Nuno Espirito Santo: Nottingham Forest's Final Five Premier League Games Are Career Pivotal
Nuno Espirito Santo emphasizes the critical nature of Nottingham Forest's final five Premier League games, aiming for Champions League qualification.

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has declared the team's last five Premier League matches as the most significant in their careers, highlighting the intense competition for Champions League spots. Following a surprising season, Nottingham Forest is positioned sixth and could re-enter the Champions League qualification zone with a non-defeat against Brentford in their upcoming game at the City Ground.
Despite a recent exit from the FA Cup semi-finals by Manchester City, Nuno remains optimistic about securing a return to Europe's premier club competition by winning all remaining league games. "All the games are going to be very, very important for a lot of teams in this fight. We have one more, let's try to perform well," Nuno stated during a press conference.
The support from their home crowd at the City Ground is seen as a crucial advantage. "We are back in the City Ground in front of our fans, it's a big help," Nuno added. He also praised the team's resilience throughout the season, which has seen both highs and lows. "We have never stopped believing, no matter what happens. Throughout the competition, we have had good moments and bad moments and we have been able to react and again it is up to us to react again."
Team dynamics are also a focus, with players like Neco Williams and captain Ryan Yates returning from suspension. Defender Ola Aina's fitness is under continuous evaluation. "We still have one more day, assessing all the players, trying to make the decisions," Nuno mentioned, emphasizing the importance of a stable defense line-up.
This final stretch of the season not only tests the physical and mental strength of the team but also offers a chance to make history by returning to a competition they dominated in the late 1970s and early 1980s.