NUNO KEEN TO FOCUS ON HIS SIDE’S REPLAY AT THE SEASIDE
NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo admitted “we are all concerned” about the club’s alleged breaches of financial rules but says the team’s focus is on facing Blackpool.
Forest face a possible points deduction after the Premier League said on Monday that they and Everton had confirmed breaches of profitability and sustainability regulations.
Everton had already been docked 10 points earlier this season for overspending and Forest have 14 days to respond before a hearing by an independent commission must conclude within 12 weeks.
Nuno acknowledged Forest face an anxious wait, but insisted their thoughts are set on Wednesday’s FA Cup replay at Blackpool.
He said: “We are all concerned at the club, but me as a coach there’s nothing I have to think of, or to deal with with that.
“My job is clear, to prepare the team. We have a match tomorrow and that’s what we are focused on.”
Nuno, who replaced the sacked Steve Cooper as Forest boss on December 20, did not confirm whether he knew the club would be facing action from the Premier League before taking on the job.
“All the meetings and conversations we had were private,” the Portuguese said. “I understand that this is the news, but at the same time it’s not my concern.
“I have to focus and wait. Everyone has to wait on the decision to come. And when the decision comes we are here to deal with that. My job is to work, work, work. After work I work even more. This is what I am thinking about.” Nuno said he had told his players to focus solely on Wednesday’s third-round replay and that the alleged breaches did not affect his plans to strengthen his squad during the current transfer window.
“No not at all,” he added. “It doesn’t change anything. We have to continue our work. The balance of the squad is important and we have to organise the squad.
“The idea is to improve. It’s not easy, especially in this window, but we are working on that. Trying to find the best way for the squad to go through the rest of the season. We are working every day on that.”
Forest, knocked out of the FA Cup by Blackpool last season, hit back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 against the League One side at the City Ground.