What Nuno told Nottingham Forest players before extra-time as cup win poses transfer question

Nottingham Forest show support for Cheikhou Kouyate after FA Cup win over Blackpool

After the final whistle had blown on an entertaining FA Cup replay, Nottingham Forest headed across the Bloomfield Road pitch to acknowledge the away end.

They applauded the 1700-strong Reds supporters who had endured freezing temperatures and a lengthy away trip to the west coast on a Wednesday night. And they once again held up a shirt in tribute to grieving teammate Cheikhou Kouyate, just as they had done earlier on in the evening after opening the scoring – a message for the midfielder who lost his father while at the Africa Cup of Nations.

It was a show of unity from the visitors. A show of support amid tough times for one of their own.

Off-field matters had dominated the headlines during Forest’s build-up to Blackpool, but head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had vowed they would not distract his team. And there was a clear sense of togetherness on display, as well as grit and determination to get through a tough third round tie which required extra-time. Not that the Reds made it easy for themselves, by any means.

Reds’ resilience

The message from Nuno was clear as his team faced an additional 30 minutes to settle the third round contest. The momentum could easily have been with the hosts as they had come from two goals down to force extra-time.

A place in the fourth round should have been secured when Danilo had found the net for the visitors to build on Andrew Omobamidele’s opener. But some poor defending cost them.

As they regrouped, Nuno told his players they needed to cast aside what had gone before and start again. Forest had been sloppy in the way they had allowed Blackpool back into the game, but they showed character to stop the Seasiders from completely turning the game on its head.

“The message was clear, that it’s a new game, let’s start again and forget the 90 minutes,” Nuno said. “It’s a game of 30 minutes that we have to solve it, that was the message.

“The boys dug in and fought to the end. After Blackpool came back, it was tough. But in extra-time, without taking credit away from Blackpool, we were better than them.”

Having already bemoaned having to play an additional game, Nuno doubtless was not best pleased about having his players go through an additional half hour on a tough pitch. But the Reds kept going. Effort levels were maintained right to the end, with Ryan Yates leading by example to go with his two assists.

Promising debut

Nuno said he would need to properly review Omobamidele’s performance to give a better judgement on it. But the defender could be pretty pleased with his efforts.

Omobamidele has had to wait a long time to get his chance after his deadline day move in the summer. It has been tough to force his way even into the matchday squad.

Suddenly, though, the Reds might need him. The 21-year-old’s first game for the club on Wednesday night has ruled him out of a loan move this month – unless it is back to former club Norwich City – as he has already represented the Canaries this season and playing for three teams in a campaign is not permitted.

It might be that he can have a part to play for Forest, though. Even if it is to provide an option on the bench.

Felipe is still injured, Moussa Niakhate is on international duty and seemed to suffer a knock himself earlier this week. The futures of Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall are uncertain – although both came off the bench to see the game out at Bloomfield Road.

It would be a big call for Nuno to keep Omobamidele in the XI for Saturday’s trip to Brentford. But the centre-back could hold his head high after his 100-plus minutes on the pitch.

He demonstrated terrific control to finish at the back post in the 16th minute, with Chris Wood seemingly having indicated to him to be ready for the incoming corner. If he is called upon to play a part again between now and May, no doubt he will make sure he is equally prepared for that.

Aguilera cameo

As with Omobamidele, Brandon Aguilera has been struggling for minutes this term. It still might be that a loan move is right for his development.

The Costa Rican has potential, though. It was an impressive cameo from the youngster.

He looked bright and showed some exciting glimpses when he came on in the 85th minute. He clearly has confidence as well as ability.

Showcasing that in the Premier League is a different challenge, of course. Forest have an important decision to make about what happens in the second half of the season for Aguilera, and where he should go if it is decided a temporary move is best.

The 20-year-old is highly regarded at the City Ground. The plan was to keep an eye on him for the first half of the campaign before making a decision this month about what happens next. Longer term, though, the future looks bright.

Transfer poser

The Reds were back in action from their winter break sooner than they had hoped. They had been due to have a fortnight without a game, following the first meeting with Blackpool and Saturday’s trip to Brentford.

Perhaps with the clash against the Bees in mind, Nuno shuffled his pack at Bloomfield Road. Forest do find their options limited, though. Six players are on duty at the Africa Cup of Nations, while Morgan Gibbs-White added to the injury list a few days before this game.

The attacker is expected to be out for a couple of weeks. He will be a big miss. With Anthony Elanga, Divock Origi and Taiwo Awoniyi also sidelined, it limits Nuno’s attacking options considerably.

Nicolas Dominguez did his best to provide the spark in Gibbs-White’s absence against the Seasiders. At times, there was a lack of fluency to Forest’s game, though – Chris Wood had barely had a sniff of goal before he popped up with the winner.

With injuries in defence, too, the club have some big decisions to make about potential exits before the window closes. They do not want to be left short of cover.

It also remains to be seen how Orel Mangala’s situation unfolds. There is interest in the midfielder and Wednesday night was only his second start under Nuno. He showed how effective he can be, though, being tidy on the ball and weighing in with a crucial last-ditch block on the line in the dying minutes of normal time.

In both games against Blackpool, the Reds had to battle. Still, that kind of characteristic can go a long way as they look to build momentum both with a cup run and in the Premier League.

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