacted really well after Sheffield scored. It says a lot about the character. It is not over. We made good step but it is not over.

"We reacted when Sheffield United scored. We conceded but then went and chased the game. It was important that Callum [Hudson-Odoi] scored before half-time and I think we were dominant in the second half and had more chances to score but it was a good performance."

On Ryan Yates' first Premier League goal: "I am really happy for him. He is an important player for us."

On Willy Boly's return to the starting XI: "He was away too much time, unfortunately. Because of all the things he gives to the team. We missed him."

On the relegation battle: "It is very important that we stick with advantages. It is in our hands and we cannot lose that. We decide our own destiny."

Sam Drury
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Sometimes winning is all that matters.

In different circumstances, there might be more focus on the way Nottingham Forest were cut apart and overpowered by Sheffield United in the first half.

But not today. Forest needed three points and that is what they took from Bramall Lane.

Of course, they rode their luck before the break but they also made it count in the second half.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored with two excellent curling strikes - and was the width of the post away from a hat-trick - while Ryan Yates could hardly have picked a better time to score his first Premier League goal.

The celebrations that followed his powerful effort showed the delight, and no shortage of relief, felt by the Forest players having come from behind.

They were switched on when play resumed, got their third goal and from that point, it was more comfortable.

Discussions on the reasons for such a lacklustre first 45 minutes in a game so important can come in the summer.

Today was about winning and that win means those talks are far more likely to come as part of plans for a third straight year in the Premier League.

• Nottingham Forest picked up their first away Premier League victory since a 3-1 win at Newcastle on Boxing Day, ending their seven-game winless run on the road. Indeed, this was just their fourth away league victory since the start of last season (P37 W4 D9 L24).

• Sheffield United have conceded 100 Premier League goals in 2023-24, the joint-most by a side in a single season in the competition’s history (Swindon also 100 in 42 games in 1993-94), while the last side to concede more in a 38-game top-flight campaign was Leicester City in 1908-09 (102).

• Sheffield United have failed to win any of their last five Premier League games in which they’ve gone 1-0 up, losing each of their last three in a row (D2),

• This was just the third time Nottingham Forest have ever won a Premier League away game having conceded first, also coming from behind to beat Leeds in April 1996 and Newcastle on Boxing Day this season.

• Sheffield United have been shown five red cards in the Premier League this season, their most in a single league campaign since 2010-11 (12 in the Championship).

• Despite not making his debut until late January, no player has scored more Premier League goals for Sheffield United this season than Ben Brereton Díaz (6). However, the Blades have failed to win any of the five games in which he’s found the back of the net (D2 L3).

• Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates scored his first ever Premier League goal in this game becoming the ninth different player to score in each of England’s top four tiers since the start of the 2017-18 season.

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored twice as Nottingham Forest took a big step towards Premier League survival by beating already-relegated Sheffield United.

Ben Brereton Diaz's penalty put the home side ahead at Bramall Lane before Hudson-Odoi's superb curling effort brought Forest level midway through the first half.

The Blades responded well but missed a host of first-half chances and were punished when Ryan Yates put the visitors ahead with a thumping effort six minutes after the break.

Hudson-Odoi then made sure of a vital three points for Nuno Espirito Santo's side when he cut inside and bent the ball past Blades goalkeeper Wes Foderingham into the far corner.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Sheffield United fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Forest fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's matches, he takes on Kings of Leon drummer Nathan Followill.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

This has to be seen as an open goal for Nottingham Forest.

They did well against Manchester City last week despite being beaten, but now they need to follow that up with a repeat performance that gets them the result they need.

Forest's focus has to be on how they play, rather than who is the referee or video assistant referee. If they can do that, they should beat a fragile-looking Sheffield United, who are already down.

The Blades played well in the first half against Newcastle last week but capitulated in the end.

With 97 Premier League goals conceded already this season, it looks very likely they will end up passing the century mark there - but will it happen on Saturday?

Nathan's prediction: 0-2

Read all of the predictions here

There are five Premier League matches taking place today and we will keep you updated on all of them.

Full commentary:

• Burnley v Newcastle, 15:00 - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Man City v Wolves, 17:30 - BBC Radio 5 Live

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham before Nottingham Forest's game against Sheffield United on Saturday and the club's chances of survival.

Forest start the next round of fixtures with a one-point cushion over third-from-bottom Luton, who will climb out of the relegation zone on Friday if they win their game at home to Everton.

On facing the Blades, Forest Nuno said: "It's an very important game. We are aware of the responsibility and what it means for the club. It's in our hands. We go game by game knowing that a win over Sheffield United means that it would be still up to us to decide our own future.

"We don't know exactly how they will turn up in terms of shape. Chris [Wilder] is known for his 3-5-2 but recently there has been a slight change in the previous games. They have been relegated already, so is Chris be preparing his future in terms of player selection for next season? We don't know.

"Let's focus on ourselves and prepare for how we want to play. We want to control the game, we want to be dominant. We must to take positives from our last performance against a really tough team [Manchester City]."

He added: "I believe that the only way we can achieve what we want is by playing good, by fighting and the attitude cannot change."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Mark Clattenburg has announced that he has stepped down from his role as a referee consultant at Nottingham Forest.

The former Premier League referee began working with the club earlier this year.

Clattenburg said in a statement: "I performed my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my abilities and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match official to help Nottingham Forest understand how decisions in relation to key match incidents are made amid the workings of VAR.

"However, it is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services has caused unintended friction between Forest and other participants, to the extent that it has become more of a hindrance than help to Forest. It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits."

He added: "I am grateful to Forest and wish them all the best during the remainder of the season and in the future. It's been an honour."

Image source, Reuters

Anthony Elanga says Nottingham Forest have a "fantastic opportunity to show what we're about" as they bid to secure Premier League safety and a third successive season in the top flight.

Forest are one point above the relegation zone with three games left to play, starting with Saturday's trip to already-relegated Sheffield United.

"It's in our hands," said the former Manchester United winger on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast.

"We've showed this season that we can play. Things haven't gone our way. We've conceded a lot from set-pieces and that's something we want to work on.

"But we've got three games - it's all in our hands and it's exciting.

"These are the moments when you see the players with big personalities stepping up. I certainly want to step up and show that I've got the personality to do that. It's a fantastic opportunity to show what we're about."

Speaking about next opponents Sheffield United, Elanga added: "If you're in the Premier League, you're in there for a reason.

"Even if you're at the bottom, you can still give problems to other teams - so we have to be ready for that, stay focused and make sure we go to Bramall Lane feeling confident."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Senior Football News Reporter

Image source, Getty Images

As Nottingham Forest wait for their profit and sustainability (PSR) appeal verdict they still have the issue of surviving in the Premier League.

Saturday's trip to relegated Sheffield United represents another chance to put distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Rows over refereeing decisions, VAR and their PSR appeal has taken the heat off poor results this year, which have left them a point above the relegation zone.

Just two wins in 15 has stopped Forest moving away and Nuno Espirito Santo has avoided serious criticism over results.

The performance in Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Manchester City was positive but Forest would take a scrappy victory at Bramall Lane.

Will Premier League survival go down to the last day?

On the latest episode of BBC Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss the relegation fight and what Nottingham Forest need from the remaining three games.

They also catch up with forward Anthony Elanga, who speaks of the "positivity and good vibes" around the team, despite it "not being an easy" season.

Listen in full on BBC Sounds