Nottingham

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham before Nottingham Forest's game against Sheffield United on Saturday and the club's chances of survival.

Forest start the next round of fixtures with a one-point cushion over third-from-bottom Luton, who will climb out of the relegation zone on Friday if they win their game at home to Everton.

On facing the Blades, Forest Nuno said: "It's an very important game. We are aware of the responsibility and what it means for the club. It's in our hands. We go game by game knowing that a win over Sheffield United means that it would be still up to us to decide our own future.

"We don't know exactly how they will turn up in terms of shape. Chris [Wilder] is known for his 3-5-2 but recently there has been a slight change in the previous games. They have been relegated already, so is Chris be preparing his future in terms of player selection for next season? We don't know.

"Let's focus on ourselves and prepare for how we want to play. We want to control the game, we want to be dominant. We must to take positives from our last performance against a really tough team [Manchester City]."

He added: "I believe that the only way we can achieve what we want is by playing good, by fighting and the attitude cannot change."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

Image source, PA Media

Mark Clattenburg has announced that he has stepped down from his role as a referee consultant at Nottingham Forest.

The former Premier League referee began working with the club earlier this year.

Clattenburg said in a statement: "I performed my services under the consultancy agreement in good faith, to the best of my abilities and in the hope of using my extensive experience as a match official to help Nottingham Forest understand how decisions in relation to key match incidents are made amid the workings of VAR.

"However, it is now clear that the existence and performance of these consultancy services has caused unintended friction between Forest and other participants, to the extent that it has become more of a hindrance than help to Forest. It has also led to the unmerited targeting of me, personally, by certain participants and pundits."

He added: "I am grateful to Forest and wish them all the best during the remainder of the season and in the future. It's been an honour."

Image source, Reuters

Anthony Elanga says Nottingham Forest have a "fantastic opportunity to show what we're about" as they bid to secure Premier League safety and a third successive season in the top flight.

Forest are one point above the relegation zone with three games left to play, starting with Saturday's trip to already-relegated Sheffield United.

"It's in our hands," said the former Manchester United winger on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast.

"We've showed this season that we can play. Things haven't gone our way. We've conceded a lot from set-pieces and that's something we want to work on.

"But we've got three games - it's all in our hands and it's exciting.

"These are the moments when you see the players with big personalities stepping up. I certainly want to step up and show that I've got the personality to do that. It's a fantastic opportunity to show what we're about."

Speaking about next opponents Sheffield United, Elanga added: "If you're in the Premier League, you're in there for a reason.

"Even if you're at the bottom, you can still give problems to other teams - so we have to be ready for that, stay focused and make sure we go to Bramall Lane feeling confident."

Listen to the full podcast on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

As Nottingham Forest wait for their profit and sustainability (PSR) appeal verdict they still have the issue of surviving in the Premier League.

Saturday's trip to relegated Sheffield United represents another chance to put distance between themselves and the bottom three.

Rows over refereeing decisions, VAR and their PSR appeal has taken the heat off poor results this year, which have left them a point above the relegation zone.

Just two wins in 15 has stopped Forest moving away and Nuno Espirito Santo has avoided serious criticism over results.

The performance in Sunday's 2-0 defeat by Manchester City was positive but Forest would take a scrappy victory at Bramall Lane.

Will Premier League survival go down to the last day?

On the latest episode of BBC Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss the relegation fight and what Nottingham Forest need from the remaining three games.

They also catch up with forward Anthony Elanga, who speaks of the "positivity and good vibes" around the team, despite it "not being an easy" season.

Listen in full on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has spoken to the media before Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United.

Here are the headlines:

• On whether he has any update on their appeal against their four-point penalty for breaching profit and sustainability rules: "Not yet, unfortunately not yet. We’ve been dealing with this situation for a while, we have been expecting it to come sooner so we know exactly how many points we have. Do we have 30, 29, 28, 27? We need it as fast as possible."

• Nuno reiterated his point from last month over his issue with situation at the bottom of the league: "It’s a mess. They had time enough. It’s a mess. It’s very difficult not only for us but for the league. It’s very hard to be in this situation."

• On the audio of the three decisions which saw them have penalties turned down in the 2-0 defeat at Everton: "I still believe the three of them are [penalties]. The PGMOL clearly said the third one was a penalty but unfortunately they [the officials on the day] got it wrong. It’s happened before when the panel has decided and said it was the other way round. We cannot be bothered by that."

• He continued: "I always try to be respectful, I try to understand how hard the work of the referee is but this year it’s difficult. There are too many situations happening. I felt it was impossible to control the emotions and that’s why I’ve become so vocal."

• On responding to the Football Association asking for his observations following his comments after the Everton game: "I read it, I agreed and I signed it. We are still waiting. Hopefully I don’t get punished and I can be on the touchline."

• Nuno said he and the club felt vindicated in their concerns over the decisions "To a point, yes. It’s nice when you have someone, an expert, saying they [the referees] got it wrong and what you said and saw was right. It makes you feel more comfortable but it doesn’t give you back what happened."

• On needing their fate to be in their own hands after playing Sheffield United: "Looking at the table and the next matches, it’s going to be until the end - it’s not going to be solved (at the weekend). We depend on ourselves and after Sheffield United, it must still be in our hands so, for that, we must win."

• Willy Boly is fit but Neco Williams remains a doubt after suffering a hamstring injury against Manchester City. Striker Taiwo Awoniyi is also back in training: "Taiwo started with the group today - let's see if he's feeling positive. I think he can help us."

Follow Thursday's Premier League news conferences