Nuno sends clear message after Nottingham Forest go third with big win over West Ham
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveHead coach Nuno Espirito Santo wants to make sure Nottingham Forest do not get “distracted” by their lofty position in the Premier League table.
A 3-0 victory over West Ham United at the City Ground moved the Reds up to third spot with 10 games gone. It is the first time they have been in the top four of the top tier since early in the 1998/99 campaign.
Goals from Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina made it three league wins in a row - a feat Forest have not managed in the Premier League since May 1999, but boss Nuno is determined not to get carried away.
“We worked very hard this week. The intensity is what we are focused on. We have to work, and work hard,” said the Portuguese, who has now completed his three-match touchline ban.
“And we need to improve much more. Nothing has changed since the beginning. We have to keep on going. Believe me, there is no other way. If you get distracted, football doesn’t forgive you.
“Now I’m thinking about Tuesday and the next training session, because that is what’s important. It (the table) doesn’t mean anything now.
“We just have to keep going, keep going. It’s a very long season and every player is going to be needed - we saw that today. It’s a positive moment but we have to keep going.”
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Wood opened the scoring in the first half with his eighth of the season for the Reds. The visitors had Edson Alvarez sent off on the stroke of half-time, and Nuno’s side were able to take advantage as Hudson-Odoi and Aina found the back of the net.
“All of us should be proud of the way we performed. It was a very good game,” Nuno added.
“We started the game well; controlled and dominant. And then we were positive going forward, creating chances.
“The moment of the red card changes everything. It gives us more control of the game. We were already in front and it made it very hard for West Ham.
“But the players understood that even though we had an extra man, we shouldn’t get complacent. They didn’t.
“We went for the game and scored beautiful goals; amazing goals. We should enjoy them, because that is what football is about. It’s a fantastic moment for us and our fans. Let’s keep going and working very hard.”