What's the thing no-one is talking about?published at 12:44
12:44
Nottingham Forest remain in the fight for Champions League football but have spluttered in recent games.
We have heard plenty about Morgan Gibbs-White's form - and potential future - and the impact of the defensive stability this season.
But you know your club best so give us a peek behind the curtain. Let us know the one thing that no-one is talking about at Forest but really should be.
Are Forest better without the ball?published at 16:19 6 May
16:19 6 May
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
For more than a decade, those watching from the stands and through screens have been led to believe that possession-based football is the holy grail when pursuing success.
With Barcelona's tiki-taka and the tactics brought to the Premier League by Pep Guardiola, more and more teams have prioritised this 'easy on the eye' style of play.
And while it is hard to argue with the success of the La Liga giants and Manchester City's recent trophy-laden years, it is not something that works for everyone.
A number of teams have fallen foul of this obsession to build up play from the back and keep-ball over counter-attack.
But, it is a mould Nottingham Forest have been trying to break this season.
The Reds sit sixth in the table and just two points off a Champions League spot - this despite having the second-lowest average possession in the league so far this campaign (39.97%).
From relegation candidates to European place contenders in less than 12 months, they have built this progress, not on possession, but on a solid defence and ability to be clinical on the counter-attack.
The East Midlands side are joint-fourth for goals conceded (42) and sit only one place and one fewer than newly crowned Premier League champions Liverpool for clean sheets (13).
There have been few occasions this term where Forest have been equal to or had more possession than their opponent.
Their draw at Crystal Palace on Monday night was one such occasion. Despite having more of the ball, they struggled to really create quality chances and, had Eberechi Eze's late effort dipped a couple of inches lower, they may have come away empty handed.
There have been 28 games in the league when Nuno Espirito Santo's side have had under 50% of the possession this season, of which they have gone on to win 15 - a win percentage of 54%.
In a much smaller sample size, there have been just seven occasions in which they have had 50% or more possession and from those they have won three games, giving them a win percentage of 43%.
While they understandably concede less per game when they have more of the ball (0.86 compared to 1.29), they do tend to score more when they have less possession (1.61 compared to 1.29 per game).
In fact, when looking at how they fared in the match they had least possession in this campaign, they scored three times in a win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
In contrast, in the game where they had the ball the most - at home to Brentford - they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat.
When everyone else is trying to move more towards the possession-based grain, going against it could be what secures Forest European football for the first time in more than 40 years.
How do Forest make 'landmark season' a 'building block'?published at 12:45 6 May
12:45 6 May
Pat Riddell Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
This season is undoubtedly a success, but nobody is going to really say that until we can quantify what 'success' means.
Getting to our first FA Cup semi-final in three decades was a huge moment, but sadly was not an occasion we to rose to.
Being in the top four of the Premier League for so long, and safe from relegation by January, is a million miles away from the reality of battling relegation in the previous two seasons.
The next three games are obviously huge for Nottingham Forest, yet it is also important to recognise this progress and admire just how far we have come.
And, with that in mind, the question - whatever happens in the next few weeks - is how do we build on this success?
How do the Reds make this landmark season a building block, rather than just a one-off? Can Wembley visits, European competition and the right end of the Premier League become a regular fixture?
Strengthening the squad is clearly key to this future. We do not necessarily need a bigger squad but performing beyond expectations this season has shown up our limitations and, having gone so long without serious injuries, recent weeks have exposed our lack of depth.
The signings of Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson last summer have been the difference for Forest this season, with both players making the first XI a force to be reckoned with.
But without real competition for Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, we have struggled.
Similarly, while low possession and counter-attacking football has been the Reds' trademark - what next? How do we progress to keeping more of the ball, controlling games and creating or converting more chances?
These are evidently not questions for the here and now, but in order to build on this yet-to-be-quantified success it is important to recognise progress - and ensure it is lasting.
Forest v Chelsea could be an 'absolute cruncher of a game'published at 09:00 6 May
09:00 6 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw says the Reds could be shaping up for "a cup final on the final day against Chelsea".
Nuno Espirito Santo's side are in sixth, two points behind Enzo Maresca's fifth-placed Blues, after Monday's 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace.
Forest host Leicester next weekend and then go to West Ham, before Chelsea visit the City Ground on 25 May. Meanwhile, the Blues travel to Newcastle and then face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
"Ideally, you want to probably get two wins before that and that would put big pressure on Chelsea," Earnshaw told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast on Tuesday. "Then you might only need a draw because I think seven points will do it.
"That could be a cup final [against Chelsea at the City Ground] - whoever wins goes to the Champions League. On that final day, it could be an absolute cruncher of a game."
Coincidentally, Forest played Chelsea in their final home game of last season, and it proved to be a humdinger.
The two sides were locked at 1-1 going into the final 15 minutes, before Callum Hudson-Odoi put the hosts ahead.
However, Chelsea countered with two goals in two minutes from Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson to claim all three points in a 3-2 win.
Reds fans will be hoping history will not be repeated...
Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest - the fans' verdictpublished at 08:27 6 May
08:27 6 May
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your thoughts after Monday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park.
Here are some of your comments:
Palace fans
Gruff: A solid performance against a strong Forest team, but we should have taken all three points with some of the glorious chances at the end to score. Daniel Munoz was excellent in creating chances. Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr were very creative and they look dangerous in attack. The back three was solid, but it was a very cheap goal to concede. Hopefully we get a win against Spurs to keep the momentum going into a big final!
Keith: Palace played really well but, for the umpteenth time this season, they failed to convert their xG superiority into actual goals. If matches were decided on xG, Palace would be in the top four.
Ken: Too many missed chances led to a draw. It should have been a comfortable win for Palace but the finishing was poor. Jean-Philippe Mateta was not in this match at all.
Hector: A good point from the boys. They deserved it after that performance against a very well-drilled Forest team. I can't wait for Wembley!
Steve: To be honest, Palace could and should have won the game. Forest created very little and their equaliser was a rather fortunate deflection. It was a poor goal for Palace to give away after just taking the lead. If they take their chances, Spurs away is a great opportunity for getting three more points closer to that 50-point target.
Forest fans
Lewis: It is, without doubt, 'squeaky bum time'. We have overperformed and are now sitting in a position where there is a general feeling that we should be doing better. That is a great place to be. The team looked galvanised against Palace, despite Callum Hudson-Odoi being out. Great to see Ibrahim Sangare playing well and Elliot Anderson looked sharp. I'm sure Murillo will pull through. Three huge games left, but three winnable games. Time to bring that top five spot home.
Yvonne: Forest need to keep focused for their last few games. They have not been good enough in recent weeks. It is a shame because they have worked so hard this season. Get back on it, lads, and make everyone proud. You can do it. The referee was shocking and yellow must be his favourite colour.
Ben: Another uncharacteristic Forest performance. They lacked the dynamism and cutting edge needed going forward to really trouble Palace, but credit must be given to a very organised and committed defensive display from Palace. Am I the only one who thinks Tyrick Mitchell was already going down after tripping on the ball, before he made contact with Matz Sels?
Mossy: Would have taken a draw before the game. We have got to beat Leicester on Sunday - and they would love to muck up our chances.
'It is still in Forest's hands'published at 08:19 6 May
08:19 6 May
Image source, Getty Images
Former Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that while fans will be disappointed to see their side dropping down the table, he believes Champions League qualification is still in their hands.
"They are still sixth. There is only two points difference between [Forest and] Chelsea and Newcastle [in fifth and fourth, respectively].
"But when you have been in third for so long it is a little bit more disappointing when you see yourself start dropping and dropping.
"Two weeks ago they were probably nailed on and now they are in sixth, so it is very difficult.
"But I say it is in their hands because they have probably got the best fixtures out of the whole lot."
'All the teams in this big fight will give it a go'published at 07:30 6 May
07:30 6 May
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC MOTD: "Let's think about the game. It was two halves, and in the first first we were very good. It was good for us that we achieved the goal so soon after the goal for Crystal Palace. That gave us belief to fight for the game. After last week, a good attitude.
"It's about finding ourselves again after the past three games. We defended better, it's so obvious, against a talented opponent in Palace.
"The final games will be nervous, tight games. Everyone is fighting for something and Selhurst Park is always a tough place to come.
"All the teams in this big fight will give it a go."
Did you know?
No side has received more yellow cards in a Premier League game this season than Nottingham Forest's eight against Palace, and it is the most the Reds have received in a match in the competition.
Gossip: Saudi side Al-Hilal eye Nunopublished at 07:29 6 May
07:29 6 May
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo and Fulham manager Marco Silva are among the candidates being considered by Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal. (Talksport), external