Nottingham Forest strengthened their grip on a place in the Premier League’s top four and Champions League qualification after they beat champions Manchester City at the City Ground
It’s a hot topic of conversation everywhere in the football world.
But not, it seems, in the one place where you would expect to find it.Yes, Nottingham Forest ’s chances of earning a shock Champions League spot are being discussed throughout the country.
Matchwinner Callum Hudson-Odoi, however, says mum’s the word in Nuno Espirito Santo’s dressing room. And, you suspect, that’s the way it’s going to stay.
He said: “We know where we are. It’s important to understand that. But we don’t like to talk about it. It’s just game by game. You don’t have to discuss where we are because it gets your head excited and we’d be: ‘Oh my gosh, we’re there – we’re finally going to do it.’
“I think it’s better we can see where we are at the end of the season. The problem is, we don’t want to distract ourselves too much.
“It’s not done. Nowhere near done. We’re excited where we are. We’re buzzing to be where we are.
“But at the same time, we’ve got to look at the next game now, which is Ipswich, and go for that again and keep pushing until the end of the season.”
Forest have rebounded well after a blip. Back-to-back defeats at Fulham and Newcastle started chatter that their challenge was over. But a goalless stalemate against Arsenal and the defeat of a stuttering Manchester City side has rekindled thoughts that, after finishing 17th last season, they could hit such highs.
Hudson-Odoi said: “It’s crazy. From looking at where we were last season, around 17th, 18th, 16th, around there, to now being around the top four. For us, it’s just the mindset, the mentality. You can tell everyone’s doing their job correctly and making sure that we’re doing our jobs to the max.
“That’s the most important I think, we can ask for every player that has opportunity to play, is just do your role and do what you do best, for your position and for the team.
“You’ve got to work at the end of the day. That’s all it matters, working 100% giving your full effort, hopefully the results come away, which they are at the moment.”
New England boss Thomas Tuchel has been keeping tabs on all of the Three Lions players who qualify. That includes Hudson-Odoi and his clubmate Morgan Gibbs-White, who produced an outstanding display.
“I can’t tell you the future,” said the Forest winger, when quizzed, “I can’t comment on what’s going to happen…if I’m going to play for them or not.
“I’m ready for whatever happens. I just need to make sure I’m doing it on the pitch for the club. As you can see, they’re here, watching us – so that shows we’re doing something right, to be in those sort of talks or contention.
“We need to keep believing in ourselves, trying to achieve as much as possible. And hopefully the boys get picked for England – it would be amazing if they did.”
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Learn more
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
