In his press conference, Nuno Espírito Santo said that the win over **Man City**was “not a landmark.”
It is an indication that he has not got his head in the clouds and holds high demands of the players. Their performance pulled out a massive result in the race for the top four— and the manager was hugely satisfied with the outcome— but he is pushing for more in the backend of this campaign.
‘The basic pillar for us is a clean sheet’
Espírito Santo stated how content he was with the efforts of his players after the final whistle.
“We are happy. Very happy. I think we did a very good game against a very tough team: the defensive display was good. The organisation was good: the help, the covers, the double ups were fundamental to have this defensive display. I’m so proud and happy.”
The Citizens controlled almost 70% of the possession and liked to look for their wingers to work out solutions in the final third. So a big part of Forest's victory was the stability of their fullbacks. The manager gave credit to their solidity while shouting out the roles of their teammates in his plan.
“I was very pleased, very pleased, very pleased. Very difficult players to stop. Credit to them, but also credit for the helps, especially of the midfielders to double up.”
“We know there's no other way to play against and to play against anyone. If you ignore the talent and the defensive part of the game, you are making a mistake. We'll try to avoid till the end because it's the basic pillar for us is a clean sheet. We are proud of achieving clean sheets.”
Despite the level of the defensive display, the 51-year-old did not believe all the action went his way.
“No, not all the game. There was a moment that when the game stretch and it becomes up and down like basketball, that was good for us.”
He was also grateful for the traits of his forward thinking players. Morgan Gibbs-White whipped an excellent switch of play to Hudson-Odoi, whose wide threat troubles opponents on both wings, and he scored his third goal in his last four league starts. The Portuguese boss is all too aware of their quality.
“Of course, it comes down to talent, talent, when Callum has a chance, I think he had a previous chance before and he did well. Players that have the advantage in 1v1, when we try and we achieve to create the situations, they are talented and it's difficult to stop.”
‘We realise we can compete against every team’
Forest echoed the defensive discipline of their triumph at **Anfield**over the league leaders at the start of the season. Espírito Santo saw this victory as a display that deserved to be viewed on its own merit.
“I think it was different. It's very difficult, very difficult to stop City. It's very difficult. They are so talented, create so many pockets and short games. It's very, it's very, very hard. They're always going to have chances. So it was a different game, different game.”
“If you look at stats, it looks the same, but I think it was totally different. They are totally different.”
It is the third time that the Tricky Trees have taken points from one of the top teams in the Premier League during the new year. They laboured to a 1-1 draw with Liverpool before battling to a goalless stalemate with **Arsenal**in their last league outing. Such scalps serve as a strong statement of intent.
“We are talking about the best teams around. It always gives you the confidence that you can compete well against such good players. I think it allows us to grow as a team, but it doesn't change the opponent that you have ahead of you, in front of you, because the Premier League is very tough. Each good performance that you have, with a good result against every team is always what we look for.”
Underdogs can cobble together these types of results a few times a year. To achieve them week in and week out is a different task altogether and it is this step that defines the development of the group.
“I think the improvement of the squad, the improvement of the players, the ability to realise that we can compete against every team. It doesn't matter the result. It's how we prepare to compete, knowing our strengths, our weakness, and knowing who we have in front of you. Every game is different.”
“It shows the progress and ability to keep competing, competing, competing game after game. This is what we want for ourselves to be able to improve every game is a landmark of improvement, because now we're going to look at the game. There are so many mistakes, but at the end it was good.”
‘There’s a bond of trust’
It has been a wonderful week for Forest. The team pulled through a penalty shootout against Ipswich Town to go into the **FA Cup**quarter-final and now sit four points ahead of the Citizens in third place.
The Champions League dream is well and truly alive. But Espírito Santo stays committed to the rule of taking the journey one step at a time as the Tractor Boys await his side on the east coast next week.
“Now, Ipswich; let's rest because it was a tough week for us. Many of our players made 120 minutes plus 90 today. So thank God they are healthy for now. Let's keep them healthy, recover and prepare.”
“The win doesn't change anything. It's about the focus, the approach of the games. Let's enjoy the journey together. The players, they are doing amazing. Our fans giving the help. Keep on enjoying.”
The manager also distinguished between enjoying the event of positive results in big matches and setting the same standards for his squad in every clash that they play. Among the most important moments of the season in his eyes was the second half fightback in the loss to Newcastle United.
“It's important for our fans. It's important for our fans to realise that we can compete against every team, but it doesn't change. It doesn't change. It's not a landmark.”
“I think, for example, if you go back after the period that we are not so stable, half-time Newcastle, the way we revert that situation, that I think was important, a pivotal moment in previous games.”
Espírito Santo signalled that he did not want to dampen the fervour of the fans. The City Ground has grown into a fortress and the manager encouraged the crowd to carry on being the team’s twelfth man.
“No, of course. Of course, of course. We are proud of it. Monday evening was very nice. The support that they have, they finished the game singing, so we are. But let's enjoy the journey together. I think there's a bond of trust between the team and fans that we can see that the players do feel comfortable playing at City Ground and our home form has been huge for us. Let's try to keep it on the next ones.”