‘Deduction derby’ and the stakes are high
HUGE GAME FOR FOREST AS THEY HEAD FOR GOODISON
THERE was something akin to a raised eyebrow from Nuno Espirito Santo when it was put to him that Nottingham Forest’s match tomorrow is being billed as the “Deduction Derby”.
But the Portuguese was not about to shy away from just how important the clash at Goodison Park is for the Reds.
With five games to go and their Premier League fate still in the balance, the Forest head coach knows there is much at stake against Everton (1.30pm kick-off).
In many respects, Nuno was his usual self when he faced the media in his pre-match press conference at the City Ground yesterday. He generally is a man of few words.
However, he was very clear on many of the points he did make as he looked ahead to the meeting with the Toffees.
He knows there is a wider context to the game, with both clubs in the process of appeals against points deductions for breaching Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
“It’s due to circumstances but it’s a game, very important for both clubs due to the situation we are in,” said Nuno.
“We have been involved in similar situations, the deduction of points. We don’t know exactly how many points we have, both of the sides.”
Forest’s appeal hearing into their four-point deduction is set for next week, after tomorrow’s match. Everton have confirmed they have lodged an appeal against their twopoint deduction for a second PSR breach, having already had a 10-point deduction reduced to six on appeal.
As it stands, the 17th-placed Reds are one point and one place below Sean Dyche’s side in the table. But they are also only one point and one place above the relegation zone. “It is a big game,” Nuno added. “A big game for both teams. We are in the final games of the season, when everything comes to a decision. A huge game.
“I know how strong they are at Goodison Park and how hard it is going to be to face them. It is going to be a tough game.
“The plan is that we play good and control the game. If that happens, normally the crowd is silenced.
“But it is going to be hard and will require a lot of effort from ourselves.
“We will have to be ready for moments when we do not have the ball and the crowd get rowdy and push Everton, like what happens here at the City Ground.
“We have to be strong in those moments.”
There was no indication Nuno or Forest are feeling the pressure ahead of a potentially decisive game in the relegation fight. But then the 50-year-old is rarely animated at the best of times.
He was, though, very clear in his appeal for unity and togetherness amid fans’ frustrations over this week’s season card prices announcement. Although not prepared to comment on the specifics, stating he was not privy to the reasons behind the club’s decision, Nuno underlined how important Reds supporters are to the team.
He spoke, too, about this week’s decision by the Football Association to scrap FA Cup replays entirely. Not wishing to repeat himself, Nuno pointed to his comments earlier in the season when he set out his stance.
“I expressed my opinion before. I think it should be one leg only, due to many aspects such as the schedule,” he said.
Set-pieces, too, were addressed. Nuno said “working, working, working” was the way to find a solution for that particular Achilles’ heel.
Forest must hope all of that work pays off tomorrow.