Nuno on points appeal, relegation 'focus' and Williams' fitness
Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Nottingham Forest’s game with Chelsea on Saturday.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On the rejection of Forest’s appeal on Tuesday against their four-point deduction for breaching profit and sustainability rules: “We were all disappointed. We had the hope and the belief that they (the independent appeal board) could give us points back. But the decision is over, so there is no point speaking on this issue.”
On how he addressed the issue with the players: “We spoke about it with the players, about how this is the reality, this is what we have, this is what we have to face. Let’s focus on ourselves because it is in our hands.
He continued: “Since the beginning, when there was the possibility of a points deduction, we have always faced it the same way - that what we have to focus on is ourselves and on our job. It’s in our hands. We have already moved on.”
Asked if Forest place any focus on relegation rivals Luton and Burnley, Nuno said: "The message is that we don’t have to get distracted on what is happening in other stadiums. We have to focus on ourselves, this is the main message and this is what we want, let’s focus on ourselves and play a good game. We are ready to go.”
On Chelsea and what Mauricio Pochettino faces at Stamford Bridge: “Everyone can see what Mauricio is trying to do. It’s a new team, new players, he is trying to put them together and for them to gel. They are in a good moment. It will require a lot from us, to win individual duels and try to win the game. I always have a good feeling. A good feeling and a good spirit is what keeps you going.”
On his hardest season in management: “Yes, it’s been hard but I’m repeating myself. Since day one we embraced the challenge. There were a lot of things we were not expecting but we dealt with them in the proper moment and in the right way. With the right attitude and working together we can overcome the obstacles and we have had a lot.”
Neco Williams remains out with a hamstring injury and is yet to return to training.
