Nottingham Forest

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  1. 'Truly remarkable' to survive but is Pereira safe in his role?published at 12:26 BST

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    Vitor Pereira acknowledges the fansImage source, Getty Images

    BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray believes Vitor Pereira has carried out a "terrific turnaround" at Nottingham Forest since arriving in February, having ensured Premier League safety and guided the club to a Europa League semi-final.

    So we asked you to rate his time at the club so far and for your thoughts on safety being secured.

    Here are some of your replies:

    Tina: It feels a bit like a miracle. He has moulded a disjointed group of lads into a team again. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I respect to him for doing it and the team for embracing it. We've had fight, fire and an attitude that I was worried had abandoned us. Good job, boss!

    Ian: What he has done is truly remarkable but, looking at the stats, it is clear we've massively over-performed and we've had more than our slice of luck. What has happened over last eight games is not sustainable. Ultimately, things will settle back to a true reflection of where we are, which unfortunately is a bottom-third-of-the-league side. Unless we hit lucky with recruitment, I can see our owner getting another manager in after a poor start to next season.

    Edward: For the first time this season the players truly responded to a head coach. Maybe it was a combination of Vitor's approach and a realisation that the players couldn't be seen to not cooperate with another head coach. With the number and quality of managerial free agents available this summer, it would be perfectly in character for Evangelos Marinakis to ditch him for a bigger name. If he does stay, I hope everyone is on the same page regarding recruitment and business is done early. All of this season's failures stemmed from the club's fractious pre-season; in stark contrast to the harmonious pre-season of 2024-25.

    TJ: Vitor Pereira is exactly what Forest need. For us, it is more about connection with the manager than the playing style - and luckily he has brought both. This is the best football we have played for a few years. However, I still think he might get the chop this summer and I'm fearful for next season without Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White!

    Sean: When Vitor was appointed, my exact reaction was that - as our fourth manager of the season - it didn't matter what he'd bring because we'd still go down. Turmoil behind-the-scenes, a disjointed squad and an unhappy fanbase was too much to overcome, in my opinion. However, sitting safe in the Premier League for our fourth season in a row, I'm glad to be wrong. He has turned it around and done it in style. We've been competitive against the likes of Man City and Liverpool, and we were scoring for fun against Burnley and Sunderland. Plus we got that victory against Chelsea with our misfiring B-team. I'm tipping us for relegation again next season, if only to be proven drastically wrong again! In Vitor we trust.

  2. 'Absolute clarity' needed to avoid another season of 'chaos'published at 08:15 BST

    Pat Riddell
    Fan writer

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    Vitor Pereira applauds his team's supportersImage source, Getty Images

    In a week in which Nottingham Forest achieved one of their two goals this season - and narrowly missed out on the other - thoughts now turn to the future.

    Securing Premier League survival with two games to go means planning can begin for next season. Sadly, it's not planning for a place in the Champions League but, after two seasons of almost qualifying, it seems realistic to aim high.

    But what does planning look like? Vitor Pereira only has until next summer on his contract and without Champions League football it's likely that we'll lose one or two star players.

    It's hard to see a world where we keep Elliot Anderson after the World Cup, but if he's being talked about as the most expensive English Premier League player... well, we should have some money to strengthen.

    But, if anything, we need stability this summer - last summer's chaos followed by the ongoing turmoil of this season means we need to get it right. Very few of the new arrivals in 2026, and during the January transfer window, hit the ground running and ultimately - on top of four managers - that almost got us relegated.

    Even without European competition, there are still 38 Premier League games and two cup competitions to battle for so, for any kind of consistency, we need a squad ready to deal with injuries, suspensions and tactical changes.

    The work begins now for the club to be ready for pre-season in July.

    There are still two games left and a World Cup in between, but absolute clarity is needed for next season to avoid the mess we embraced this campaign.

    Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

  3. 🎧 Premier League safety securedpublished at 16:12 BST 11 May

    The latest news and views on Forest in two minutes, every weekday afternoon.

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    Forest Daily: Premier League safety secured

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  4. Pereira has made Nottingham Forest 'a happy place again'published at 15:12 BST 11 May

    Colin Fray
    BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

    Vitor Pereira acknowledges the fansImage source, Getty Images

    It has been a terrific turnaround by Nottingham Forest in the backend of this season.

    They were in big trouble, but Vitor Pereira and his coaching staff have managed to get a disjointed squad turned around into a side that is now unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games.

    In those eight games, they have taken 16 points. From the previous 28 games, they had taken 27 points. So they have gone from earning less than one point per game for the first 28 games to taking two points per game for the last eight games.

    That shows the turnaround.

    It needed to be such a turnaround as well because the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Leeds have been winning matches down there as well. Forest have had to be that good to get to safety - and they did it with two games spare in the end.

    They can relax at least now because they know they will be playing Premier League football next season, but I'm sure they will be aiming to finish the season with Pereira's unbeaten Premier League run intact.

    Then it will be about rebuilding to make sure they aren't down at that end of the table against next season.

    What Vitor Pereira has done is put smiles on faces. He has made the Forest dressing room a happy place again. They have always been a confident bunch, no matter the head coach, because they always felt they had enough in there but they needed some unification.

    Pereira has certainly done that. I remember when he walked into the job, on his first day there he said: 'A smile can do magic' - and he has beamed his way through his tenure at Forest.

    Do you think it is a job well done for Vitor Pereira? How would you rate his time at the club so far?

    Let us know your thoughts here

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  5. Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:05 BST 11 May

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    We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Nottingham Forest fans

    Richard: A gritty battling performance with a depleted squad to see the Reds over the finishing line of safety. Over the last month every player in the squad has played their part in securing safety in the Premier League and reaching the semi-final of the Europa League. This truly is an amazing football club.

    Kris: A hard-earned point and another season of Premier League football assured. So pleased for Elliot Anderson, showing great character. A lot to do over the summer and hopefully recruitment will be better and we'll have a little less managerial drama!

    Colin: On the back of getting knocked out of Europe on Thursday and also having played so many games in a short period of time along with all the injuries we have, it wasn't the best performance as regards good football but the effort and commitment to get a result to stay in the Premier League next season was immense. Well done Nottingham Forest.

    Mark: Fair result, Forest looked like they were running on fumes. Tactical changes after 10 minutes or so made it more of a competition. Newcastle looked slick at times, so thanks to Matz Sels for keeping us in the game.

    Newcastle fans

    Geoff: Exactly the same as we've played all season. Play well. Dominate the game. Take the lead only to lose it again late in game. Eddie Howe has gone as far as he can with this team. Replace him and clear out half of that inept team too.

    Mike: Another poor performance, except for one good move that resulted in a goal. Lots of possession and opportunities but no killer instinct in front of goal and poor defending. Too predictable I'm afraid!

    Gordon: Yet again we took the lead and failed to defend it. What an unbelievable sequence this season. Full marks to Forest and Elliot Anderson in particular. You deserved the point.

    GPW: Same old defensive frailties combined with very poor finishing sums up Newcastle this season!

  6. 'Fitting for Anderson to have the last say'published at 19:02 BST 10 May

    Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Neco Williams and Nikola MilenkovicImage source, Getty Images

    Match of the Day pundit Shay Given on Elliot Anderson's performance for Nottingham Forest against his former club Newcastle: "It was fitting for him to have the last say in that game against his former club and after the sad passing of his mother.

    "He's shown incredible resolve over the last few weeks as losing a parent is one of the biggest things that could ever happen to anyone.

    "People often forget the human side of players, they aren't just robots. For him to keep playing at the level he has been - when he will have been hurting so much - has been unbelievable. It will have meant so much to him to score against Newcastle, his mum was a Geordie and he will no doubt have had mates in the away end.

    "He is some player and he has yet again shown what a mistake Newcastle made by letting him go.

    "That goal today has earned Forest the point that might be the one that seals their safety for next season. He got cramp when he scored and that showed just how much effort he puts in today and week in, week out."

  7. Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle: Pereira on 'the character and spirit' shownpublished at 17:57 BST 10 May

    Vitor Pereira has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham after Nottingham Forest's draw to Newcastle.

    He told Colin Fray: "After the Aston Villa game, we were mentally strong to come back and face a strong team - Newcastle.

    "Mentally and physically we were not with full energy because it's been four very difficult days after the game in Europa League. But in the end, the character and the spirit of these players is fantastic.

    "The supporters help us a lot and in the end we deserved the point.

    "Once it was 1-1 they gave everything to try and score a second goal and I am very happy with the players that came on from the bench. They gave everything to support the team."

    You can access loads of Forest audio from BBC Radio Nottingham here

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  8. Analysis: Anderson sends a reminder to Newcastlepublished at 17:40 BST 10 May

    Nick Mashiter
    Football reporter

    Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest celebrates after scoringImage source, Getty Images

    Newcastle did not need any reminder of what they had allowed to leave the club - but Anderson delivered one anyway.

    The midfielder cost Forest £35m when he joined two years ago and, despite some debatable recent recruitment at the City Ground, he has been a stunning success.

    His late equaliser pushed Forest closer to safety while damaging the Magpies' faint European hopes - and that scenario will not be lost on Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson, who helped bring Anderson to the Midlands club.

    Anderson is certain to go to the World Cup with England after becoming a key member of Thomas Tuchel's squad and Forest will struggle to hold onto him in the summer, with Manchester United and Manchester City reportedly circling.

    With no European football next season - those hopes ended with Thursday's Europa League semi-final defeat against Aston Villa - it is hard to envisage Anderson staying for another season.

    He pointed to the sky after his goal in tribute to his mother Helen, for whom Forest laid a wreath on the pitch against Burnley last month after her death.

    Forest have provided the perfect platform for the 23-year-old to flourish since he arrived in the Midlands and he has developed into one of the finest midfielders in the league.

  9. Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle: What Pereira and Anderson saidpublished at 16:53 BST 10 May

    Media caption,

    Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira, speaking to Sky Sports: "In the end I have reasons to be happy. Three games, very tough without time to recover and time to prepare in the proper way.

    "It was very difficult but the players showed the spirit, the character, and in the end they want to score a second goal.

    "I have to be honest that one point, in this moment of the season, is a good point with the players that we have injured at the moment. Difficult to find solutions and the players from the bench went in with spirit to help the team and try to score and I'm very happy with that.

    "The character of these players - a special group. They believe even after we conceded the goal that we can score. We did, and maybe, had a chance to score a second. This is the spirit I want in my team.

    "Now it's time to recover mentally and physically. Thanks to the supporters because they helped us a lot. We're looking to the future with belief and we know that next season will be good for us."

    Forest goalscorer Elliot Anderson, speaking to Sky Sports: "Massive - we knew going into these last few games it's important to pick up points and finish on a high. It's a good point considering as I don't think we were at our best today.

    "But when you're not at your best it's about not losing points and we've picked one good one up.

    "The subs brought some energy. It was tough out there. It was hot and everyone seemed really tired. A tough first half for both teams I think, but we finished well.

    "We've made a U-turn and done really well. The manager is brilliant and we're all behind him. It was a tough game midweek but we'll bounce back and now focus on the league.

    "One thing the manager said is that this group is full of fighters. Four managers means it has not been easy, but we've all stuck together and fought for each other."

    Did you know?

    • Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League games, with them last enjoying a longer run without defeat in the competition between February and November 1995 (25).

  10. Nottingham Forest v Newcastle: Team newspublished at 13:18 BST 10 May

    Nottingham Forest XI

    Vitor Pereira makes four changes to his injury-hit Nottingham Forest side.

    Matz Sels, Luca Netz, Dilane Bakwa and Taiwo Awoniyi start for the hosts with Murillo, Ibrahim Sangare, Ola Aina and Morgan Gibbs-White all sidelined.

    It is only defender Netz's second start since his February arrival and just winger Bakwa's sixth Premier League start of the season.

    Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Jair Cunha, Milenkovic, Morato, Netz, Anderson, Dominguez, Williams, Bakwa, I.Jesus, Awoniyi.

    Subs: Ortega, Wood, Lucca, Hutchinson, Moreira, Yates, McAtee, Whitehall, Sinclair.

    Record signing Nick Woltemade makes his first start since March as Newcastle make two changes for the trip to the City Ground.

    The Germany international and Lewis Hall have both been recalled by head coach Eddie Howe as he tweaks his side following last week's win against Brighton.

    Hall comes back in after Lewis Miley broke his leg in training earlier this week. It remains to be seen if Newcastle are lining up with a back five or if Hall has been tasked with playing out of position at right-back.

    Newcastle XI: Pope; Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Woltemade, Osula.

    Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Wissa, Gordon, Barnes, Elanga, Willock, A Murphy, Ramsey.

    Newcastle XI
  11. Follow Sunday's Premier League games livepublished at 12:55 BST 10 May

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  12. Sutton's predictions: Nottingham Forest v Newcastlepublished at 10:00 BST 10 May

    Chris Sutton smiling on a yellow and black background with 'Sutton's predictions' written below his face

    Nottingham Forest are not quite mathematically safe yet on 42 points and this weekend they play before West Ham and Tottenham do, so they will go into this game still needing something.

    Forest have come a long way under Vitor Pereira and are playing really well at the moment and scoring goals, but Morgan Gibbs-White has been key to all of that so they really need him to be available after his horrific head injury.

    My other worry with Forest is how much Thursday's Europa League semi-final with Aston Villa will take out of them - but at the same time I am not sure Newcastle can take advantage even if they are tired.

    The Magpies' win over Brighton was much-needed for their boss Eddie Howe but it was far from convincing. All things considered, this will probably end up in a draw.

    Sutton's prediction: 1-1

    Read the full predictions and have your say here

  13. Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 13:00 BST 9 May

    After the disappointment of losing in the Europa League semi-finals, Nottingham Forest return to action looking to taking a step closer to securing their Premier League status, against Newcastle on Sunday (14:00 BST). BBC Sport looks at the key themes ahead of the fixture.

    Forest must now concentrate on survival

    Having had their dreams of European glory ruthlessly dashed by Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest must now pick themselves up and secure the points they need to secure their Premier League status for next season.

    Six points clear of West Ham with three games to go, four points would definitely see them stay up, but a win should also prove to be enough given their vastly superior goal difference over the Hammers.

    The manner of Thursday's 4-0 defeat at Villa Park was surprising given what a rich vein of form they have been in.

    The improvement by Vitor Pereira's side in front of goal in recent weeks has been astonishing. Having managed a paltry 28 goals in their first 30 league games of the season they have banged in a remarkable 16 in their last five.

    Those 16 goals - from only 49 shots - have come from an xG of just 6.8, meaning they have overperformed it by an incredible 9.2.

    Pereira's sharpshooters have scored three or more goals in three consecutive Premier League games for the first time since March to April 1995 having trounced Sunderland 5-0, Burnley 4-1 and Chelsea 3-1.

    Graphic showing Nottingham Forest's improvement in terms of goalscoring in the last five Premier League games

    Newcastle desperate to end challenging season on a high

    After a damaging run of nine defeats in 12 league games, Newcastle stopped the rot last Saturday with a morale-boosting win over Brighton.

    It lifted some of the pressure that has been mounting on head coach Eddie Howe, with media reports following the match asserting that he will still be in charge next season.

    However, the win over Brighton does not paper over the cracks of what has been an extremely disappointing league campaign and Howe will be desperate to finish strongly, going into what will be a key summer of squad rebuilding.

    "It's been a big learning season for us," reflected defender Dan Burn after the win over the Seagulls. "We've struggled mentally, attacking on all four fronts the way that we did. It was tough going into games when you were just recovering and going again."

    They will be hoping to address their awful away form that has seen them pick up just 16 points from 17 games. Wolves (seven) and Sunderland (14) are the only sides than have scored fewer than the 16 goals the Geordies have on the road.

    Graphic showing Newcastle have scored the third fewest away goals of any Premier League side this season
  14. Gibbs-White a doubt for Forest run inpublished at 14:51 BST 8 May

    Nick Mashiter
    Football reporter

    Morgan Gibbs-WhiteImage source, Getty Images

    Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White could miss the rest of the season with boss Vitor Pereira uncertain about his fitness.

    The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in Thursday's 4-0 Europa League semi-final second leg defeat at Aston Villa.

    Forest lost 4-1 on aggregate as Villa progressed to the final in Istanbul on 20 May to play Freiburg.

    Gibbs-White was named on the bench after suffering a serious cut on his head during Monday's win at Chelsea but Pereira admitted he was not fit.

    "I cannot answer because I don't know about Morgan," said Pereira, when asked if he will play again this season.

    "I don't know about Ola (Aina). Callum (Hudson-Odoi) has finished the season, I don't know about Murillo. In the end I need Friday.

    "If you look at our bench (against Villa), we brought three players in condition to play (Lorenzo) Lucca, (Dilane) Bakwa and (Ryan) Yates and three players injured without conditions to go to help the team.

    "Three boys from the academy and Murillo with a risk to play, who's not yet ready to play. I have the day to understand the situation."

    Forest host Newcastle on Sunday still looking to seal Premier League survival with Pereira aware of the mental recovery needed.

    "It's difficult, but it's difficult on Thursday. Friday is another day," he said.

    "But we need to compete against Newcastle, a very important game in the battle of relegation and, especially mentally, we need to come back."

  15. Pereira on injuries, bouncing back and the relegation battle published at 13:57 BST 8 May

    Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Newcastle at the City Ground (kick-off 14:00 BST).

    Here are the key lines from his news conference:

    • Pereira confirmed Callum Hudson-Odoi will not play again this season.

    • He hopes to gain clarity later on Friday as to whether Ola Aina, Murillo or Morgan Gibbs-White will return for the final games.

    • On Forest's growing injury list: "I hope that we don't have another injury because this is difficult, to compete in this level. Three days after three days after three days, losing players and losing players."

    • He said they "need to come back" fighting after the Europa League semi-final defeat as Sunday is "a very important game in the battle of relegation".

    • On the defeat to Aston Villa: "We needed everyone in condition to compete. If we have everyone, I believe we have the conditions to compete with them. It was not possible. I cannot complain about my players, they tried. The players that started the game, they tried everything."

    • He said Friday "will be difficult" as they process the defeat, but "it's a day to recharge".

    • More on the importance of the Newcastle game: "It's a day to come back again with our supporters - playing at home - and to try our best to get points and to finish the situation of the Premier League."

    Listen to live commentary of the match on BBC Radio 5 Live from 14:00 BST on Sunday

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  16. 🎧 Thumbs up for Pereira impactpublished at 12:51 BST 8 May

    Vitor Pereira puts his thumb upImage source, Getty Images

    The team on BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football have unpicked defeat in the Europa League but ex-Forest defender Brian Laws wants to focus on the positive impact Vitor Pereira has made.

    Pereira joined the club in February, becoming their fourth manager of the campaign.

    At the time, Forest were 17th in the top flight - three points above the drop zone, after two wins in their previous 10 games.

    They look well placed to survive and after losing at Aston Villa in the last four of the Europa League, Laws said: "We must not forget what's been achieved. The turmoil we've had through the season has been ridiculous. To have four managers in, the heads of the players are all over the place.

    "Great credit to Pereira coming in. It's not tactical, not technical, it's about reconnecting the players because they were all over the place. We were absolutely on our knees. We could not see a goal. We could not see a win. We could not see a point.

    "I was looking ahead and thinking 'when are we going to get these points? Where are we going to score these goals? How are we going to get the points to survive?'"

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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  17. Aston Villa 4-0 Nottingham Forest - the fans' veridctpublished at 10:14 BST 8 May

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    A dejected Vítor PereiraImage source, Getty Images

    We asked for your views after Nottingham Forest were beaten by Aston Villa (4-0 on the night and 4-1 on aggregate) in their Europa League semi-final.

    Here are some of your comments:

    Kris: Honestly, can't feel too disappointed after the season we've had. Nobody would have tipped us for a semi-final if they'd seen our first game against Midtjylland, where we were woeful under Ange. We were down to the bare bones too, with four injured players on the bench. Good luck Villa in the final, well worth the win.

    James: A dire performance to end an incredible run. Last week we put it all in but today, helped by injuries, we were appalling. Wood and Igor were getting absolutely nothing from the midfielders and the defenders seriously have to wake up. Overall a shocking display.

    Craig: A step too far for Forest. Depleted squad but at least they gave us something to hope for from a shocking season of upheaval. I am just bracing myself for another major upheaval this summer with no European competition as a selling point. Marinakis is going to have to work wonders to keep some of our stars - MGW, Anderson, Murillo, Sangare - that's the backbone of the team. Going to be a tough summer.

    Phil: After such a promising first leg we just didn't turn up to the second leg - Villa wanted it more and all credit to them. Proud of our run to the semis but now we need to regroup and make sure we stay in the Premier League and move on to next season.

    Ian: An unexplainable lack of fight. While our manager may make excuses about injuries last night, he wasn't saying that on Sunday when we beat Chelsea with an 11 that was arguably weaker. My concern is Vitor Pereira's luck will run out and he'll be yet another manager gone in the summer. I just hope we can pick ourselves up and win one more match as relegation is still a possibility.

    C: So sad that Forest had so many key players off injured. We must reflect on how far we have come in the last four years but must aim for consistency next season. Our hearts and blood pressure need a calm watch please.

  18. 🎧 'They were dominant'published at 08:25 BST 8 May

    Former Nottingham Forest defender Brian Laws speaking on a new episode of Shut Up And Show More Football after the Europa League defeat at Aston Villa: "It was so one-sided and Villa, their preparation, their organisation - the manager's got it right. He's attacked it in a way that it was always going to be important for who scores first.

    "And Villa getting that first goal was key to their success. Once they'd got that, they knew they had an edge on Forest and they were winning every second ball. I've played in games like that before when you know you're on top. You know you're winning all the seconds.

    "You're anticipating where the ball's going to go and you're picking up all them bits. Villa were just relentless. And hats off to them. Congratulations to them. On the night they were the best team, and I'm just disappointed that we conceded four, but it could've been more.

    "They were dominant. I know it's hard to swallow when you're saying we've just got beat 4-0 away from home when really it should've been a lot closer than that."

    On whether a pile up of fixtures and strain on the squad was key: "Well, I'm sure there's an element of it. You cannot just say that's the reason. There's several reasons why we didn't win tonight, but that's just part of it. At the end of the day, they wanted it more than we did.

    "Tonight, there was a, a clear message. They nailed Anderson early in the game and throughout it. They know he's the danger man. You can't give him the freedom as everything that's good goes through him, and goes through Gibbs-White.

    "That was a loss because he can carry the ball further up the field. We didn't have anything so that we could hold the ball up in that top end. Woods was living off scraps. And, you know, Jesus was almost running round like a headless chicken really. Never looked like scoring, did we?"

    Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

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  19. 'I'm proud of what we did' - Pereirapublished at 07:54 BST 8 May

    Vitor PereiraImage source, Getty Images

    After defeat in the semi-finals of the Europa League, Forest boss Vitor Pereira told BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray: "Tough night but in the end I'm proud of our players and our supporters.

    "We tried, they tried, the players that started, they tried everything. To play the second leg away we need every player in condition and if you look at our bench today we brought three young boys from the academy, we brought four players [with] injuries on the bench.

    "It was a pity because to compete for this final, just with the three subs to do it, in conditions to go on the game - and we take the risk with Murillo who is not ready yet - it was very tough."

    He added: "We look for the result and it's tough but I'm proud of what we did in the competition. [Getting to the] semi-finals is not easy and the only thing that I pity is that we didn't have the chance to come into the game with the full squad, with everyone in condition to compete and to help the team."

    On facing Newcastle on Sunday, 14:00 BST, Pereira said: "This is something that I don't understand. We played three days ago, we play three days after this game.

    "Teams without this kind of European competition, they will play Monday. In the end we have a lot of injuries because they are not machines, they cannot deal with this kind of schedule."

    Hear the interview in full below or listen on BBC Sounds

    Media caption,

    Pereira: ‘It’s tough but I’m proud of what we did in the competition.’

  20. Analysis: Desperately disappointing endpublished at 23:05 BST 7 May

    Nick Mashiter
    Football reporter

    Nottingham Forest are dejected at full time.Image source, Getty Images

    Nottingham Forest were well beaten and never looked like defending the hard-earned first-leg lead.

    The visitors lacked ingenuity and intelligence going forward.

    Chris Wood barely had scraps to feed off and James McAtee was replaced by Ryan Yates at half-time, having failed to make an impact.

    Elliot Anderson, so controlling in the first leg, was a near passenger in midfield as he was unable to get a grip on the game.

    After all the positivity following the first leg and the impact head coach Vitor Pereira has made in barely three months at the club, this was a desperately disappointing end to Forest's first European campaign in 30 years.

    Yet the club have come a long way in four years since promotion back to the Premier League and a reflection on that journey is needed amid the pain that will be felt.

    This has been a chaotic season, with four managers, a relegation battle and now a European semi-final exit, but Forest do not do anonymity.

    Perhaps stability is what they need next season, to settle under Pereira, but recent history would suggest that is unlikely.