Nottingham Forest

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest star Chris Wood trusts Nuno Espirito Santo's judgement after being benched for last week's defeat at Arsenal.

The striker played just 27 minutes of the 3-0 loss at Emirates Stadium after the international break. That was because he spent the previous fortnight playing for New Zealand in their World Cup qualifiers, scoring twice in an 8-0 win over Vanuatu and a hat-trick as the All Whites demolished Samoa 8-0.

The 22,000 mile round trip between Nottingham and Auckland meant the 32-year-old was given a breather and he has faith in the decisions made by his boss.

"It's the way the manager wanted it," said Wood before Saturday's game with Ipswich. "I trust what he says and does. He's earned that, from me and from the club. Unfortunately we didn't win the game, but we have to trust what he's doing is the best case for the team.

"I love playing for my country, always have and always will do. We have a big campaign coming up, pushing for the Wold Cup. We have more [qualifiers] in March which will determine if we go to the World Cup.

"It's big high-pressure games that can elevate New Zealand football to a higher level. They mean a lot to me - it's not something I've ever thought about turning down. It's about doing the most I can if the body allows it."

Wood also travelled to America to face Mexico and the USA in September and scored once in the All Whites' 3-0 win over Tahiti in Vanuatu last month.

"Over the years, you learn tricks to put yourself in the best possible recovery status," said Forest's eight-goal top scorer. "We have great physios here and with New Zealand, we can switch into different time zones and loadings which matter massively when you are playing international football.

"I've done it for long enough. I know how to do it. I switch on time zones very easily. I don't see it being an issue at all unless I'm arriving a day before game and that's a different story."

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 13, he takes on boxer Sunny Edwards who is a Chelsea fan.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

For some reason people often think that I am quite petty when it comes to these predictions, and that I occasionally use them to make a point.

So I would like to remind Ipswich fans that I correctly predicted they would draw 1-1 with Manchester United last week and, importantly, the points I earned for that handed me victory in that round of games.

I know that many Ipswich fans were pleased for me and I think it showed that, despite my allegiance to Norwich, I don't hold any grudges against them.

On to this week, and I hope Ipswich get absolutely pumped by Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

I should explain that Forest were my boyhood team, so that is the only reason why I am rooting for them here. Mind you, if Forest play like they did in their previous home game against Newcastle, then I will be sending my replica shirt back to the club shop and giving up on them again.

Being serious, though, I like this Ipswich team. They have got some good players and play some good football. They deserved to beat United and would have done if not for a couple of superb saves by Andre Onana.

Still, I expect Forest to bounce back at the City Ground after two defeats in a row. Chris Wood has to be back in the team after starting last weekend's defeat against Arsenal on the bench, but if he plays then they will come out on top.

Edwards' prediction: 1-1

Ipswich did well against United and their striker Liam Delap is very sought after - we are one of the teams who are supposed to be after him.

Read the full predictions and have your say

Image source, PA Media

BBC Radio Suffolk's Brenner Woolley, speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast about whether Ipswich can look to Nottingham Forest as an example of what they could become: "They undoubtedly are looking along those lines [of what Forest have done].

"Anything outside the bottom three will do this season. I know some fans have got a bit carried away off the back of the past two results, talking about them finishing 15th or 14th, but the vast majority would take 17th place and then build from that base. Like Forest have done and, with all due respects, smaller clubs than Ipswich Town like Bournemouth and Brentford. Look at those as yardsticks and think, 'why not?'

"Once you get to that stage, I can understand why you are looking at Aston Villa or Brighton who have taken the extra step and gone into European competition. That is a lot further down the road for Ipswich Town.

"I understand completely and do see the parallels between the two clubs.

"It is going to be very difficult if the likes of Wolves and West Ham pick up form - they are going to be down there around the bottom four or five, but let's just hope they can finish somewhere in the top two of that mini-league."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Mum's the word when Chris Wood faces Dara O'Shea at the City Ground on Saturday.

The Ipswich defender and Nottingham Forest striker Wood never played with each other but share a special bond.

They were at West Brom and Burnley at different times but Republic of Ireland international O'Shea lived with Wood's parents, Julie and Grant, when he was a young player at the Baggies.

The couple offered Baggies players digs while they were living away from their own homes.

It meant Wood would return home and, on occasion, find O'Shea - who joined Ipswich from Burnley in the summer - relaxing in the living room.

He said: "A couple of times! Unfortunately, I was never too close to Birmingham the times he was there. I was at other clubs across the country. It worked well for Dara and my parents and they have stayed in contact, at least at parent level with his mum and dad.

"It was a nice way to give back and feel part of the club. They've had a number of boys and one of those was Dara, who's done extremely well over the years. He did well at West Brom, when he went to Burnley and now at Ipswich.

"Mum and dad are extremely nice to take in players as digs parents. It's a great way to give back to a club which gave me a huge stepping stone in my career. They took a big chance on a Kiwi boy from New Zealand."

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest winger Callum Hudson-Odoi says the team's "togetherness" is the key to their strong start to this season and they do not believe that they are overachieving by sitting seventh in the Premier League table.

"We can't get distracted or big-headed about what has been happening," said Hudson-Odoi on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast.

"We have to make sure we're pushing ourselves daily to get results because every game is important.

"We have high expectations of ourselves because the quality we have in the squad is amazing. If we push each other every day, as players and fans, then the results will come.

"There is nothing we can't achieve together and it is very important to have that mindset.

"Last season was difficult but we pushed together and got enough to stay in the Premier League. Football is not easy but that togetherness makes us stronger.

"We have a good bond off the pitch."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds