Nottingham Forest aim to 'raise the bar' as talented trio praised after big City Ground win
by Sarah Clapson · NottinghamshireLiveElliot Anderson’s versatility can continue to be a huge asset for Nottingham Forest, according to head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Anderson got the nod to replace the suspended Morgan Gibbs-White in the No.10 role against Crystal Palace on Monday night. And he more than stepped up to the plate, putting in an outstanding performance as the Reds triumphed 1-0 to claim their first home win of the season.
Three points were secured courtesy of Chris Wood’s second-half strike, but the hosts were also indebted to goalkeeper Matz Sels for some stunning saves. Victory lifted Forest up to eighth in the Premier League table.
Nuno was forced to watch from the stands as he served the first of a three-match touchline ban. Below is a look at what the Portuguese had to say after the final whistle.
On watching from the stands and getting the first home win of the season…
“I saw it from up in the stands! I saw it difficult but we are so happy that finally we can give this moment to our fans. They have been waiting so long for it and have always been supporting and helping us. We are especially delighted for them.
“It was not the best place to be (in the stands). But as coaching staff we organised before so we could have communication. It didn’t interfere at all with the performance of the players.”
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On being without key players amid suspensions for Gibbs-White and James Ward-Prowse and injuries to Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare…
“We are missing important players. Four of our midfielders are out. The players who came in did a good job. We are short in that position but now they have to give everything they have.”
On Anderson taking on the No.10 role…
“He is a very versatile player. In terms of midfield, he can do that position in front of the two, he can play as a midfielder, he can play wide. He has been playing in many positions for us this season - left side, right side - and always with good performances.
“He is a very young player with a lot of progressing, but the talent is there. You saw it and we are very happy with him.
“It helps having that versatility, especially when they are so young. It can only make them better.”
On Sels’ performance…
“It says a lot about the game itself when Matz is one of your best players in the team. It shows how difficult it is to play against Palace because they are very good. They are solid, compact and don’t give you any space; they are always pressing and have so much talent up front.
“The amount of shots in the game shows both teams went for it. We are delighted Matz did a very good job and kept us in the game.”
On Wood scoring his 20th Premier League goal for Forest…
“Amazing. We are delighted with Chris, not only for the goals but all his actions in the game - the way he links, the way he helps the team, set-pieces. And more than all of that is the impact he has in the dressing room - his leadership, as a very experienced player for the young lads, we cannot thank him enough.”
On being eighth in the table…
“We are delighted but it’s not what is important. What guides us is not the table. What guides us is the level of performance; to sustain it is one of the most difficult things.
“The big challenge is always ahead of you. We want to raise the bar and sustain that level.
“Before the international break we showed how we must play football. We cannot ignore the talent of our opponents; we have to run more than them, we have to cover and always have bodies in front of their players, and this is what is important. What is important is the spirit and having a strong bond so we can progress as a team. I’m repeating myself but I really believe in this. It is how we do things.”