Nottingham Forest

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Tottenham have lost 17 Premier League matches in 2024-25, their most in a single season since the 2003-04 campaign (19). Ange Postecoglou is one of three managers to lose 17 or more games in a season, alongside Osvaldo Ardiles in 1993-94 (19) and Gerry Francis in 1996-97 (18).

Nottingham Forest have lost their past two Premier League matches, after winning three consecutive games beforehand. The Reds have only fallen to three defeats in a row once under Nuno Espirito Santo, doing so between February and March last season.

Nottingham Forest are planning to open new contract talks with winger Callum Hudson-Odoi. (Football Insider), external

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Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game at Tottenham (20:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno confirmed Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi did not train with the squad on Thursday and will have to be assessed before Monday's game as they are "still carrying some problems".

• On Chris Wood, who returned from injury as a substitute in the loss to Everton on Saturday: "We have to manage Chris. He has been out for a while. Everton was good but not as good as we want. We are positive that on Monday he will be better."

• Nuno is focused on his side after two defeats in a row and positive results for the teams around them: "The blow is we were not able to perform as well as we wish, especially in the last game. That was the blow. In regards to the other teams, nothing has changed since the last weeks. It is in our hands and we cannot control them. Now it is about reacting and improving."

• On embracing expectations: "The expectation around us started the moment we were able to perform and get results. We are delighted, we embrace the challenge. We're not stepping back, we're stepping in. We want to try to get it. It's going to be very hard but, believe me, we are putting everything in this final stage of the season."

• When asked about Spurs' big Europa League quarter-final second leg at Frankfurt on Thursday, Nuno said: "We are going to watch the game. It's a big game and, for us, for analysis. It will determine what we expect for the Monday night line-up. Our focus is on that."

• On pressure on Tottenham counterpart Ange Postecoglou: "All managers, we face the same. It's up to us to try to ignore and focus on the job we can control. Like me, like Ange, like all the managers in the world, what we can control is preparing our players."

• On having a clear week to prepare for Spurs: "It was good. Many of them are struggling with some situations. A clear week was good for us because it allowed us to recover the players and not push them immediately after a big effort."

Follow all of Thursday's football news

Saveena Johal
Fan writer

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Nottingham Forest's chances of European football might have been statistically higher a few weeks ago but we are a club excellent at breaking the norms when it comes to statistics. Sitting in the top four with such low possession per game is a reflection of this.

The fanbase appears largely divided, though. Some seem despondent about recent games, others remain hopeful while holding on to the perspective gained from recent seasons. My thoughts sit within the latter group.

Achieving European football in any capacity would still be a huge success in my eyes. That said, we continue to strive for a Champions League place.

Our record against Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United this season deems us worthy.

The players are under a different sort of pressure than they have grown accustomed to; fighting for the top five following a relegation escape one season prior. That, in itself, is something that still feels unfathomable, and is all the more reason we should be proud of how far the team has come.

The narrative this season has been the scarily slim gaps at the top end of the table. With just three points separating us and seventh place, every game matters. Letting go of a point in the dying minutes of a game hurts far more for this reason.

Picking up points on the road will be crucial, and there is nothing to say this can't be done on Monday against Spurs. In their current form, Tottenham should not be feared.

While a loss in concentration cost us over the weekend, there is always a period of rejuvenation with Forest - the famous bounceback we should be more than familiar with now, especially after the Brighton match.

Now is not the time to be feeling dejected. We have an FA Cup trophy and a Champions League place yet to play for.

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I saw Nottingham Forest's defeat at Aston Villa and I actually do not think much has changed in terms of what they do.

Certainly that second half, they were very good. When you look at the stats from both that defeat and the loss to Everton last weekend, they were pretty even and pretty much the same as what we have seen from from Forest all season.

They had been more clinical in previous games, and got results from low possession and minimal shots on target.

I remember saying early on, and midway through the season, that they have to remain clinical because that is why they are in the position they are.

Being without Chris Wood has not helped but I do not think they have done much different. Forest are in a position that has maybe surprised themselves but they are riding the wave.

It is exciting for them and they still have a great chance to reach the Champions League.

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Nuno's team have a good game to bounce back at the weekend against Tottenham, who will have played a big game in Europe. They then have some home fixtures that are more than winnable for them, so I they are still in a good position.

It has been a small blip if anything and Forest fans will still be in dreamland with their season and where they have come from in battling relegation last year.

From a player's point of view, it is a completely different kind of pressure from fighting to stay in the league and then being in a position to achieve something so unexpected.

Most will have never been there, but the pressure is definitely not coming from in-house.

It is difficult but I do not see Forest slipping up enough to not get into the Champions League.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

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Former Nottingham Forest defender Brian Laws says the remaining six games of the Premier League season will be a "massive test" for Nuno Espirito Santo's side after their "blooper" against Everton last weekend.

The 1-0 defeat has bunched up the Premier League table somewhat, with only three points now separating Nottingham Forest in fourth and Aston Villa in seventh.

Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Laws admitted that some of the clubs looking to get over the line and secure European football for next season are currently "on a high".

"It is going to be about who holds their nerve best - that's for sure," he added. "It will be a massive test for Forest because the chasing clubs are on a high.

"Newcastle United are playing off the back of winning the Carabao Cup. It is like they have come alive and that is a worry because it looks like they can go on and continue in that way.

"It has been like a new lease of life and it has kickstarted them probably at the most crucial time - in the last six or seven games - so they are a worry.

"Manchester City are absolutely bubbling. Chelsea have got class in their team and you know that on any given day they can win a game, but they do also have a blooper in them.

"I didn't think Forest had a blooper in them, so that Everton defeat has hurt a bit."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

The latest Shut Up And Show More Football podcast has landed.

David Jackson and Colin Fray are joined by former Nottingham Forest defender Brian Laws to discuss how the Reds' final six-games compare with other teams also battling it out for a Champions League spot.

Plus former Nottingham Forest midfielder Andy Reid talks about his current role in the club's academy, where he is working alongside Wes Morgan, Lewis Grabban and Julian Bennett.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

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Full-time at the City Ground on Saturday was subdued in a way we have not experienced in a while. There was little applause, yet no booing, just a quiet sense of disbelief following Everton's last-gasp winner.

As the crowds shuffled out, the sunny weather barely reflecting anyone's mood, that sense of disbelief has shifted from the surreal feeling of being third in the Premier League for so long to the real battle to cling to a dream we never thought possible.

The fight for Champions League qualification is well and truly on. While a fifth place might have been guaranteed last week, following Arsenal's dramatic win over Real Madrid, we have been dragged into a slog with Manchester City, Newcastle United, Aston Villa and Chelsea we had so far avoided.

Several of those sides have yet to face each other in the run-in and, with six games to go, a lot can still happen. But maybe this suits Forest. Maybe being the underdog is what our current mentality desires. Maybe we just have a blip to get through before returning to the form we have had most of this season.

You cannot win every game in the Premier League and, as I have often said, you learn more from defeat than victory. The drive and determination from Nuno Espirito Santo and his squad has been clear for all to see in this campaign and it is pretty obvious what the players will be feeling right now.

Forest do not do things the easy way, so why would we change now? Everyone at the club has been pulling in the same direction for such a long time, it feels like whatever happens now there will not be a quiet finish to any of the remaining matches at the City Ground this season.

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We asked for your views on Everton's win at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Al: Slow in thought, play, process, everything. The worst Forest performance I've seen this season. No complaints about the result, Everton did a job on us and actually looked like they were hungrier than us.

Andy: Forest looked like a team of strangers. It must have been a record the amount of second balls we didn't even challenge for. Nuno needs to tell them that they're not on the beach yet. Poor.

Jacob: Forest looked like the long season has been catching up with them. Elanga, Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi were not at their best and an uncharacteristic mistake from Murillo for the goal. They're going to have to dig deep for the rest of the season to keep their coveted league position.

Everton fans

Paul: Great result and well deserved, Moyes really has put the belief back in the club. Watching that game, you'd think it was Everton who were third not Forest. We need to add more quality in the final third, if we do that we can really push on next season.

Dan: Thoroughly deserved and a really comfortable afternoon of football. Everton never let Forest get going, though I thought they were poor and fear for their Champions League participation after that performance. I will be interested to see what happens to Everton under Moyes next season.

Kobe: Amazing game from Everton. In the away end for my first ever game - amazing sound and atmosphere from us and we deserved to win. What an end! This is why we love this game and this club.

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 full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Nottingham Forest 0-1 Everton

• Arsenal 1-1 Brentford

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Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Nottingham Forest's defeat against Everton: "The performance was not good. Last minute of the game, from an offensive corner we conceded so we are disappointed but in terms of the game, we were not good. Everton were dominant.

"We were missing passes and didn't create much. Everton made problems for us so it was a tough one. were not able to do the things they normally do.

"Everyone felt we were not comfortable. The defense was fantastic for us and today we felt the boys It is in our hands and we have to bounce back."

Were you at the City Ground or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

Everton fans, what did you make of their display?

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

This is a tough one to call. Nottingham Forest are looking to get back to winning ways after losing to Aston Villa last week, but Everton are so awkward under David Moyes.

The Toffees have drawn six of their past eight games so that is the obvious call here, but I want to back Forest - if you cut me in half, I am red and white.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say

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

• Manchester City v Crystal Palace (12:30)

• Brighton v Leicester City

• Nottingham Forest v Everton

• Southampton v Aston Villa

• Arsenal v Brentford (17:30)

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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There are lots of different perspectives in terms of how you watch a game of football, and I think for the majority of time the people in the stadium get the best atmosphere, but the worst views of how a game has actually gone.

You don't really get the chance to see multiple replays and have discussions about things, because you just get caught up in the moment.

With the incoming semi automated offsides, they did promise it earlier in the season - but I think the caveat was they're only going to do it when it's ready.

It is a positive that they didn't do it when it wasn't ready.

One upside to to the new technology is some of the arguments disappear. Previously you could say 'but it looks like it's this to me' or 'it looks like it's that to me'. When it is presented now, there aren't many people that will then be looking at the animation, going back to the video, and then going down a proper conspiracy rabbit hole.

So, it ends more arguments, not all arguments, but more arguments.

I think people, as a consequence, will be more accepting of it.

But, I still do believe that there's things for people to understand, because it can't be used in every situation. There are certain decisions which can still be a little bit more complex, and there's certain times where human intervention will still need to be brought in.

I wouldn't say it's as clear as, say, goal line technology, but it's a step in the direction to where most people feel more comfortable accepting the outcome and the speed of it as well will be encouraged.

It's not to say that it's going to be instant. If you believe this is going to be perfect, and always extremely fast, ask yourself, why do you think that?

Unless somebody has told you that from PGMOL, then take it with a pinch of salt and you see how it goes.

I think it's something that many people have seen before so hopefully there will be fewer arguments.

But, because it's football, there'll always be something to argue about the end of the day.

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Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga says he is "not the finished product" yet, despite his impressive season so far.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, Elanga said: "It's about momentum as a player. You want momentum and momentum playing week in and week out. That is the way you are going to improve and the way you are going to learn things.

"For me, having the players around me – older, younger – taking things from them, advice, advice on my game, because I'm not the finished product, I can always improve and that is something I have been trying to do this season.

"Looking at my game and what I can try and do better because, I didn't have one of the best starts to the season, that is why I can't say I have done really well. I can still improve and get better, can still start the season even better, but, at the end of the day, it is not about how you start but how you finish.

"I want to make sure I finish as strong as possible, personally and with the team as we're more than capable of doing so.

"Whenever somebody asks me 'is this my best season?' I always say it is going to be the next one. It is always the next one – the best goal is the next one, the best assist is the next one, the best game is the next one. You can always improve and get better and better. This season I have been really trying to hone down on everything. My decision making, my finishing, my passing, my general positioning, my general understanding of the game - there is so much you can improve on as a football player.

"If you are willing to put that extra yard in, that extra work in on and off the pitch, you are more than capable of reaching heights you wouldn't think are possible to reach."

Listen to the full interview 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 at home against Everton (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nuno was asked to provide an update on the fitness of attacking trio Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga and Taiwo Awoniyi: "We are still assessing all of them. They are struggling with problems, some small some not so small. We have one more day and then we will see if they are available for the game."

• He added he is "hopeful" each will be fit: "It could be all of them, it could be none. It depends on how they recover and how they feel."

• Asked how much of a miss Wood has been, he said: "Of course Chris has given us so many things. Unfortunately at the same time happened the situation of Awoniyi. If that didn't happen I think we would be more balanced. In the absence of two strikers it is more difficult to prepare."

• On the fifth-placed Premier League position confirmed to qualify for the Champions League next season: "It's in our hands. It opens one more space so there is more contenders but for us it doesn't change anything. Our approach will be the same. I think we have a great opportunity to achieve something great."

• He anticipates a hard game against Everton: "What we see now is a good team that plays with intensity. They have good players and have been achieving good results. The organisation is all there. Of course with the talent they have they will cause us a lot of problems on Saturday."

• When asked about the difference between last season and this, Nuno said: "It is different pressure. Last season we were fighting for survival, now we are fighting for something magical. We are always with pressure but confident. We are enjoying and we have to keep going."

• On looking to record a fifth consecutive home clean sheet: "That's the beginning of everything, the beginning of us as a team. Being compact, being solid, not giving much to our opponents, and trying to take advantage of our talent."

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

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We asked for your views on one thing nobody is talking about at Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Gary: Why, with such a strong position and influence in Greece with the ownership, has the club failed so far to identify and capture any of the emerging Greek talent? Players like Pavlidis who is now potentially out of reach at 100m euros. Tzolis and Karetsas may however still represent value?

Mark: The absence of Ola Aina is more important than a lot of people think. He is a lynchpin in the dressing room and builds up team spirit and morale prior to every game. You just need to see his dancing routines on social media and the camaraderie it instils. We need him back as soon as possible.

David: Who is going to replace Chris Wood next season? At 34 years of age he probably hasn't got another season like this one in him - has he?

Chappers: Forest are not used to going behind much this season. So chasing the game against an extremely good Villa side felt like something new. It also revealed the Forest team in a new light. They might not have earned points from the encounter, but it was really interesting to see them play attacking football in the second half. They carved out multiple chances and demonstrated the ability to play in a totally different way. This can only bode well moving forward for the Reds.

Jez: Apart from a recent run of tough and long games, Forest have had very few injuries. By playing out of possession and then hitting teams on the break, they are not chasing the game for 90 mins like other teams. Teams like Spurs, who play fast attacking and exciting football, have had loads of injuries and have suffered. Forest play attacking, measured and exciting football with very few injuries.

Tim: The number of clearances off the line made by Forest - a league high of nine this season. This shows just how dogged our defence has been and how many extra points their last ditch defending has saved.