Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo refused to give a clear update on his injured wards, including Nigerian duo striker Taiwo Awoniyi and defender Ola Aina, ahead of tomorrow’s game against Everton. Nuno has been sweating on the fitness of several players, including leading scorer Chris Wood, who has been out since returning injured from New Zealand duty.
“We are still assessing all of them as they were struggling with some problems: some small, some not so small,” Nuno said. “It depends on how they recover and how they feel.”
Nuno is upbeat about Forest’s bid in the English Premier League and insisted that the cushion of an extra Champions League place for English clubs will not change his approach as they chase a top five finish. Midweek results mean finishing fifth in the Premier League will now guarantee a place in next season’s Champions League, as opposed to the usual top four spots going into Europe’s elite club competition.
“It’s in our hands. It opens one more space, so more contenders, but in terms of us it doesn’t change anything,” he told reporters. “Our approach will be the same, it is day by day, preparing the players and preparing for the game and I think we have a great opportunity to achieve something great.”
Nuno added that there are different pressures this season, but he believes his team has the motivation and ambition to achieve something magical.
“There are different pressures. Last season it was in our hands to decide our own fate and we achieved it but we were fighting for survival,” he noted. “Now we are fighting for something magical, we have motivation and ambition. But pressure is about performing and competing well.”
Third-placed Forest hold a five-point lead over sixth-placed Manchester City ahead of tomorrow’s home game against Everton. A first Champions League appearance since 1980-81 is within Forest’s grasp, but Nuno is adamant he won’t take anything for granted.
With the extra Champions League spot up for grabs, Nuno believes his team has a great opportunity to achieve something special. However, he remains cautious and focused on the task at hand.
“We will take it one game at a time and prepare for each match accordingly,” Nuno said. “We have a great team and I believe we can achieve something special this season.”