Nottingham Forest

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest winger Jota Silva has given a rare interview and told the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast he is living a "dream" this season.

The 25-year-old, who has vastly improved his English in recent months, told the BBC Radio Nottingham podcast: "I think it's a great season. It's incredible to be here and help the team play this football. In England, this football, it's incredible.

"For me, this is perfect for me and the club. I am very happy to be here. I worked a lot to try to be here so now I arrive and I try to do my best on the pitch, play with my passion that I have for this sport.

"If the coach says he needs me for 90 minutes, I play. If he needs me for five minutes I try for five minutes, try to impact the game and bring energy from the bench. For me the most important is to help the team and do my job.

"We are in the position we are because we don't have a team, we have a squad, a family here. Like the coach said, what we can achieve this season is so special so we work hard every day to achieve this.

"One of the words to describe this team is belief. In the FA Cup games, sometimes you score and go to extra time or penalties and you need belief in ourselves and team-mates. I think this is the word to describe this team, belief and passion.

"For me to play here in the Premier League and FA Cup is a dream. You have the Champions League and Premier League, FA Cup, every cup in this country is so special. We believe in ourselves and our work and we can improve every day."

And, on the prospect of running out at Wembley, the summer signing said: "This is a dream for any kid and any person playing football. I will go to the game to enjoy, with responsibility, but to enjoy."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Manchester City defender Kyle Walker says Ola Aina would get his vote for a place in any Premier League Team of the Season.

Aina, 28, has impressed for Nottingham Forest during their stellar season.

Speaking on The Kyle Walker podcast, the full-back, who is on loan at AC Milan at the moment, said: "If I would have said to you at the start of the season, 'Forest, I think I've seen a stat that they have a 90 % chance of being in the Champions League now'. You'd have said, 'no chance.'

"They've just got players that have been on form. Elanga's been incredible, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Chris Wood has produced the goals that he's produced. I think the commentator the other night said a very good thing that they've kept the team fit for most of the year. They've not been, touch wood, hit with a lot of injuries."

Former Premier League midfielder Michael Brown said: "I tell you who's done well, Kyle. Ola Aina, the right-back. He looks so comfortable and calm and like, in one-v-one situations he just goes, like, 'Go on then...let's go. Take me on!'"

Walker added: "He plays left and right back. He's so quick. I was impressed with him a couple of years back when I played against him and just his calmness on the ball, how he defended in the one-v-one situations. You know, he would definitely get my vote for being either left or right back for the team this season, which is fully deserved."

Listen to The Kyle Walker Podcast here

Guess the current Nottingham Forest player from these three clues:

• I represent Ivory Coast at international level.

• I played under Forest manager Nuno at another Premier League club.

• I started a Europa League quarter-final in 2020.

Come back to this page later on Friday for the answer

Roma, Napoli and two Premier League clubs are interested in signing Nottingham Forest's 24-year-old England winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, who is out of contract next summer. (Sky Sports, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The latest episode of Shut Up And Show More Football is absolutely packed.

Ryan Yates, Jota Silva, some legends, BBC Radio Nottingham's expert voices - they all feature.

It's one you don't want to miss as such a big occasion looms.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what would mean more to you - winning the FA Cup and the glory of lifting a trophy or qualifying for the Champions League?

This is what you said:

Arthur: While qualifying for the Champions League would be great, winning a trophy would live longer in the memory of the fans.

Dave: Given the past two seasons, if we win the FA Cup but "only" qualify for the Europa League, is anyone really going to complain? I know I wouldn't.

Mark: I reckon most fans would love a cup final, which is a big ask as Manchester City have found their touch again. The Champions League would be amazing and financially very good for the club but I would settle for the Europa League and a cup final.

Alex: Champions League would give us more finances to build a team next season. That is more beneficial in the current footballing climate.

Nick: Why not both? City will be favourites on Sunday as Wembley is like a second home to them, but in a one-off game who knows? We won against the same side recently, albeit at home.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City is a game of contrasting styles.

City are not a team known for going on quick breaks and Forest are not a side that keeps a lot of possession. However, they have both ended up being in similar positions in the league, so both systems can work.

In terms of how they go up against each other, I think there is a lot to be said about the value of that first goal.

From a Forest standpoint, taking a lead will give the confidence to believe they can hold on to it in the same way we have seen many times this season already.

They can frustrate their opposition into over-committing at times, meaning they can maybe go and get a second or a third goal while not adjusting their style of play.

For City, if they get the first goal, their ability to control the tempo of a game and possession can frustrate the opposition - especially if you want to try to force them to come out and on to you.

That first goal is going to be key because whoever gets it really will dictate the nature of the game. When sides have similar styles, the first goal could be the first of many and it could be back and forth. I don't necessarily predict that in this one.

It is too close to the end of the season to say that the Champions League is something Forest should not be thinking about, but they are also one win away from having the chance to play for silverware. So I think both things are massive.

The cup final is before the end of the season so Forest could go into it in great shape and with Champions League qualification looking likely anyway, so maintaining good form means both things look after themselves.

These are pinch yourself moments for the Forest fans. If they get one and not the other, they can decide how they feel about that afterwards. In the moment, as soon as you play down one thing, it can affect the other.

Forest are a robust team, tough to play against, and they have enough talent to win at home and on the road. Cup games are one-offs but I think they have got enough to be able to reach the Champions League.

Among the players, there will be belief and Nuno Espirito Santo will believe too.

The fans will be a little bit nervous, but they know the team is good enough to be able to do well given what they have done so far this season.

What would mean more to you - winning the FA Cup and the glory of lifting a trophy, or qualifying for the Champions League?

Let us know here

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Nottingham Forest will target 22-year-old Manchester City midfielder James McAtee if City move for their 25-year-old playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Nottingham Forest, Arsenal and Newcastle have all registered an interest in Wolves striker Matheus Cunha. (Talksport, external)

Forest also have set their sights on Scottish defender Dara Jikiemi, 15, who has caught the eye in Celtic's academy. (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

Much has been made of Nottingham Forest's possession this season. Or rather lack of it. Averaging just 39.3% per game, the Reds have been called the antidote to modern football.

In the age of pressing, passing, turnovers and xG, Forest have maintained their low ball retention of recent seasons but added a pragmatic yet ruthless approach to games. And while the naysayers might look at the statistics and call it anti-football, they're not watching what's in front of them.

This team of skillful, technical players are exhilarating and entertaining to watch at their best. The transition from defence to attack, the blistering pace, the exquisite cross-field passes, the clinical finishing… Forest's ability to score first — the best record in the Premier League, by a country mile — and their determination to protect that lead is something to marvel.

And while Tottenham Hotspur fans may sniff at Monday night's result, their potentially season-defining win last Thursday at Eintracht Frankfurt was achieved by defending a 1-0 win with… 39% possession.

Brian Clough's 18-year reign at the City Ground was built on basic fundamentals, some of which were already in the club's DNA. His instructions to the players were very simple while the style was very much based on a strong backbone, absorbing pressure and playing on the counterattack; this tactic was heavily leaned upon when playing away, especially in Europe.

Nuno Espírito Santo clearly has a long way to go before emulating Old Big 'Ead but what we are seeing this season is, in essence, classic Forest. And while it might nod to the past, it's certainly not old fashioned by any means. As ever in football, it's not how long you keep the ball but what you do with it.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's performance in their 2-1 win against Tottenham.

Here are some of your comments:

Sean: For all the huff and puff Tottenham gave us in the second half, it never looked in doubt after Chris Wood's goal. Committed performance from all players in red - Harry Toffolo clearing off the line was legendary, Matz Sels' close-range block of Richarlison after a defensive mix-up equally so. We were full of that level of commitment, covering each other, working hard together. A good warm-up for Wembley at the weekend.

Andy: Forest dominate games without the ball. Ruthless approach to winning football matches. Brilliant.

Jil: Great comeback from back-to-back defeats. Toffolo's clearance was incredible - I'm so pleased he had a great game. Hearing all the fans sing his name... magic!

Doug: A very good performance considering the pressure we were under following recent results around us. We took control of the game early on and made it count. Well done, you Reds.

Rob: Forest did what they needed to do, especially with Ola Aina out injured. That said, Nuno Espirito Santo's change of formation in his backline was made too early and almost cost us the game.

Ross: Thrilled for Wood to get back on the scoreboard. What an instrumental figure in Forest's success this season. A real workhorse and classy finisher!

Luke: A terrifying second half to watch. I always feel like we shut up shop too soon, but you can't argue with it when we get results. Immense credit to Nuno for the way the team is drilled, just got to keep it together for another five fixtures. What a time to be alive!

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo to BBC Match of the Day: "It was a big improvement. We reacted well from the previous game. There was a clear intention to bounce back and the boys did well.

"We controlled the game really well in the first half. We had goals, but also Tottenham created chances in the second half and we had to hold on to what we had.

"I don't believe it impacts us if we play before or after [our rivals]. The way we approach it is game by game.

"We've been able, this season, to compete well and fight for every ball. The boys did it.

"We have a big week ahead of us. We want to recover the players and we can enjoy this.

"If you look back at the first half, Tottenham created a lot of problems for us in wide areas. We had Matz [Sels] at a high level to keep us in the game. You have to remember we are playing quality players."

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have won 53% ( nine of 17) of their Premier League away games this season, their best win percentage on the road in a campaign in the competition. Only Liverpool have won more away games across 2024-25 in the top flight (11).

Gary Rose
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Wood timed it right to end his goal drought as his 19th of the season in the Premier League helped his side secure a crucial win at Tottenham that boosts Nottingham Forest's Champions League hopes.

The veteran striker has been instrumental to Forest's surprise form this term but the goals had dried up from mid-February and that also threatened to damage his side's push to finish in the top five as back-to-back losses, coupled with the weekend's results for other Europe hopefuls, had seen Forest slip to sixth.

But Wood was back to his best on Monday night with his goal - a deft flicked header over the goalkeeper - making it 2-0 and giving Forest the breathing space they needed.

With five Premier League games remaining, plus an FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City, Wood's return to scoring could be pivotal to what Forest can achieve this season.

Were you at the game or following elsewhere?

Have your say on Tottenham's performance

What did you make of Nottingham Forest's display?

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

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says everyone should be proud of what the club have achieved so far this season as they look forward to playing in Sunday's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

Forest have been one of the surprise stories of the season, sitting near the top of the Premier League since the autumn.

And, although back-to-back defeats have raised the possibility of Forest falling at the final hurdle in their quest to finish in the top five, Nuno hopes people can focus on the positives with six games to go.

"It is what everyone should feel," he said. "They should feel proud and committed to the final sprint of the competition.

"I think so. That's why we as a group and as a club are proud to be in this fight.

"In one week's time we will be speaking about another huge moment for us, so we embrace it.

"We are delighted. The criticisms will come, the opinions will come, the doubts will come - and we are here for that."

Nottingham Forest are the counter-attack kings and they have the tools to get another win like the one they got over Spurs at the City Ground in December, where they had 30% of possession but won 1-0.

Forest have hit a bit of a blip of late, though, and they don't appear to be quite the same force they were a few weeks ago.

They are desperate for a win to get their top-five bid back on track and Nuno Espirito Santo's would love to get it on his return to Tottenham, where he did not last long as manager, but a draw feels more likely to me.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say