Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged the disappointment of losing their appeal against the Premier League’s points deduction but emphasized the team’s unwavering focus on securing their top-flight status.
Forest was hit with a four-point penalty in March for breaching financial regulations. The penalty, upheld on Tuesday, leaves them precariously placed in 17th on the table, just three points clear of the relegation zone with only two matches remaining.
“There’s no denying the disappointment,” admitted Santo. “We earned those points on the pitch, and we held onto the hope of getting them back. However, the decision is final.”
The Portuguese manager highlighted the importance of accepting the situation and channelling all efforts towards the remaining matches. “This is our reality now,” he declared. “We have to face it head-on, and it’s entirely within our control. We’ve approached the possibility of the deduction with the same mindset from the beginning – focus on ourselves and our job. We’ve already moved on from the appeal.”
A crucial home fixture against Chelsea this Saturday presents a golden opportunity for Forest to virtually guarantee their Premier League survival for another season. The City Ground faithful are also set to witness a determined performance from their team.
“It’s our last home game of the season,” said Santo, emphasizing the significance of the occasion. “We want to finish strong for our main objective – staying up – and especially for our fantastic fans. Their unwavering support has been instrumental this season, and now it’s our turn to reward their dedication.”
While a win against Chelsea would be a massive step towards safety, Forest could find themselves virtually safe even before kickoff. This scenario hinges on both Luton Town losing to West Ham and Burnley failing to win against Tottenham in their respective earlier matches on Saturday.
However, Santo remains focused on his own team’s performance. “We can’t afford distractions worrying about other results,” he stressed. “The key message is to concentrate on ourselves, play a strong game, and secure the points we need.”
