Reds boss: Saturday is going to be a final for both teams
NUNO KNOWS IT’S A HUGE GAME FOR HIS SIDE AT KENILWORTH ROAD
HEAD coach Nuno Espirito Santo has made perfectly clear just how important tomorrow’s game away against Luton Town (3pm) is for Nottingham Forest.
Some managers might be tempted to downplay such a six-pointer, to take the pressure off or deem it ‘just another game.’
Not Nuno, he has been plain about the nature of the Reds’ clash with Luton Town.
The Portuguese faced the media yesterday for his pre-match press conference ahead of his team’s trip to Kenilworth Road. Below is a look at what he had to say:
■ Must-win game?
Ahead of tomorrow’s showdown, Forest are a place and three points above the Hatters in the Premier League table.
At one point on Wednesday night, however, it looked as though that was about to change.
Luton were 3-0 up against Bournemouth as they played their game in hand. They went on to lose 4-3, thus prompting plenty of Reds fans to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
“We saw the game and analysed it. It was an emotional game,” said Nuno. “The result was good for us because it allowed us to keep the advantage we have but we know Saturday is going to be a final for both teams.
“It is an important game for both clubs. It is a fight that we have to be aware we’re in the middle of. We have to achieve points.
“They are a team who can score and have speed. They play in a very particular way and we have to adapt but also show we can take advantage of our qualities.
“All the games are must-win games, this is our mentality. We go onto the pitch to try to win; in our minds, that’s always our goal.
“It’s very important, definitely. Due to the circumstances and the situation of both teams, it’s a very important game. It’s a huge game for us.”
It is a fight that we have to be aware we’re in the middle of. We have to achieve points
Nuno Espirito Santo
■ Positive mindset
Season run-ins are as much about psychology as they are anything tangible. With so much riding on games, having the right mentality is crucial.
Nuno insists he has no worries about his players on that front. However, the Reds are well aware they need to improve performances.
“Some moments we think it’s okay, we do a good game and think let’s move forward to sustain our performance,” said Nuno. “But unfortunately it goes down.
“I think we are ready because the character of the team gives me a lot of confidence – the commitment of the players and how they realise how important it is to improve game by game, training session after training session and give it their all.
“I only know one way and that is to work, don’t ever ignore any minute of the training session. Every action is important – repetition, commitment and confidence.
“In our careers, all managers experience bad and good moments, ups and downs. It’s all about reacting. You are in a bad moment, stick together and react, bounce back and find solutions.
“It doesn’t matter what you are playing for, because football is always like that. You have to react in the bad moments.
“It’s never done in football. It’s all about working and facing the situations day by day but we are experienced enough to know we need points.”
■ Stadium uncertainty
Forest’s future at the City Ground continues to be in the spotlight amid a row with Nottingham City Council.
Reds chairman Tom Cartledge has said the club is prepared to consider relocating to a new stadium rather than redeveloping the City Ground as talks over rent with the council, who own the land where the club have played since 1898, have stalled.
The existing lease has a limited time left to run and talks about extending it have hit a stalemate. However, Nuno hopes a solution can be found for Forest to stay put.
“The City Ground has been our home forever and I would love to stay and play at the City Ground forever,” said Nuno. “Not many stadiums in the Premier League make this kind of noise and support their team as our fans do.
“I think it would be impossible to replicate it. Special places are made through history, that’s why they become special.
“The City Ground is very special, it’s impossible to replicate it in another place.”
■ Team selection
Nuno came in for some criticism for his team selection in last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The decision to start with Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-odoi on the bench against the Seagulls raised eyebrows.
The idea was to pack the midfield to gain a foothold in the game before unleashing the duo’s pace at “the right moment”.
It didn’t quite go to plan. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, though, and what Nuno is really eager for is some consistency in his team selection.
“For sure I would change. After the game, it is easier to change,” he said of his starting 11 at the Amex Stadium.
“The plan was clear, to try to control the middle of the park by having an extra midfielder there.
“It didn’t quite work out. Large spells of the second half was much better, we were more dominant and aggressive.
“It has been very hard for us to have consistency, unfortunately.
“We have had players who have been in a good moment and then are suddenly out of the team, so we have had to regroup and find another solution.”