Sport nationNuno makes Nottingham Forest points deduction claim as Everton watch on
Both Everton and Nottingham Forest are awaiting the results of Premier League charges
Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Nottingham Forest
Nuno Espirito Santo, Manager of Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo insists he is not nervous as the club await news of a potential points deduction.
Relegation-threatened Forest, who are 17th in the Premier League, could be docked points after being charged with breaching the competition’s financial regulations. It comes as Everton await the outcome of a second charge after already losing 10 points – later reduced to six on appeal – from a previous charge this season.
The clubs are battling relegation and such a penalty would plunge Forest into the bottom three but, while Nuno maintains he is not apprehensive about the outcome, he would like an end to the uncertainty.
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Asked if he was nervous, the Portuguese said at a press conference: “No. Since we had the news that there is going to be a hearing and all these things, we are waiting.
“Let’s wait and see. Us, as team, football-wise, we just focus on the pitch. We don’t know when it’s going to come. We prefer the sooner the better.”
Forest are in trouble after a run of three successive defeats and their frustration has been exacerbated in recent weeks by some controversial refereeing decisions.
A fortnight ago Liverpool snatched a 99th-minute winner at the City Ground after the visitors were incorrectly given the ball after a stoppage in play. Last week Forest lost 1-0 at Brighton in a game in which the Seagulls’ Jakub Moder was fortunate not to be sent off.
Nuno is determined to overcome the setbacks coming Forest’s way.
He said: “It’s hard because it’s frustrating, it’s disappointing. There comes a lot of bad feelings inside of you but we don’t give up, we move forward.”
“This is what we’ve been working on this week, moving forward, preparing for the game of Luton because this is what we can control and we try to forget what’s behind of us.”
Saturday’s trip to Kenilworth Road to face fellow strugglers Luton will be crucial for both sides and Nuno is not shying away from its importance.
He said: “We know that Saturday is going to be a final for both teams, an important game for both squads.”
“It’s a fight that we have to be aware that we are in the middle of and we have to achieve points.”
“All the games are must-win games. This is our mentality. We don’t go to the pitch to try not to win. It’s always on their minds, that’s our goal.”
Everton are 16th in the table, a point ahead of Forest and four clear of Luton Town, but have not won since December 16.
Sport nation
Amina Umar