Here’s the latest Nottingham Forest news on Friday, 17 March, 2023.
Crucial survival run
Nine teams separated by five points. Buckle yourselves in as Nottingham Forest head toward the final stage of their fight for Premier League survival.
It’s going to be tense. It’s going to be nervy. And there will no doubt be plenty of twists and turns to come.
Steve Cooper ’s side are still outside of the relegation zone. But without a win in five, and with their away form still giving the head coach a significant headache, they are in need of some positive results. In fact, the Reds’ next four games could prove decisive.
At some stage, a bigger gap is going to form between the teams in the thick of the relegation battle and those who can breathe a little easier. It’s unlikely anything will be completely cut and dried before mid-April - and it could still go to the wire - but a few weeks from now, the picture could look a little clearer.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest notebook: Niakhate pledge, Cooper focus, Gibbs-White 'motivation'
READ MORE: Eddie Howe sends 'red hot' Nottingham Forest warning to Newcastle United players
Fixture change
Manchester United’s progress in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night means that Nottingham Forest’s Premier League clash against the Red Devils will now be moved.
The Reds’ clash vs Erik ten Hag’s side at the City Ground was originally scheduled as a 3pm kick off on Saturday, April 15. The game was moved back to a 5.30pm kick off in order for it to be broadcast live on Sky Sports.
But United’s progress to the quarter-final of the Europa League means that the clash will be moved for a second time. With the Red Devils in action the Thursday before, they will now travel to the City Ground on Sunday, April 16, with kick off at 4.30pm, the game will still be shown live on Sky Sports.
Dean Henderson Man Utd prediction made
Former England goalkeeper David James has "put a question mark" on Dean Henderson's ability to replace David De Gea as Manchester United's number one.
Henderson is currently on loan at Nottingham Forest from Old Trafford, he were he was unhappy after claiming promises made to him about game time had been broken.
With Keylor Navas now between the sticks at Forest under head coach Steve Cooper , Henderson's future has been plunged into further doubt, with James making his thoughts clear about the goalkeeper's future.
Samba’s heartfelt Forest message
Former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Brice Samba has sent a heartfelt message following his first call-up to the French national side.
The Forest play-off hero has been included in Didier Dechamps’ squad for the European qualifiers against the Netherlands and Ireland later this month. His performances in Ligue 1 this season for Lens have led to the call-up.
The inclusion in the squad comes around 10 months after he played a massive part in Forest’s return to the Premier League via the play-offs last season. The goalkeeper the hero in the penalty shootout with Sheffield United in the semi-final before keeping a Wembley clean-sheet in the 1-0 win over Huddersfield.
Samba has thrived in Ligue 1, leading to his call-up to the French squad where he will vie with West Ham’s Alphonse Areola, and AC Milan’s Mike Maignan for the number one jersey for the two qualifying games.
Eddie Howe expecting ‘red hot’ atmosphere
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has warned his team to expect a "red hot" atmosphere when they visit the City Ground for Friday night’s encounter with Nottingham Forest.
The Magpies make the journey down to Nottingham for what will be the first Premier League game of the weekend. It means that the Reds could potentially put pressure on their relegation rivals by picking up points ahead of Saturday’s games.
Forest currently sit in 14th place in the league, with just two points separating them and the bottom three. The Reds are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 3-1 loss against Tottenham in their last outing.
READ NEXT:
- Paul Merson sends Newcastle United Nottingham Forest warning in Premier League prediction
- Brice Samba sends heartfelt Nottingham Forest message after big announcement
- Newcastle star will not face Nottingham Forest as Eddie Howe makes 'more serious' admission
- The latest Nottingham Forest news in one place
