‘We have to take points loss on the chin, stick together and move forward’

WE’VE BEEN OUR OWN WORST ENEMY AT TIMES, SAYS TURNER, BUT KEEPER BELIEVES FOREST IN CONTROL OF OWN DESTINY AFTER PENALTY HIT

GOALKEEPER Matt Turner says Nottingham Forest cannot dwell on their points deduction as they fight to avoid relegation. The Reds have been docked four points for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. With the deduction applied immediately, they have been plunged into the bottom three.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are now 18th in the table, one point below 17th-placed Luton Town, with nine games remaining.

Had they held on for victory at Kenilworth Road last Saturday in their final match before the international break, the picture could have looked different.

Forest led through Chris Wood’s goal against the Hatters but conceded a late equaliser to come away with a 1-1 draw. It is one example of the Reds being masters of their own downfall this season – something Turner says they must put right.

“The points deduction, we have to take it on the chin and keep moving forward,” the American told GOAL. “Points deduction aside, we’ve been our own worst enemies in a lot of ways this entire season.

“We have all of it in our control. Some of the games that we have coming up are teams around us.

“If we can control those games and get back some wins, then hopefully the point deduction shouldn’t really matter. Hopefully, we can, like I said, take it on the chin, stick together and keep moving forward.”

The Reds have recorded just one Premier League win this calendar year. Five of their remaining games are at the City Ground, while they have away fixtures at Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley to come.

The club are considering whether to appeal their sanction. After the penalty was announced, they issued a statement expressing their “extreme disappointment” at the verdict.