Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has warned Nottingham Forest face a “very hard” task to stay in the Premier League after their defeat to Manchester United.
Keylor Navas and Felipe were among the players to impress for the Reds, who made a positive start to the game. However, Antony gave Man United the lead just after the half-hour mark, with Diogo Dalot doubling the away side’s advantage after the break, just as Forest were hoping to gain control at the City Ground.
Steve Cooper ’s side were left to rue their missed chances and saw two penalty appeals waved away as they attempted to earn a statement result on Sunday. Defeat leaves the Reds in the bottom three on goal difference and continue their 10-game winless run. Former Forest coach Hasselbaink believes the team will struggle to leapfrog another side in their bid for survival.
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“After today how they played, I think it’s going to be very hard,” Hasselbaink told Sky Sports, when asked about Forest’s survival hopes. “I believe they need three more wins for them to have a chance.
“They have to play the big [teams], they have to get something out of their bag, they have to go somewhere and get a result for them to sustain themselves in the Premier League. The Brentford game, the Southampton game, they’re going to be ever so important. You need to get six points from there.
“Liverpool away is going to be difficult - it’s not impossible. Yes [they’re more likely to win points at home] but here is not going to be enough. You need to get something from away [matches] as well.”
Next up for Forest is a trip to Liverpool on Saturday, with the club also set to host Brighton and travel to Brentford to round-off April. The team’s final home game is against Arsenal on the penultimate weekend of the season before a final day showdown at Crystal Palace.
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