Jay Bothroyd had expressed some sympathy towards Nottingham Forest – and believes that the Reds do have enough to survive Premier League relegation this season.
The pundit was speaking on The Football Show on Sky Sports News.
So, what did Bothroyd say after Forest were beaten 1-0 by Brighton at the AMEX Stadium yesterday? Let’s take a closer look…
What Jay Bothroyd said about Nottingham Forest
Well, things are getting pretty desperate for Nottingham Forest and they’re staring down the barrel of Premier League relegation now.
Forest should find out what their punishment for breaching profitability and sustainability regulations later this week.
Then, on Saturday, they face Luton at Kenilworth Road with that one looking very much like a must-win game.
Bothroyd does have some sympathy for Forest after Jakub Moder was allowed to stay on the pitch despite an awful tackle on Neco Williams.
He’s also namechecked two players that he believes can be pivotal to the club in their bid against survival.
Bothroyd told The Football Show on Sky Sports News: “I mean, it doesn’t help, the bottom of the league is as exciting as the top of the league. That is an awful challenge and I think he (Nuno Espirito Santo) has every right to go to the media and do what he did. He will probably get in trouble now but he shouldn’t.
“I feel a bit sorry for him this year, to be honest, I think Forest have had decisions go against them.
“That said, I still think they can grind out results though. Awoniyi is key and if he gets on form, he holds the ball up well and he scores goals and he’s very important. There’s Gibbs-White as well and I do think they have enough to stay in the league.”
Forest need action on the pitch now
Bothroyd is right but Forest are in danger of slipping without a trace, with the team now on a run of one victory in eight games.
It looked as though the Reds had turned a sizeable corner when they defeated Newcastle and Manchester United over Christmas but things have dropped off dramatically.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Morgan Gibbs-White are important but both of them have to start producing the goods for the team now.
The Reds really can’t afford to lose any ground on Luton and they could be below the Hatters before they lock horns with them at the weekend.
Bothroyd’s words are refreshing given that lots of pundits failed to back Forest last week after the incident in the Liverpool game.
Hopefully, something will change for Forest and their luck transforms between now and the end of the season.
However, Forest have to start helping themselves when it comes to their performances and yesterday simply wasn’t good enough.
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