After losing their appeal about a Premier League point punishment, Nottingham Forest expressed disappointment on Thursday, but manager Nuno Espirito Santo claimed the team has moved on and is now focused on avoiding relegation.
Forest was notified on Tuesday that their appeal was not successful after they were given a four-point deduction in March for violating the league’s profit and sustainability regulations.
They now have 29 points, three above the relegation zone, and are ranked 17th in the table with two games left.
Read Also: Nottingham Forest Losses Appeal Against Point Deduction
“We were all disappointed. Because we conquered those points on the pitch we had the hope and the belief that they can give them back, but the decision is over,” Espirito Santo said.
“This is the reality, this is what we have, this is what we have to face and let’s focus on ourselves because it’s in our hands.
“Since the beginning, since the possibility of the points deduction we always face it the same way, what we have to focus on is ourselves, our job. We have already moved on.”
Forest wants to go out in style, and a victory over Chelsea at home on Saturday would all but assure them a spot in the Premier League for the following season.
“It’s our last game at home at the City Ground, it’s important for our main goal and for our fans that we finish in a nice way,” the manager said.
“They have been so helpful and their support is so important for us that now is the moment to give them back all that they give to us.”
With a far better goal differential, Forest may almost certainly be safe before their match against Chelsea begins if Luton Town loses at West Ham United and Burnley loses at Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the day on Saturday.
However, their manager does not want his team to be concerned about events occurring in other places.
“We don’t have to get distracted about what is happening in other stadiums, we have to focus on ourselves, this is the main message, let’s just focus on ourselves and play a good game,” he said.