Nottingham Forest press conference notes - West Ham threat, training preparation, 'amazing' support

Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo

Nuno Espirito Santo has been making the most of valuable time on the training pitch with his Nottingham Forest players this week.

The Portuguese has faced a busy fixture schedule since being appointed Reds head coach in December. This has been a rare week without a midweek fixture – and Nuno wanted to take full advantage.

He knows his team have a big game to come on Saturday when they host West Ham United. Below is a look at what Nuno had to say when he faced the media ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash at the City Ground.

Pre-match preparations

Nuno has had to face various challenges since taking up post Trentside. Injuries and unavailability have affected his options during his time in charge.

Not only has it been rare to have a full week on the training ground, it has also been a rarity for the 50-year-old to have a full squad to pick from. Ola Aina, Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangare will link back up with their teammates today after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations. The trio have been ruled out of Saturday’s game, however, while Gonzalo Montiel and Chris Wood remain sidelined.

Nevertheless, time with the group has afforded an opportunity for Nuno and his coaching staff to work on a few things. They are well aware what they need to improve on.

“It has been a good week. The players have been working well,” Nuno said. “At the same time, it has given us a chance to recover some players and give them a proper rest after such a busy schedule.

“We are trying to focus on all aspects of the game, including trying to improve on things we are already doing well. I think we are playing well, we are very strong offensively and are scoring goals and creating a lot of chances.

“But we have to improve in the other box. We have to be more aggressive and solve the situations because we are conceding goals from our own mistakes. That is what we have been working on.

“There is a lot more to come in all aspects of the team. We have to realise that even though we arrived more or less two months ago, it is a new team and a new squad. It takes time. They are gelling, combining and playing together. We have to reinforce the individual qualities inside the idea of the team.

“I know there is still a long way to go. It will never be done. There will always be things we can work on.”

Set-piece situations

Set-pieces have been an Achilles’ heel for the Reds for a while. Their vulnerabilities in that aspect were highlighted in last weekend’s 3-2 defeat to Newcastle United.

With that in mind, next up is a visit from dead-ball specialist James Ward-Prowse. The Hammers have other threats, of course, but Nuno will be briefing his players on what to expect from free–kicks.

“We have to be aware that they have good delivery,” he said. “James Ward-Prowse is quite a consistent kicker of the ball. At the same time, they have big players and are aggressive at set-pieces.

“We have to prepare and be ready for that. It is what we have been working on with the players, finding the best solutions and then make them responsible for their tasks.”

Hammers reaction

A good or bad time to face West Ham after they were thumped 6-0 by Arsenal last weekend? Either way, Nuno expects to be on the receiving end of a response from David Moyes’ team.

As with the Reds, the Hammers are yet to claim a Premier League win in 2024. However, Nuno says their recent run of form is not a true reflection as Saturday’s visitors currently sit eighth in the table.

“They are a good team. The table shows that,” he said.

“For sure there will be a reaction to what happened before. We are going to face a good team with good players and a good manager.

“We know how hard it is to play against West Ham. We have to focus on ourselves. The moment requires that we must do better so we can win the game.”

Show of support

Nuno spoke to the media in the press conference room at the City Ground. Meanwhile, outside Reds fans were queuing in their droves for a signing session with a group of first-team players.

Forest said they were “blown away” by the number of supporters who attended a similar session on Wednesday. And there was a lengthy queue for the second session, held at the official Megastore. It was indicative, Nuno said, of the kind of backing he and his team have received – even amid some tough results.

“This is what we have been having, and we are so thankful for it,” he said. “Just see outside, how many young people are here to get autographs from our players.

“Our fans are amazing. We cannot thank them enough. They have been fantastic.”

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