Gossip: Murillo on Man Utd shortlistpublished at 07:38 GMT 12 March
07:38 GMT 12 March
Nottingham Forest and Brazil defender Murillo, 23, is one of several defenders on Manchester United's shortlist of potential summer signings. (i paper), external
Yates happy with reduced ticket pricespublished at 18:24 GMT 11 March
18:24 GMT 11 March
Media caption,
The decision to reduce ticket prices for fans attending Nottingham Forest's Europa League match against FC Midtjylland is "class", says club captain Ryan Yates.
Earlier this week, BBC Sport's Nottingham Forest fan blogger - which you can read below - explained there were large spaces to be filled in the stadium and supporters were widely debating prices.
On Wednesday, Forest announced they would be reducing ticket prices, external in a bid to make The City Ground as full as possible.
Nottingham Forest take on the Danish side on Thursday night, with the winner across two legs rewarded with a spot in the Europa League quarter-finals.
"I think it's class from both the fans to raise it and from the club to listen," Yates told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"The more we can sell The City Ground out under the lights, it's only going to give us that extra boost when we need it.
"It can be difficult, a strong team – when The City Ground is rocking and it's a sell-out, it's a difficult place to play for any opponent.
"At the end of the day it is difficult times for many supporters.
"The fans will really respect that they've listened and been able to give the opportunity to some fans that haven't had the opportunity to come to The City Ground in the Premier League.
Pereira on balancing priorities, ticket prices and 'spirit'published at 17:21 GMT 11 March
17:21 GMT 11 March
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Media caption,
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League game against Midtjylland at The City Ground (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Pereira confirmed Stefan Ortega "may be a couple matches out", with Dan Ndoye also unavailable, however, Jair Cunha is fit and "will be in the match".
On the club dropping ticket prices, external and the importance of having a full stadium: "I know as a club, we need to be ready as a club. Not only the players, but the supporters, everyone must be ready for this fight, for this big challenge. Not only in the Europa League but in the Premier League. We need to be committed. We need the support of our fans. We need to feel the energy and we need to make them proud of our work."
He continued: "I think it was a good decision to make because it's not easy for the supporters. On Thursday night, in the rain, it may be raining, it's not easy to come. But the passion, what makes the difference is the passion that we feel inside of us."
Asked whether there would be a point where he sacrifices the Europa League to focus on Premier League survival, he responded: "We'll see. For now, we try to be competitive in both."
He added: "I need to try to balance, to be competitive in the next game and afterwards against Fulham. It is important for the players to be ready to help the team, we need to be ready to challenge and perform."
Pereira also went on to praise his side's work ethic as they try to balance Europe with their relegation battle: "We have quality in the squad, they are working hard, with good energy, trying to understand the tactical demands. We will be ready."
The Forest boss admitted Midtjylland, who they lost to in October, will "not be easy to face", particularly with their set-pieces: "We must learn with the last game against them and play with our qualities, because we have the spirit. We have our qualities, our tools, our organisation, our dynamics. Tomorrow I believe that, with our supporters, we can play in a very good level and to get a good result."
Hit play above to hear more from Pereira speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray or listen on BBC Sounds here
Forest show up in 'honest day's work' against Man Citypublished at 08:13 GMT 6 March
08:13 GMT 6 March
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest's hard work against Manchester City on Wednesday has put the fans on their side, says former Reds defender Brian Laws.
Forest secured a point in a 2-2 draw at Etihad Stadium and, in a season full of uncertainty over managerial appointments and Premier League survival, Laws thinks the supporters are starting to reconnect with the club.
"What all the Forest fans really want is an honest day's work from the players and consistency," Laws told BBC Radio Nottingham.
"Give your all. You can't kid the supporters - they know when you've put a shift in and when you've worked hard, and they know when you've been up for the game. And the players were up for the game, there was no question about it and the fans showed their appreciation.
"It's something the fans crave and when you don't give it, they'll let you know, and I think that's fair because it hasn't been frequent or consistent enough this year.
"But that connection with the fans is so important at this stage of the season. Particularly with where we are [in the table], we're going to need every one of them.
"As long as the players give that effort and commitment, you'll have the fans with you all the way."
Listen to more from Laws on the Shut Up And Show More Football Podcast on BBC Sounds here
'Gibbs-White, Anderson & Murillo will play top flight football next season'published at 12:23 GMT 5 March
12:23 GMT 5 March
Tom Gayle BBC Radio 5 live commentator
Image source, Getty Images
Looking through the Nottingham Forest team-sheet at Manchester City, I posed the question to my co-commentator Rachel Corsie 'how is a squad with this much talent battling to avoid relegation?'. Now the same can be said of Tottenham and West Ham, yet as it stands, one of the three look set to go down.
To be successful, your big players need to show up. Irrespective of if you're fighting for honours and European qualification at the top of the table, or scrapping down at the bottom to preserve Premier League status.
I can say with some confidence Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson and Murillo will be playing top-flight football next season.
I know it, the players' representatives definitely know it, and I'm sure the majority of the packed-out away end who made the trip to the North West know it.
What's most important in the here and now is they all showed up and contributed significantly to a game which many, myself included, had prematurely written off as a routine Manchester City victory.
The reels and clips will naturally gravitate towards the audacity of Gibbs-White's backheel finish, Anderson's curler past one of best goalkeepers in the world, and Murillo's block on the line with just seconds of the match remaining.
However, this was a result achieved via a collective team performance, not just the pivotal wow moments delivered by this talented trio, and we shouldn't get away from the fact this was a game Vitor Pereria's side could have actually won.
If it was in doubt beforehand, this was a display which demonstrated Nottingham Forest are capable of sticking out their chests and going toe to toe with the best the Premier League has to offer.
Doing this consistently is going to be a big ask, yet for anyone questioning a desire to 'play for the shirt', look no further than the sight last night of Nikola Milenkovic taking a powerful Manchester City strike from close range, flush into this face, which he quickly shrugged off like the Terminator would, before demanding the back-line push up to try and catch the opposition offside.
Manchester City 2-2 Nottingham Forest - the fans' verdictpublished at 09:52 GMT 5 March
09:52 GMT 5 March
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We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest.
Here are some of your comments:
City fans
Kevin: Same old same old. Switch off for the first 15 minutes of the second half, let the opponent back in the game then hope that substitutes on the hour will change things. No Marmoush when a goal is needed and none of the Nicos to shore up a woeful defence and midfield.
Dixon: As a City fan, totally disappointed at their performance, not least Foden who is the main culprit for Anderson's goal as he was the only City player closer to Anderson before the latter shot and scored. Foden didn't seem care if Anderson scored or not since he didn't attempt to tackle Anderson before the shot. City should sell him at the end of the season. I hope he won't be picked for the World Cup since he doesn't deserve a place in England team.
Martin: City looked disorganised & were too "narrow". They could not breakdown a packed Forest defence & lost the ball too easily.Forest started well but City dominated the majority of the game but reverted to sideways passing etc. same old,same old. Credit to Forest who matured during the game. Are City playing better away from home? Not good enough if they want to pressure Arsenal.
David: This current City team is a shadow of the ones of the last 10 years. Pep has run his course time for a change of manger and coaching staff for next season.
Rodrique: Disappointing end of a game which we should have seen out easily against a team who struggles to score goals. Title race not done yet because twists and turns could happen and they would. Let's pray for Arsenal to stumble and for City to win their remaining games.
Forest fans
Fosi: Great to see the fight back and the commitment, massive point! We need to cut out the mistakes and move the ball faster ! Expected to lose the game, well fought lads!
Luke: An excellent point and another performance that makes you wonder how we are where we are. Unfortunately this season, for every night like tonight there's been a night like Braga. We need to play this this for each of the remaining 9 games, and if we do we've got a chance.
Ken: The spirit shown in the second half must be carried into the remaining league games. If we do that, we should survive. Well played lads.
Sean: The team really had to put a shift in and they did. Fantastic effort and game plan from start to finish, there were even a couple of moments we could have snuck away with more. Really need to keep putting this kind of effort in now to stay up.
Ted: Manchester City didn't stumble, Forest were amazing. Awesome performance away from home. The fight was brilliant. We will stay up.
Analysis: How big a point could that be?published at 22:27 GMT 4 March
22:27 GMT 4 March
Shamoon Hafez Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest were the ones celebrating a point at the end of a frantic second half, but could well have taken home all three as the clocked ticked into added time.
Elliot Anderson, who has been linked with a move to Manchester City in the summer transfer window, swung in a corner which was met by Ryan Yates at the near post, but the substitute thumped his header the wrong side of the post.
Forest needed to get something out of the game with West Ham beating Fulham and Anderson's equaliser ensured they did not drop into the bottom three but are now perilously close to it.
Despite the unlikely point, Forest remain winless in their last six league games, while ex-Wolves boss Pereira is yet to taste victory as a top-flight manager in 13 attempts this season.
Man City 2-2 Nottingham Forest: What Pereira and Anderson saidpublished at 22:02 GMT 4 March
22:02 GMT 4 March
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Watch Pereira's chat with BBC Match of the Day here
Vitor Pereira spoke to TNT Sports after Nottingham Forest's draw against Manchester City: "It is not easy to play here against City, with one day less to recover. In the end we played a good game, first half more defending, but we created two big chances to score. After their goal we started to understand the spaces they concede to us, and we scored good goal.
"It was a pity the corner [City's second goal] because we knew they would try the far post. But overall I am happy with the speed, the performance, and it is very positive to see our future together.
On his confidence of avoiding relegation: "I am very positive, I believe a lot in the quality of the players. I believe with a little bit of time, I hope next week, we can increase our level. They have quality, we are organised, and I believe with this spirit we have the conditions to get points everywhere.
"[I have had only] two training sessions with the team, because the other ones were to recover the team, not to work [on new ideas]."
On City's penalty appeals: "It's normal in football. They want to win, to push the referee, this is normal. In my opinion this is not a game we can complain about the referee."
Elliot Anderson spoke to TNT Sports: "It was massive, obviously we've had a poor run, we knew coming here we would have to fight and work hard because they are a top side. We dug out a point, we are really happy.
"It keeps us pushing, we've got such a team spirit. I couldn't fault the effort of the lads, I thought we fought really hard today."
On Morgan Gibbs-White's backheel goal: "It was a great finish and got the belief going for the team.
"We've got a few days off after a lot of games. Then we will be back on the pitch working top pick up more points in this battle."
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Arsenal" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Man Utd", for instance.
Manchester City v Nottingham Forest: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 09:08 GMT 4 March
09:08 GMT 4 March
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Manchester City go in search of a seventh consecutive win in all competitions, hosting relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Wednesday's match (19:30 GMT).
Semenyo shining for City
No Erling Haaland, no problem. Manchester City were without their top scorer for the visit to Leeds – the city where the Norwegian was born – but nonetheless recorded another important victory to keep the pressure on leaders Arsenal.
Perhaps it should be no surprise. City have won 14 of the 18 top-flight fixtures Haaland has missed since arriving in 2022, losing only twice.
Manager Pep Guardiola hailed the result as a "huge victory", praising his team's "incredible focus" after surviving sustained late pressure at Elland Road. Grinding out victories has become something of a hallmark for this current City side, who have won three of their past four league games by a single-goal margin.
While defender Marc Guehi played a crucial role in City hanging on to their lead on Saturday, it was fellow January signing Antoine Semenyo who was the match-winner. The Ghana international has scored six times in 11 league and cup appearances since joining from Bournemouth for an initial £62.5m, helping to relieve the goalscoring burden on Haaland.
Overall, he has been directly involved in 18 Premier League goals this season, scoring 14 and assisting four more. Only three players had higher figures prior to the latest round of fixtures.
Can Igor Jesus find his scoring touch in the Premier League?
Nottingham Forest have lost their three Premier League matches at the Etihad Stadium by an aggregate score of 11-0 and new boss Vitor Pereira believes his struggling team must "approach this game with intelligence", stressing they need to recognise "when it's not the time to press".
Pereira's cautious approach may be understandable given he has not celebrated a Premier League win since last April, when his Wolves side defeated Leicester 3-0. But if Forest are to stay up, more cutting edge will be needed. Their tally of 26 goals this season is the second lowest in the top flight, with only Wolves having netted fewer.
Chris Wood led the line effectively last term, hitting 20 Premier League goals, but has not played since October because of a knee injury. Forest have therefore turned to Igor Jesus, who joined from Botafogo last summer for £10m. While the 25-year-old is his side's top scorer this season he has struggled to make an impact when it matters most.
Ten of his 12 goals have come in cup competitions, where he has demonstrated elite finishing, scoring with 35.7% of his shots and outperforming his expected goals figure by more than four.
But it has been a very different story in the Premier League. While he has attempted 50 shots, only 10 have been on target and just two have resulted in goals – a paltry shot conversion rate of 4%.
Sutton's predictions: Man City v Nottingham Forestpublished at 08:09 GMT 4 March
08:09 GMT 4 March
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira was brought in to keep them up but he has a 0% winning ratio in the Premier League this season after 10 games in charge of Wolves and now two defeats with Forest.
It's hard to see that changing at Etihad Stadium - City are going to win comfortably, whether or not Erling Haaland is back from injury to lead their attack.
Pereira was moaning about the way Forest pressed in their defeat by Brighton at the weekend, but if you keep bringing in different managers and changing the way you play, then it is going to end up biting you on the backside.
'Perhaps last season was a complete freak'published at 16:18 GMT 3 March
16:18 GMT 3 March
Pat Riddell Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
The inquest has already begun. The search for answers has been under way for a while now. But the season still goes on. And the blame game for Nottingham Forest's slow demise will be far reaching – and probably inconclusive.
Sunday's loss to Brighton & Hove Albion was largely down to defensive mistakes. Despite playing as we did, a point was still achievable.
But it was the same as the previous Sunday against Liverpool. Do those errors happen if the same players didn't have to grind out a result against Fenerbahce on Thursday? Some questions never have answers.
Perhaps last season was a complete freak. A season where the stars aligned and while other clubs were off form, we had a mean defence and the ability to score from limited chances.
But that's probably being generous to the cacophony of mistakes made this season. To spend £200m in one summer and only have one or two regular performers is a disaster. Many of them may still come good, but we didn't need signings for the future; we needed signings to play in the league and three cups in the present.
It is, of course, easy to point the finger at Edu. The global head of football arrived last July and everything's gone wrong since.
The signings, the falling out with Nuno Espirito Santo and what followed… but that's conjecture. Surely he alone is not responsible for everything that's happened?
Who sacked Nuno, appointed Ange Postecoglou, sacked Postecoglou, appointed Sean Dyche, sacked Dyche and then appointed Vitor Pereira?
Evangelos Marinakis might be a man of strong will but, again, surely he alone is not responsible for all of those decisions?
The players on the pitch often bear the brunt of failure - whether it's booing, online criticism or just being dropped from the team sheet. But you have to have some sympathy for coping with the turmoil around them. Changing managers, changing training, changing tactics…
It's a mess, and largely one of our own making. But what are the answers?
Well, sign a top-class striker last summer and don't sack Nuno are the two obvious ones. But it's too late for that.
Now we simply have to be better than the two clubs either side of us in the table — West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur. Either way, the inquest will continue.
Forest need to 'make do and mend' - Smithpublished at 12:00 GMT 3 March
12:00 GMT 3 March
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The Observer's Rory Smith believes Nottingham Forest are underachieving this season with the players they have and actually have a better squad than West Ham and Tottenham.
"Make do and mend," to pull them away from the relegation scrap should be Vitor Pereira's attitude, Smith said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.
'Indications Edu's Forest exit may be looming'published at 17:11 GMT 2 March
17:11 GMT 2 March
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
It is fair to glean that Nottingham Forest's appointment of Edu as global head of football has not gone according to plan.
Such was the optimism that accompanied the executive's appointment last summer that no-one could have envisaged what was ahead.
Edu officially arrived in July, his appointment at the City Ground viewed as a major coup.
The Brazilian was key in Arsenal's re-emergence as a domestic and European force; in tandem with Mikel Arteta reconstructing a squad that – for so long – flattered to deceive.
Behind the scenes he was central to establishing an inclusive culture at the club. Speak to many who worked under Edu at Arsenal and they will tell you his work towards nurturing a connected workforce was his most important achievement at the north London club.
But Edu yearned for greater responsibility. He was excited by the idea of working under an international multi-club model; an objective that working under Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis' stable of teams – that also includes Olympiakos and Rio Ave – would allow.
Arsenal tried to keep Edu at the Emirates, but by the time the Gunners could assemble a package to keep the executive he was too far down the line with Forest.
Yet, fast forward nine months, things have not worked out as hoped.
The biggest indictment on Forest's season is their alarming slide towards relegation trouble.
The club are currently just two points clear of the relegation zone, a far cry from last season's push for Champions League qualification and eventual passage into the Europa League.
Then, of course, there's the managerial upheaval that has characterised their campaign.
Having started the season with Nuno Espirito Santo in charge, Forest's players are now working under their fourth manager of the season.
Nuno was sacked, largely owing to a breakdown in relations with Edu. Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche have also lost their jobs.
Vitor Pereira has been tasked with guiding Forest to top-flight survival, but he is yet to win a Premier League game since his appointment last month.
Given the club have spent close to £200m on new players since the summer, a recruitment path that Edu – given his remit – has been central too, it would be understandable if figures at the City Ground are underwhelmed by it all.
Forest appeared to be on the cusp of an exciting new era at the start of the season with Edu viewed as one of the key drivers on that journey.
His body of work at Forest is under the microscope.
There have been indications from sources that the 47-year-old has found himself under increasing internal scrutiny in recent weeks amid inidications an exit may be looming - though Forest insist there is no truth to those suggestions.
The implications of Forest's season remain to be seen, though history tells us Marinakis is not afraid to react in light of what he views as underachievement.
What looked to be the start of a blossoming relationship has turned into an episode that supporters fear could lead them into the Championship.