What Nuno said during halftime to spur Nottingham Forest to victory while providing a transfer update

Latest Nottingham Forest news as Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds beat Southampton 1-0 in Premier League clash at St Mary’s

Nuno Espirito Santo hopes the way Nottingham Forest have started the season is a sign they are moving in the right direction.

The Reds want to push on in the Premier League this term after successive relegation battles since promotion back to the top-flight. Morgan Gibbs-White’s goal to see off Southampton 1-0 at St Mary’s on Saturday made it four points from their opening two games of the 2024/25 campaign.

Having dominated the first half without anything to show for it, Forest needed to remain patient on the south coast. But Nuno believes ensuring they secured their rewards eventually and survived a late spell of pressure is a positive step.

Below is a look at what the Portuguese had to say after the final whistle. He discussed the game and Gibbs-White’s goal, as well as the summer transfer window as deadline day looms.

On the match….

“We played a very good game. We were dominant and controlled the tempo of the game from the start. We created situations.

“It is always tough to play away from home – that is an issue we have had. Let’s see if this is a first step towards an improvement.

“Overall it was a very good performance from the boys. Southampton had a spell in the second half, but sometimes that happens. They have quality and we were not able to press. Those 10 or 15 minutes were really tough, but overall it was a good effort from the players.”

On what was said at half-time after missed chances…

“I spoke with the players. We always try to find details we can see and correct, knowing that after the first half we still had 45 minutes to go.

“We are asking a lot of things from the players and demanding a lot from them. But the answer is being slowly positive towards that direction

“At half-time, we knew we still had 45 minutes to play. What we did in the first half didn’t mean anything, so it was a new game.”

On what the signings made so far have added to the squad…

“Balance and options,. Today we were not totally balanced on the bench. (Ramon) Sosa was not able to be there because the paperwork from the transfer was not there, so we only had one winger and one striker.

“What we want, when we have all the squad, is to know we have solutions. This is what we want; the more solutions we have, the better.”

On the final days of the transfer window…

“You know how it is. We go now and when you wake up, you don’t know what is going to happen.

“There are so many things going on in the transfer window – surprise moves from all the teams. All the clubs in the Premier League are looking at these final days (of the window) to get the final details right. As long as we are the same, I will be OK. But let’s see what happens.”