Yahoo News City Ground point made amid Evangelos Marinakis' big Nottingham Forest vision
Nuno Espirito Santo has reiterated the importance of Nottingham Forest remaining at the City Ground amid owner Evangelos Marinakis’ big ambitions for the club.
Earlier this year the Reds’ future at their home on the banks of the Trent was thrown into doubt due to a dispute with Nottingham City Council - who own the land - over rent and a new lease. Both Marinakis and chairman Tom Cartledge had mooted the possibility of relocating elsewhere, although Nuno publicly stated his wish for the club to stay put.
An agreement in principle is now in place for Forest to purchase the freehold of the stadium, with positive signs from the hierarchy that the possibility of moving elsewhere has been shelved. In an interview with the BBC Marinakis said his “priority” is for increased capacity at the City Ground, with his dream to have a 50,000-seater stadium.
“It drives everybody,” head coach Nuno said of Marinakis’ ambition. “He is the biggest authority at the club, so his ambition is what guides us - the way he wants to make this club grow and become a stable club, all of these ambitions.
“With the City Ground, if it’s here with 50,000, then great. As long as it is here, it is good.
“This is what drives us. It goes from the owner to everybody at the training ground. Everybody has to commit themselves and be aware that they are part of something that wants to grow. We need everybody on board.”
Nuno is nevertheless keen to temper immediate expectations somewhat. He does not want his players to get carried away after last weekend’s momentous win over Liverpool.
For the Portuguese, the focus is always on the next game. And that means looking no further than Sunday’s trip to face Brighton and Hove Albion (2pm kick-off).
“Our expectation is exactly the same, tomorrow. Our expectation is to prepare well tomorrow, to compete well on Sunday, step by step, each game at a time, each training session is important, this is our expectation,” Nuno said.
“There is no other way to play the game, whatever you did in the last game doesn't mean anything, it's what you have to do in the next one. They (the players) are aware of that, I hope.”
