Here’s the latest Nottingham Forest news on Sunday, 19 March, 2023.
Reds ready to 'fight it out'
Head coach Steve Cooper says Nottingham Forest are prepared to fight for their Premier League lives once the season resumes after the international break.
The Welshman insists the Reds were always going to be steeling themselves for a battle in the run-in, regardless of how Friday night’s game against Newcastle United panned out. And being beaten 2-1 at the City Ground hasn’t changed their mindset.
Alexander Isak’s double, with a last-minute winner from the penalty spot, ended Forest’s nine-match unbeaten run at home in the league, cancelling out Emmanuel Dennis’ opener. They are two points above the drop zone ahead of Saturday’s round of fixtures.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest 'in massive trouble' after Newcastle United heartbreak
READ MORE: Gary Neville makes VAR admission about Newcastle goal vs Nottingham Forest after foul claim
Expert slams decision
Former referee Keith Hackett has slammed the decision to rule out a Newcastle United goal against Nottingham Forest on Friday evening.
The Magpies ' Elliot Anderson had a goal ruled out for offside by VAR at the City Ground and, although Newcastle went on to win the game, the decision has still proven to be a controversial one.
Hackett, who refereed in the Football League and Premier League between 1976 and 1994, has taken to Twitter to explain why the decision in Forest's favour was a wrong one. “VAR was wrong to rule out the Newcastle United goal for offside," he wrote.
Relegation fears after Saturday's results
Nottingham Forest's 2-1 defeat to Newcastle has been compounded by Saturday's Premier League results.
An Alexander Isak penalty in stoppage time after a handball from Moussa Niakhate condemned Steve Cooper's side to their first defeat at home in the league since mid-September. The Reds had taken the lead on the night after a goal from Emmanuel Dennis but Isak's equaliser on the stroke of half-time followed by the winning penalty has increased relegation worries at the City Ground.
Forest are now just two points above the bottom-three after Everton's 2-2 draw against Chelsea in the late kick-off. Leicester City secured a point in a 1-1 draw at Brentford and Southampton drew 3-3 with Tottenham, although there will be some relief at Bournemouth's 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa.
Forest must steel themselves
April was always going to be a defining month for Nottingham Forest. Steve Cooper’s side now have two weeks to steady and steel themselves for what lies ahead.
It’s not going to be pretty, it’s probably going to be tight and they are going to have to dig in. They are in the thick of the relegation scrap, but they are by no means down and out. Far from it.
In urgent need of turning the tide, yes, but still with enough time to do so and enough points to play for. The international break offers a chance to take a deep breath before the battle to come.
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