Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest defender Andrew Omobamidele has spoken to BBC East Midlands Today about his football upbringing – which included growing up as part of a family of diehard Reds fans in the Republic of Ireland.

The 21-year-old, who joined Forest from Norwich last summer, says he has his uncle to thank for his lifelong link to the East Midlands club.

“When I was younger and staying at my grandparents house, I used to stay in his room and it was just full of Forest shirts, Forest pictures, trophies and teddy bears,” he said.

“It’s mad to think how the world works.”

Omobamidele made an £11m move to Forest from Championship side Norwich last September, but had to wait until January for his debut.

When it came against Blackpool in the FA Cup, he made it a dream start by scoring in the 16th minute of their third-round replay win – which was eventually decided by a Chris Wood goal in extra-time.

He has gone on to feature in nine Premier League games, starting seven, for a side battling to avoid the drop.

And while Omobamidele is a Republic of Ireland international determined to try to “give the fans what they deserve” with top-flight safety, he revealed how much his grounding as a player with small hometown side Leixlip United continues to influence him.

His former coach Kenny Molloy remains in constant contact with rising star.

“He is still heavily invested in what I do now,” Omobamidele said.

“After games he is either telling me I’ve played well or if I haven’t. The relationship we have, football related or not football related, he is there for me.”

Footage courtesy of Norwich City and FAI.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steven Hodge believes defender Murillo "will one day catch someone out" after another audacious long range effort only narrowly missed the target in Forest's 3-1 defeat against Tottenham on Sunday.

Speaking on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Hodge thinks goalkeepers will have to be aware of the centre-back's threat and willingness to shoot from range.

"As soon as he strikes it, you're looking at the flight of the ball and thinking the keeper's on the edge of the box - he's not going to get that and he wasn't," said Hodge.

"It bounced probably eight to nine yards out and just bounced a yard to the side of the upright. A yard the other way and it hits the post or goes in."

The 21-year-old, who joined the Reds from Brazilian side Corinthians in the summer, is yet to score but Hodge believes his first goal is coming.

"To strike a ball that far, he strikes the ball so sweetly that any keeper who would know him on his left foot will have half an eye thinking 'I need to be careful of this guy because he can strike it 60 yards without a problem.'

"That's twice now he's nearly scored - one day he'll do it. I guarantee one day he'll catch somebody out."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's game between Nottingham Forest and Wolves in the Premier League.

• Nottingham Forest have won just one of their last 10 league games against Wolves (D4 L5) and are winless in all three against them in the Premier League (D2 L1).

• Wolves are unbeaten in their last five away league games against Nottingham Forest (W3 D2), since a 3-1 Championship defeat in March 2013.

• No side has lost more Premier League games in 2024 than Nottingham Forest (7), with only Burnley (8) and Sheffield United (7) earning fewer points than Forest so far this calendar year (9).

• Wolves have kept just two clean sheets in their last 32 Premier League away games, with both of those coming this season in a 1-0 win at Everton (August) and 0-0 draw at Brighton (January).

• Chris Wood has scored 12 Premier League goals for Nottingham Forest this season, only ever netting more in the 2019-20 campaign (14 with Burnley). Only against West Ham (7) has he scored more Premier League goals than he has against Wolves (6), and he scored his first ever Premier League hat-trick against them in April 2021.

• Only Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey (7) have combined for more Premier League goals this season than Nottingham Forest duo Anthony Elanga and Chris Wood (6). It’s the second most goal combinations for a Forest pair in a single Premier League campaign, after Bryan Roy and Stan Collymore in 1994-95 (7).

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Everton's deduction of six points for the three-year period to 2021-22 was for losses of £19.5m over the £105m permitted threshold, while Nottingham Forest were deducted four points for breaching the permitted £61m threshold by £34.5m for the three-year period to 2022-23.

The Toffees argued at the hearing that this is unfair and Forest had breached the threshold by significantly more - 56.6% in one reporting period - compared with their cumulative total of 34% (£36.1m) over the two reporting periods.

The independent commission says Forest's sanction was originally set at six points but two points were credited for "early admission and exceptional cooperation" with the process, which the Premier League said Everton did not do.

The commission added that the decision made in Everton's case is "broadly consistent" with the one made in the Forest case, saying Everton's punishment is "justifiably higher" because they had exceeded the threshold in two consecutive financial years.

With that in mind, the commission says it "does not regard" Everton's second points deduction to be "excessive, unfair to Everton or disproportionate" in comparison with the Forest decision.

Meanwhile, the Blues said in a statement that the club is "extremely concerned" at the "inconsistency" of the punishments, with four different commissions issuing four different points deductions this season.

Read more on the points deduction here

As it was in the Championship, so it is in the Premier League. Nottingham Forest rarely have a year when nothing is at stake by the business end of the season.

Whether battling relegation or fighting for promotion, it is familiar ground for Forest fans. But, evidently, it is very different this time around.

Despite a four-point deduction, Premier League safety is very much in the Reds' hands - even if the unknown variables still have a part to play.

With the club's PSR appeal expected to be heard by 12 April, and news of Everton's additional two-point deduction, the picture could be a lot clearer soon. And if Forest manage to take points off the clubs around them in their remaining fixtures then relegation can be kept at bay for another year.

'If' is doing a lot of heavy work, of course.

Nuno Espirito Santo faces his second former club in a week on Saturday, with Wolves being the first of the final three home games of the campaign.

The final three away fixtures, however, against Everton, Sheffield United and Burnley are expected to be the real crunch games.

But as always with Forest, you never really know when or where the points will come.

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club, external

Former Tottenham winger Andros Townsend says officials made the right decision to not give James Maddison a red card after his incident with Nottingham Forests's Ryan Yates on Sunday, saying you need "conclusive evidence" to make a decision.

However former Premier League striker Chris Sutton says Maddison was "very lucky" to not get sent off.

Listen to the full Monday Night Club episode on BBC Sounds

We asked for your views on Sunday's Premier League game between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your responses:

Spurs fans

Paul: Not one of our most fluent performances as we gave Forest far too many chances, but the result is the most important thing at this stage of the season. Maddison was a little fortunate that the VAR didn’t get him sent off - he is too important for us to have him miss a few games. Great for Van de Ven and Porro, who have been superb all season.

Martin: Great opening 15 minutes but the Forest equaliser generated and exposed a mental fragility, especially in midfield. We needed half-time to resume the usual improved intensity of the second half. Only Van de Ven was excellent. Son a rare disappointment.

Jonesy: Our league position conceals the true level of our general play. We make so many misplaced passes all over the pitch and turn over possession repeatedly. Play like that against at top team and we’re going to get severely punished. I agree with the coach, top four or not is irrelevant - we need to improve the level of our performance throughout the 90.

Rog: Important win but flattering scoreline. Hate to say it but Son playing as centre-forward is a liability. Loses possession too easily and lets us get turned over. Also takes away his goal and assist threat. Werner and Johnson can create but don’t look like scoring. Desperately need a centre-forward who can hold up and finish if we are going to complete at the top.

Forest fans

Andrew: Simple key decisions not going for us yet again. A clear as day red card for Maddison at 1-1. Suspect we'll see Maddison retrospectively charged - or perhaps not as it will then mean they contradict VAR. Wood takes the chance for 2-1 and Maddison is sent off? Completely different game. Still in our hands with six to go, with Everton’s decision to come.

Doug: We seriously need to get a grip of the next six games, otherwise it’s back to the Championship. After Sunday's first-half performance, where we looked a reasonable side, the second half was a disaster. If we continue like we played in the second half then it’s goodbye Premier League. We didn’t look like we could win a raffle on that 45 minutes performance.

Greg: We showed quality on the counter-attack in the first half and it’s a shame Chris Woods missed the best chance of the game. A bit of finesse, as he did against Newcastle, would have been perfect. A goal at that stage could have changed the outcome. Yates was out of order in the Maddison punch incident. I agree with Roy Keane - stop the spoiler tactics!

Sean: That's one of those games we expected nothing from, so we weren't disappointed at least. However, we played well, were brave with chances when we could be, but unlucky as Chris wood hit the post. It could have been different. Maddison is a lucky boy. He's very talented but got away with punching Yates there. Hope he's punished.

Watch the best of the action from Tottenham v Nottingham Forest on Match of the Day 2 on BBC iPlayer

Image source, Reuters

Luton Town are going to stay up and Nottingham Forest are "in a mess".

That is the view of ESPN's senior writer Mark Ogden after watching this weekend's Premier League fixtures unfold.

A late winner from Carlton Morris against Bournemouth on Saturday drew the Hatters level with Forest on the edge of the relegation zone with just six games to go and, despite a promising performance at Spurs on Sunday, Nuno Espirito Santo's side were defeated.

"I have backed Luton to stay up, so I think Forest will get relegated," Ogden said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"There just seems to be a nervousness in how they are playing and in the way they approach games. It might be because they went through it last season and know how edgy it can be. They got away with last year but now there is a different vibe.

"As for Luton, this is almost a free hit with no pressure or expectancy. They have a spirit about them."

Ex-West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker agreed, praising the tenacity and mindset Luton have showed all season.

"There are no nerves and they just stick to their principles," he said. "They are getting results and believe in what they are doing.

"For Forest, the last thing they need is to keep conceding goals. They did not kill Tottenham off on Sunday either and they were punished."

Listen to more on the relegation battle from 26'05 on BBC Sounds

Mark Chapman introduces highlights and analysis from Sunday's three Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day 2, you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to Sunday's BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Sports Extra match commentary in full:

Manchester United v Liverpool

Sheffield United v Chelsea

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Nottingham Forest recorded a fine 3-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday to end a six-match winless run, but were second best against Spurs.

That said, the visitors did have plenty of bright moments as their manager Nuno Espirito Santo faced his former employers for the first time.

Defender Murillo almost netted a goal-of-the-season contender, spotting Tottenham keeper Guglielmo Vicario off his line and attempting to lob him from well inside his own half. His shot though dropped just wide.

And there were two more 'what if?' moments just after Wood's equaliser.

First Vicario could only parry Ryan Yates' low shot straight to Wood, but the forward smashed the rebound against the post from four yards out.

And then Tottenham midfielder James Maddison was lucky to go unpunished after clashing with Ryan Yates.

"I was surprised VAR didn't [send Maddison off]," Nuno told BBC Match of the Day.

"Maddison lost composure and punched Yates in the stomach.

"It's a red card. I spoke to Yates and asked him and what he felt and I saw the images. I wouldn't speak if I wasn't 100% sure."

Nottingham Forest captain Ryan Yates has been speaking to Sky Sports following the defeat: "Tottenham are a great team. They started really sharp and deserved to go 1-0 up. We dug deep and got back into it. They punished us with two great finishes.

"The teams at the top starve you of the ball and they play around you. We have to just take the positives and move swiftly on."

On the red card appeal against James Maddison: "James Maddison is a good player. I know he makes them tick. It is my job to disrupt the momentum. A few decisions probably didn't go our way, but we have seen the inconsistency in the Premier League this season.

"We have got a massive home game coming up, and our last performance at home was really good. It [the home form] was huge last year and we need the fans to give us the extra boost.

"We want to try and get as many points as quickly as possible."

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to BBC Sport following the defeat: "The first half was good. We were playing the game we wanted to play, controlling Tottenham, with good moments on the ball.

"We created chances and we scored. I am disappointed with the second half. We were passive.

"Chris Wood is huge for us - he scored again.

"Two moments in the first half changed the game. I was surprised VAR didn't [send James Maddison off]. Maddison lost composure and punched [Ryan] Yates in the stomach. Then the missed chance we had [when Chris Wood hit the post]."

On Maddison not being sent off: "I saw it. What I see is clear. What they saw clearly is not the same as what we saw. It is a red card. I spoke to Yates and asked him what he felt and I saw the images. I wouldn't speak if I wasn't 100% sure."

On Chris Wood's miss: "He is a good finisher. The ball goes on the post, it should be inside. Those two moments can change the game. The second half was not the standard we would like."

On returning to his old club: "It is another game. It was a pleasure to work here but now I am involved in another fight. This is our job as managers. Maybe one day I will return to the City Ground.

"It [the relegation battle] is going to be until the end [of the season], so we have to focus game by game."

Here are the key facts and figures following Sunday’s game between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

• Tottenham Hotspur have won each of their past six Premier League meetings with Nottingham Forest, their longest ongoing winning run against a current top-flight opponent, and their longest overall run in the competition since recording nine straight victories against Crystal Palace between September 2015 and September 2019.

• Since the beginning of last season, Nottingham Forest have won fewer away points (18 – W3 D9 L23) and lost more away games (23) than any other ever-present Premier League team.

• With Micky van de Ven and Pedro Porro both scoring today, Tottenham have now scored 11 Premier League goals through defenders so far this season, the joint-most in the competition alongside Arsenal.

• Chris Wood has scored 12 goals for Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this season, with only Stan Collymore (22 goals in 1994-95) and Bryan Roy (13 goals in 1994-95) netting more in a single campaign for the Reds.

• Murillo's own goal was the fifth Tottenham Hotspur have benefitted from in the Premier League this season, the outright most of any side.

Tottenham returned to the Premier League's top four for the first time since February by beating Nottingham Forest.

The hosts opened the scoring inside 15 minutes when Forest defender Murillo diverted Timo Werner's cross into his own net.

Forest levelled 12 minutes later through Chris Wood, who finished off Anthony Elanga's cross.

But centre-back Micky van de Ven restored Tottenham's lead in the 52nd minute with a thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty area that found the top corner.

And six minutes later, Pedro Porro netted a third for Spurs, hammering in James Maddison's pass across goal.

Victory meant Tottenham moved above Aston Villa on goal difference, having played one game fewer.

Nottingham Forest stayed 17th, only outside of the drop zone thanks to their superior goal difference over Luton Town.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from elsewhere?

Spurs fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Forest fans?

Follow all of the reaction here

Three matches make up Sunday's Premier League action, and we will bring you every moment.

BBC Radio 5 Live commentaries:

• Manchester United v Liverpool

• Sheffield United v Chelsea

All kick-off times BST

Listen to radio commentaries and follow live text updates here

Chris Sutton is making predictions for every Premier League game this season against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on darts stars Luke Littler and Nathan Aspinall, who both support Manchester United.

Sutton's prediction: 4-1

Nottingham Forest's win over Fulham on Tuesday was massive for them and a point here would be really important too.

I don't see it happening, though. Nuno Espirito Santo did not have much to celebrate during his brief spell as Spurs boss in 2021, and I can't see him having much reason to smile on his return to the club.

Like I do most weeks, I am backing Tottenham to click here. I am going to make Son Heung-min captain of my fantasy team this weekend, because I am expecting a hat-trick from him, and a big win for Spurs.

I get the feeling some people are looking at Tottenham and wondering if they have lost a bit of the fizz they had earlier in the season, but I disagree.

They are not on an amazing run of form at the moment, but I still think they have had a great first campaign under Ange Postecoglou. He is all about performances and progress and I don't think anyone can deny they have made progress, despite losing Harry Kane to Bayern Munich just before the season started.

Littler's prediction: I've got to go with Spurs at home. 3-1

Aspinall's prediction: 2-0

See the full list of predictions

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media before Sunday's trip to Tottenham in the Premier League (18:00 BST kick-off).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• There are no new injury concerns following the 3-1 win over Fulham on Tuesday and the squad will be the same.

• He provided injury updates on longer-term absentees Willy Boly and Taiwo Awoniyi: Boly is "still out and still on treatment", while the club still do not have the exact timeframe for Awoniyi's return.

• Nuno praised the reaction since receiving the points deduction, after managing to recoup the four points in just two games: "It was a good reaction. They were good games, especially the last one [against Fulham]. I think we did things really well, but we still have a long way to go."

• The Portuguese said it will be a "pleasure" to return to his former club in the opposition dugout, but added: "It is part of the past now. My focus is on Forest and I am really, really determined to try to achieve a good performance."

• Nuno is expecting a "hard" test against Tottenham, as the Reds hunt for just their third Premier League away win of this season: "It will be very hard, not only because of us but because we are going to face a very good team. Spurs are a team full of great, talented players, have a very good manager and they are in a good moment."

• He added that the aim is to "sustain" their recent performances against Ange Postecoglou's side: "This is our major challenge. This is what we are looking to try to repeat."

• On Chris Wood stepping up: "Chris has been very important for us, especially with the absence of Taiwo [Awoniyi]. He knows the needs that we have in that position and he has been performing very well. Hopefully he keeps like that - healthy and always available."

• Nuno said the fans' support will be "very important" in the final stretch of the season: "The demonstration was in the last game [against Fulham]. The noise the City Ground made and the help they gave to the players was so important for us. We know that we are going to get this support away from home, so hopefully we can deliver again."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences

There is a three point gap between Nottingham Forest and 18th placed Luton Town with seven games remaining, but will it be enough?

On the latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss the run-in and how hopes were boosted following the midweek victory over Fulham.

"They have now set the bar," said Fray. "They have proved they can get there and they need to get there again.

"Tottenham will be tough away from home. It is not going to be straightforward for them but they have shown what they can do now.

"That has to be the level they strive to get too."

Under the lights of the City Ground on Tuesday, Nuno Espirito Santo's side put three past Fulham in the first half to record a much-needed win.

"For the first time in quite some time, I felt that the atmosphere was getting back to where it was this time last season," added Fray. "It is almost as if the whole club and the supporters have gone into survival mode.

"Now it really matters and now is the time we need to come together - and it felt like that on Tuesday.

"The hope has to be that if they continue to play like they did the other night, they will get enough points between now and the end of the season."

Listen to the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast on BBC Sounds

I have been in lots of relegation battles. I got relegated in my first year in the Premier League with Manchester City when I was only a teenager. I had to deal with that adversity so I know what it is like.

I do not think people crack or feel anxious in relegation fights, but you know when you are beaten. It is hard to fully motivate yourself as a team to get the desire to go back out there.

In these battles there are always people complaining and there are changes too. Managers are under pressure and fans add pressure as well.

There is no doubt that it is difficult.

There might not be a lot of hope for those teams in the relegation zone at the moment, but those players will still want to be playing in the Premier League next season. So they still have to use this time to shine because they inevitably will want a move back to a top-flight club.

Michael Brown was speaking to BBC Sport's Katie Stafford