Nottingham Forest 'embracing' Champions League challenge

44 years have passed since Nottingham Forest last played UEFA Champions League football, but the battle to compete amongst Europe's elite next season is one Nuno Espirito Santo says his side are embracing.

Back-to-back Premier League defeats have dented Forest's UEFA Champions League prospects, with the gap to fifth now standing at just two points.

If results don't go their way over weekend it is possible that Forest could slip as low as sixth by the time they are ready to face Tottenham on Monday night.

Newcastle, Man City and Aston Villa have all hit a purple patch of late, further ramping up the pressure at the City Ground.

Nuno Espiritio Santo was keen to stress that his men are still up for the fight.

“Nothing has changed since last week – it is up to us, it’s in our hands, we can’t control other teams, we can’t control the results,” he said.

“We have to focus, and it’s about improvement. Now it’s about reacting and improving. The expectation around us started the moment we were able to perform and get results.

“We embrace the challenges, we are not stepping back. We are stepping in. We want to embrace it. We want to try and get it.

The Reds have occupied a spot in the top four since November and with an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon, this season has already been a huge success.

But, Forest full-back Neco Williams has his ambitions firmly set on bringing Champions League football back to the City Ground.

Williams told the PA news agency, "Six games to go now, which is in our hands. It's obviously been an incredible season for us, no matter what happens from now.

"But I feel like for us lads, it'll just be a disappointment if we don't get the Champions League spots."

If his side are to play amongst Europe's elite next season it is important that they find some of their old form.

They travel to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Monday for a game that could have a huge say in where their European future lies.

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William Dobbie

• Nottingham Forest F.C.
• Premier League
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