royal circle club Nuno Espirito Santo 'Trying To Build Something That The City Can Identify With' At Nottingham Forest

Nuno Espirito Santo. Nuno Espirito Santo.

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has said that him and his players are trying to create a team that the fans can identify with. (More Football News)

Nuno has led Forest to fourth place in the Premier League after 16 league games so far, while they have won back-to-back matches against Manchester United and Aston Villa.

On Tuesday, deep inside Chinese Mongolia, the Harmanpreet Singh-led Men in Blue did just about enough to beat a spirited Chinese side. The occasion: the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

"We try and try every day to build something nice that we can identify with the club, the city," he said.

"It is an important moment that we feel when things go against you and you react, that is what I appreciate the most.

"It pleases me and huge credit to them. I gave them another day off! It is easier to work on good results.

"I think it is about enjoying. We are working very hard. We are working with clear plans of improvement and building the team. We are competing with all the clubs.

"Our way is about organisation and belief. It is about taking advantage of the moment we have."

Heading to the capital this weekend. pic.twitter.com/w8Jrghf0mt

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) December 19, 2024

Brentford manager Thomas Frank, meanwhile, suggested that there are plenty of improvements to be made following their 3-1 defeat away to Newcastle in the EFL Cup quarter-final on Wednesday.

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“I think the main bit I’m disappointed with is the defensive side of the game," he said.

“We didn’t defend well enough, that was the key thing. We need to do better. I will look into it, everyone needs to look into it. There’s no doubt about it.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brentford – Bryan Mbeumo

Mbeumo has been directly involved with 10 goals in his last eight appearances at home for Brentford (eight goals and two assists).

The 25-year-old has scored in back-to-back matches against Newcastle and Chelsea and is the first Cameroonian to hit 10 Premier League goals in a season.

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood

Wood has also scored 10 league goals and is equal-fourth alongside Mbeumo among the Premier League top scorers, behind Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Cole Palmer.

The 33-year-old scored Nottingham Forest's decisive goal in their 3-2 victory away to Manchester United last time out on the road, while he also had one disallowed against Aston Villa in his most recent appearance.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Nottingham Forest came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at the City Ground in their last match, which left them fourth in the Premier League table and one point above Manchester City.

Following that result, Forest have won three of their last four league games, although they are winless (D3 L3) in their last six matches against Brentford.

The visitors have won half of their 16 Premier League matches so far this season, which is their highest win rate in a top-flight campaign since 1994-95 (52%).

But Brentford have the best home record in the league so far, having won seven and drawn one of their eight matches at the Gtech Community Stadium in 2024-25.

The Bees are one of just two teams, alongside Arsenal, who are yet to lose a home game in the league this season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brentford – 41.7%

Draw – 26.4%

Nottingham Forest – 31.9%royal circle club