Nuno Espirito Santo insists he is not focusing on the Premier League table, but rather on his team’s mistakes after Nottingham Forest fell to a 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford.
Forest had the chance to move into third place with victory over the Bees on Thursday evening, but another defeat means that they remain sixth, one point off a UEFA Champions League spot.
“It’s a bad night and a bad game,” Nuno said to Sky Sports after the match. “I’m not really worried about the table, I’m more worried about the mistakes we are making and how to correct them.”
“Credit to Brentford but [their goals were] situations we should solve normally with better defending. We are disappointed but it’s about reacting and going for the next one.
“I don’t say it was because of the semi-final [FA Cup defeat to Manchester City]. It was highly demanding in a fitness aspect but we should have defended better.
“We didn’t create too much, Brentford defended well. We have to compete much better to achieve what we want. The way we did it in this game is not normal for where we are.
“There are still four games to go, a lot of football to be played. We have to focus on ourselves and play better football.”
Elanga: We need to start winning
Forest have now suffered defeats in three of their last four league matches, including their last two at the City Ground.
Anthony Elanga spoke about the need to turn this losing streak around as fast as possible.
“We’ve been really solid in defence this year. We lost in the semi-final the other day and we’ve lost today. We need to regroup for Monday,” Elanga told BBC Match of the Day, referring to Forest’s next fixture, away to Crystal Palace.”
“We forgot about the game at Wembley [Stadium] and wanted to start strong today. The goals we conceded today weren’t like us.
“We have to go game-by-game, and we need to start winning and put ourselves in the best position possible. That starts with Palace.”
Pearce: Forest’s remaining fixtures are winnable
Despite watching his old club suffer another defeat on Thursday, former Forest player and manager Stuart Pearce believes they can win their remaining matches and qualify for the Champions League next season.
“I think you can tell by the players’ expressions it has been a tough week for Forest,” Pearce said.
“This will be a tough one to swallow for the club, but I don’t think it is a fatal wound. Their last four fixtures are winnable.”
