Nuno Espirito Santo says third place ‘doesn’t mean anything’ for Forest

Posted Sunday, November 03, 2024 by PA

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo says his side’s lofty Premier League position means nothing at the moment.

Forest soared to their highest league position in 26 years after they beat 10-man West Ham 3-0 at the City Ground.

Goals from Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina saw off a ragged Hammers team, who had Edson Alvarez sent off, to take Forest third in the Premier League.

We’re cooking. 👨‍🍳 pic.twitter.com/ugEUckpiYQ
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 2, 2024

Not since August 1998, when a 2-1 win over Southampton left Dave Bassett’s side second in the standings, have they sat so high.

But in his typical pragmatic style, Nuno was keen to temper expectations.

“You know me already. Now I’m thinking about Tuesday and the next training session,” the Portuguese said.

“This is what is important, you know better than me, it doesn’t mean anything now.

“We just have to keep going, keep going, keep going. It’s a very long season ahead, every player is going to be needed.

“It is a positive moment. We worked very hard this week, this is what we are focused on. We have to work and work hard and improve much more.

Nuno Espirito Santo says third place ‘doesn’t mean anything’ for Forest — Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina were on target for Forest (Joe Giddens/PA)

“Nothing has changed since the beginning, we have to keep on going. Believe me, there is no other way. If you get distracted, football doesn’t forgive you.

“I think the longer the team is together, the better the players will know each other, the options we have coming back, the group should be stronger and as time goes by the bond will grow.

“This is my belief.”

While Forest might be dreaming of a top-six challenge, that looks a long way off for West Ham, who failed to build on last week’s win over Manchester United.

Boss Julen Lopetegui said Alvarez’s red card on the stroke of half-time, which came for a second yellow card after a rash tackle on Anthony Elanga, was the pivotal moment of the game.

The Spaniard refused to point the finger at his midfielder.

“It was one contact we felt was not dangerous because we had a lot of players in our box,” he said.

“The little details in the Premier League are key, the big details are much more key, we have to improve in this kind of decision for sure. He knows.

“It is not a moment to talk about one player. I am responsible in front of all of them, we have to use this bad moment in the dressing room to push us forward, looking at the next challenge.

“It’s not a moment to say, ‘Your fault, your fault’, it is a moment to stay together. The players know they can choose better and they have to do better in this moment.”