Vitor Pereira
Nottingham Forest’s battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League remains precarious as they sit just above the drop zone on goal difference. The Reds managed a 0-0 draw against Fulham, which allowed them to climb out of the relegation zone, but their ongoing struggle with scoring goals continues to be a significant issue. With a crucial fixture against Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon, the pressure is mounting on Vitor Pereira’s side to secure points and ensure their Premier League survival.
Vitor Pereira said: “In my opinion, I said to them (the players) now, this is not a speed race. This is a marathon until the end and in our minds. Of course, this was a chance to get three points, but the next game we have another chance to get three points. This is the spirit, it’s not because we play home or away. I think it will be tough until the end. The decision, I believe, the decision will be at the end. I hope that we can get points before then to (stay out of) the relegation zone. Still a lot of games to play, but it was important to show what they showed, independently of the result. When you are honest, you need to be honest, give everything, then the football will give you back. That was my words before the game, so this happened. As I said, it was not easy, and now we need to see what to do in these two games, in front of us, to see who is able to play, who is not able to play, who is injured, who is not injured, so it’s not easy.”
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We’re always trying to demand more out of our boys, but they’ve been working very hard and organisation is the fundamental of football. You have to be in the right place, you have to cover, you have to help each other, you have to make the balances. When we don’t have the ball like in this game, it’s very important to keep to your tasks. The result helps us recover because it was a big effort from the boys and it will help us during the week to recover well, in a good mood, enjoying that we are doing things well. But we are realising that nothing has changed, our fans know it, we know it, we have to work very hard, very hard, very hard. We don’t look at the table, we try to ignore it and stay humble, stay humble, stay humble, recognise that it’s a long, long way to go.”
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke said: “I think it was one of the rare games where the team who has to play for such a long period in underload even had more expected goals than the home team. We kept a clean sheet. Even in the second half we were sometimes closer to score the winning goal. I am just proud of this performance and how united we were again. Pretty sure, normally you should be in the lead at half-time and also pretty sure that if we would have been allowed to finish the game or to play for more with 11 players, we would have won the game. So for that, yes, there is a slight disappointment that it was not to be but on the other hand under these circumstances, a priceless point. Also, really good for the confidence, our travel away here with a clean sheet, a valuable point, another clean sheet. A bit closer to what we want to achieve and to that definitely also a good day for us.”
Micah Richards said: “I really worry for Nottingham Forest now, with no Chris Wood and creating the amount of chances but not taking them. West Ham are playing really well and seem to be balanced in their shape. If you look at the last fixtures, you can see a better performance from West Ham. At the end of the day, you need goalscorers. Leeds always feel like they are in the game and can create chances. I think Leeds will do enough.”
Wayne Rooney said: “I agree, I worry for Forest. But also for Tottenham as well. Tottenham have had the best weekend out of all the teams down there because no one expected them to get anything against Liverpool. But I still think there’s just something not right.”
Forest winger Dan Ndoye said: “All of the games are cup finals for us now. Our future is in our own hands between now and the end of the season. We need to continue to work and stick together, which is the most important thing for us. We have everything that we need to keep our place in the Premier League. There were positives for us, and we need to continue playing like that. We tried everything against Fulham but unfortunately it was not enough, so we need to continue like that.”
The race to avoid relegation is intensifying as Nottingham Forest, West Ham, and Leeds United are all tightly clustered in the standings. Forest and West Ham are both on 29 points, while Leeds sits slightly ahead with 32 points. As the season nears its conclusion, each match becomes crucial in determining who will remain in the Premier League. Forest’s upcoming fixture against Tottenham will be pivotal, as they need to capitalize on every opportunity to secure their top-flight status.
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