Nottingham Forest

Ben Ramsdale
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Arsenal (kick-off 19:30 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno confirmed that there are a few players carrying knocks that will need to be assessed before Wednesday evening's match but didn't disclose who.

• He said three defeats in the last four Premier League games is simply "the reality of the game" and all part of the club's journey.

• On the recent good form at home and whether they can take confidence from that going into the Arsenal game: "I hope so. We hope that the City Ground helps us because we need all the help that we can get against such a tough opponent. We hope the City Ground can give us the energy and atmosphere."

• When asked about finishing above Arsenal, Nuno said that the team's ambition is to simply "be better than in previous games."

• He dismissed a question on whether Forest are in the title race, stating: "We chase the next game, that is all that is on our minds. We want to chase everything that we want to achieve."

• Finally, on what he has learned about the side in adversity: "We react better than before. We didn't react to a tough time at Bournemouth but we reacted well against Newcastle. We were able to revert the momentum of the game. That was positive but not enough."

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

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

The question Nottingham Forest haven't really faced this season is: how do they progress? Given that the Reds still remain third in the Premier League, it's not an issue they've had to address.

But Sunday's first-half performance against Newcastle United, following away losses at Bournemouth and Fulham, suggest that long-term there is a fundamental problem they must face.

Soaking up pressure, drawing the opposition in, and hitting teams on the break has served Forest very well in the Premier League. In reality, it's part of the club's DNA going back decades.

Forest's away form in the early part of the season - and they still maintain one of the best away records in the division - is what propelled them to the heady heights they find themselves in at the moment.

However, meek performances at Manchester City, Arsenal and now Fulham and Newcastle in recent weeks prove the growing pains that we inevitably had to deal with.

Nuno, of course, will no doubt have a plan for the summer and pragmatism remains all-important for clubs seeking to break into the top six. Some questions aren't answered easily.

And maybe the answer isn't necessarily dominating the ball: Liverpool comfortably beat Manchester City on Sunday with just 34% possession. Perhaps that era is in flux and Forest's usual defensive solidity and focus on quick transition doesn't need too much tweaking.

But giving up possession too easily definitely seemed counterintuitive on Sunday - leading to an unforgivable first-half 11-minute disaster - and imposing ourselves on the game definitely seems something our talented squad have proven to be capable of. The second-half performance certainly offered a glimpse of the Forest we've been used to this season.

For now, we know that our home form - combined with that inimitable atmosphere and a little bit of confidence - makes Wednesday's all-important game against Arsenal that little bit less daunting.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Newcastle may have fallen over the line in seeing off Nottingham Forest but their endeavour during the win was noteworthy.

The Magpies clocked 109.6km of running as a team compared to 103.47km for Forest.

Furthermore, the Magpies produced 173 sprints, with Forest on 35 fewer.

Are Nuno Espirito Santo's side running out of steam given their superb season so far? Or are Eddie Howe's side finding that extra bit of hustle at the business end of the campaign?

Bruno Guimaraes (11.7km) and Lewis Miley (11.2km) broke the 11km barrier, with no Forest player doing so.

Left-back Lewis Hall was the busiest player on the day with a game-high 96 touches. He completed 89% of his passes, including an impressive 92% of passes he attempted in the final third.

No player had more duels than Hall's 17 and the former Chelsea player won 11 of them. Hall created three chances on the day, with only Forest's Chris Wood reaching the same figure.

You've heard the cliche - now we can show it.

The above graphic, newly available via the Match Stats tab on every Premier League match report, demonstrates starkly how the pendulum swung in Sunday's ding-dong game between Newcastle and Nottingham Forest.

Essentially, the visual represents every minute of the game and shows the likelihood each team had of scoring in that moment of the match.

The more likely a goal for a team, the bigger the bar.

So in the first half, the glut of yellow bars represents just how dominant Newcastle were, obviously having four goals to show for it.

However, after the break, back came Forest, and the swathe of white demonstrates their pressure on the Newcastle goal and just how close they came to getting back on terms.

To get into the weeds of how it works, check out our full explainer here and make sure to keep an eye out on every game your team plays in the Premier League from now on.

• Not a Newcastle fan? Find and follow your team's page here

Image source, Getty Images

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

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Anth: Elation, frustration, stress and then panic left me in an emotional puddle! From Mount Everest to the ocean floor! A game of two halves just doesn't do that justice. I'm grateful for the three points and loved the first half but I had to borrow fingernails at the end as the second half screeched towards its inevitable excruciating conclusion. Liverpool looming fills me with not a little trepidation!

Tony: Howe says we are at our best when we play free-flowing, attacking football and that's what we did in the first half and blew Forest away, we were unplayable. Second half was abysmal and we let Forest get a foothold, get back into the game and get hope. This side is either brilliant or awful with no in between.

Davy: Three valuable points and back to winning ways. However, lots still to be concerned about. Sloppy passing throughout and constantly losing possession. Made what should have been an easy victory into a difficult one. Three points though and a magnificent performance from Lewis Hall.

Mark: The defensive implosion, not just in this game but in recent games in general, has been very worrying. That's seven conceded in our past two in the league, or 14 in the last five. That's not going to get us Champions League football, no matter what Alexander Isak does at the other end. No game has better summed up just how devastating we can be, both to ourselves and opponents.

Forest fans

Brian: Obviously we were awful in the first half. Sloppy and gave the ball away far too much. Newcastle deserved to be three goals ahead. Second half we were a different team. Could even have won if we'd been more clinical. Callum Hudson-Odoi, Elliot Anderson and Ola Aina were brilliant. Might be looking through rose-tinted but if we play like we did in the second half, we can beat Arsenal and Manchester City.

John: Forest can't give away four goals like that in half an hour and remain credible in a high position. Shades of the Bournemouth defeat. We managed three but were chasing the game and must sort the defence out as dropping Morato weakened us. Geordies' day, not ours…

Jamie: Momentum killed by that poor free-kick decision, and then we panicked and had everything go their way. Happy to see us fight back - that's what we need to be. Two more tough games that we can possibly get points from to get back on track for a great finish.

Ken: Nuno should instead explain why we couldn't play in the first half - after we scored - like we did for the whole of the second. If those players went into their shell of their own accord, then he's lost the dressing room. If he coached them to do that, then it's his fault. One or the other. It's not the first time either - Bournemouth... Fulham... Interesting that Murillo and Aina have been useless since their contract talks began.

Highlights and analysis from Sunday's two Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from the rest of the weekend.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

And you can watch Saturday's Match of the Day here.

Listen back to the weekend's full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Arsenal 0-1 West Ham

• Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea

• Newcastle 4-3 Nottingham Forest

• Man City 0-2 Liverpool

Alex Brotherton
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo had mixed feelings about his side's performance at St James' Park.

His side were "unrecognisable" in the first half as they conceded four times in the space of 11 minutes, but in the second half they looked much more like a team that has European football in their sights.

Forest netted the opening goal in a Premier League game for the 20th time this season - more than any other side - but gave themselves too much to do after the break.

"It was a big gap to to try and recover from. The reaction was very good. We gave it our all and we created a lot of chances against Newcastle and believed we could win the game," Espirito Santo told BBC Match of the Day.

"The reaction was good, I think the team was more recognisable. We played good and were positive going forward. This pleased me the most."

With back-to-back games against Arsenal and Manchester City coming up, Forest must pick themselves up and go again.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to Sky Sports: "First half, clearly Newcastle better. Second half was better but unfortunately not enough. Too bad, too soon.

"It's about trying to settle down, calm down and try to be ourselves. In the first half I didn't recognise our team In the second half we were much better.

"I don't know, this is what I'm going to work on now. This is a game which is good to reflect on.

"We made mistakes. Newcastle made mistakes also. But it was two totally different halves. We started well, we scored, and they just rolled over us.

"There was nothing else in the first half about us. Every time Newcastle had the ball they scored.

"I wish there was 10 minutes added on. We needed that time. We were on top, Newcastle were on the ropes. With 10 minutes I think we can get something from this game."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have lost three of their last four Premier League games (W1), as many as in their previous 16 (W11 D2 L3).

Since the start of last season, no player has scored more Premier League goals from outside the box than Forest's Callum Hudson-Odoi (7), who has scored all four of his league goals this season from outside the penalty area.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Forest's display?

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

Two matches make up Sunday's Premier League action and we will bring you every kick.

• Newcastle v Nottingham Forest (14:00) - follow the action here

• Man City v Liverpool (16:30) - follow the action here

All kick-off times GMT

Full commentary of both games on BBC Radio 5 Live

As the BBC's predictions expert I always try to go with my head and not my heart.

That's what I am doing with this game, which is big for both teams in the battle for the top four.

I'd love to say my boyhood club, Nottingham Forest, will respond to their defeat at Fulham but this game is actually quite simple for me to predict because I am expecting Newcastle to bounce back from their woeful performance and result against Manchester City last weekend.

I just think there will be a big reaction from Alexander Isak, who was kept really quiet by City, and a real response from their whole team.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

With the Premier League likely to receive five spots in next season's Champions League, former Liverpool and England defender Stephen Warnock tells The Football News Show why this could represent the best chance for a generation for Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth to realise their unlikely European ambitions.

Watch The Football News Show on iPlayer

Image source, Getty Images

Nikola Milenkovic has said the togetherness within the Nottingham Forest squad has been a key reason for the team's successful 2024-25 campaign to date.

Milenkovic, 27, has started 24 of Forest's 25 Premier League games this season after joining from Fiorentina last summer.

Forest are third in the table with 13 games left, raising hopes of qualification for European competition next season.

"Our strength is the group," Serbia centre-back Milenkovic told BBC Radio Nottingham. "We are so solid, it's a great atmosphere and we have great chemistry in the group.

"Everyone who goes on the pitch gives 101%. Eleven players play defensively and 11 players play offensively. Everything we do, we do it together on the pitch."

Their next three league games are against Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester City - all sides alongside them in the top seven.

Asked about it being an exciting time to be at Forest, Milenkovic added: "We will try to do our best for our incredible fans, who give us very big support playing home or playing away.

"They really support us, we really feel it and we will try to repay that on the pitch and make them happy."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

George Booth
BBC Sport journalist

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

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Forward Taiwo Awoniyi is available to play after suffering a broken nose in the FA Cup victory over Exeter. Nuno said: "Yes, yes, it is clear on the concussion protocol. So, he is available. He will have to wear a mask, but he is a available."

• On facing Newcastle: "There is no secret in football. We face a good team and a good manager [Eddie Howe] - a manager who has good players that perform very well. We have to fight and show our talent."

• On Alexander Isak: "Very good player, but like I said, the squad of Newcastle is very strong in all the positions."

• Nuno said Forest must be better "all over the place" after being beaten 2-1 last weekend at Fulham. "We have to compete better. That's what we will be trying to do. We are reaching the moment of the season that everyone will be fighting for their own objectives," he added.

• On midfielder Elliot Anderson, who will face his old team: "He is one of our midfielders who is versatile enough to change positions. He is doing well, but I hope he performs better on Sunday. He has a long way [to go]. He is very young and he is very talented, but there are so many details to improve. You can see that he is doing well."

• On Forest's season so far: "We have competed well and this is what we expect in the final stage of the season. The games will be more difficult and we have to deal with everything that's all around - the expectations, our own beliefs and moments of the players."

• Although Nottingham Forest's strong form has slowed down, Nuno said: "I don't change my approach. We have to keep the same routine and approach it day by day - look at all the details which enable us to compete well. This is what we're focused on."

• On Forest's league position: "We are OK. We are in a good position. We are enjoying ourselves, realising every game is difficult. This is where we are. We are trying to compete till the end and do it well, but always believing that we're in a good position. We have a healthy squad and we have solutions."

For all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to Newcastle v Nottingham Forest on BBC Radio 5 Live at 14:00 on Sunday

Image source, Getty Images

Former Nottingham Forest defender Brian Laws, speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast: "This season has been remarkable to say the least. It has been brilliant. It has been well deserved and it has not been a fluke.

"Now we want it to continue because we're starting to feel the vibes that there is potential for Europe."

Forest are third in the Premier League after 25 games, three points clear of reigning champions Manchester City in fourth.

On Forest's next three league games, Laws said: "They [Newcastle, Arsenal and Manchester City] are three daunting teams, aren't they? Normally, we would be looking at this run and thinking: 'Where are we going to get points from?'

"Actually, we are going into these three games and do we fear these teams? No. We're in a strong position."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Nottingham Forest defender James Perch, speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up and Show More Football podcast about Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson: "I love him as a player. He can collect the ball from the back four and drive through the midfield, and create or look to shoot himself. He is like an old-school box-to-box midfielder who can do anything.

"He can play in the 10 position and link up with the striker, but he can also do the defensive work, he can pick up the ball from the back line and dictate play from there."

Since moving to Forest from Newcastle last summer, Anderson has made 20 Premier League starts, scored one goal and registered five assists.

Asked if Anderson could break into the England squad, Perch added: "Yes I think so, if he adds goals to his game, I think he's a top, top midfielder and one of the best English players in that position.

"He knows the more he keeps performing at the level he is now, he will be getting that call-up for England."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

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

Elliot Anderson talks to Colin Fray about the season so far, plus hear from former Forest defender James Perch on why he thinks the midfielder will play for England.

Former Reds defender Brian Laws also joins the podcast to give his predictions for the rest of the campaign.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

The City Ground is set to host England in a friendly against Senegal in June - the first time a men's senior match has been played at the stadium in 84 years.

The last time England visited Nottingham Forest's ground was a wartime friendly against Wales in 1941 - a game won 4-1 by the Three Lions. The last time a competitive England match was held there was in 1909, also against Wales.

"While I know Wembley is our home, I also understand the importance of taking the team around the country when we are able to and the opportunity to experience playing at a famous old English stadium, such as the City Ground, is one we can all look forward to," said new England boss Thomas Tuchel.

Image source, Getty Images

Among all players to have 50 or more shots while playing for a manager on record since 2003-04, Chris Wood under Nuno Espirito Santo has the best shot conversion rate (35%, 29 goals from 83 shots).