Third-place ´doesn´t mean anything´, says Forest boss Nuno

Nottingham Forest leapfrogged into third place in the Premier League after a 3-0 victory against West Ham United, but Nuno Espirito Santo believes “it doesn’t mean anything.”

Forest took the lead through in-form striker Chris Wood before Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina added two more following Edson Alvarez’s dismissal for a second yellow late in the first half.

It was a complete display for Nuno’s side, who have outperformed expectations so far this season, with this representing the first time Forest will end the day in the top three of the top-flight since 1998.

While the manager was proud of the achievement, he will not rest on his laurels this early in the season.

“It doesn’t mean anything now. We have to keep going as it’s a over long season ahead of us. Positive moment but we should keep going,” Nuno told the press.

“I think all of us should be proud of the way we performed, we started the game well and controlled their threat while being positive going forward.

“The red card changed everything but the players understood not to be complacent. This is what football is about, fantastic moment for us and the fans.”

Chris Wood has now scored 8 league goals from 21 shots this season (38.1%).

Only Yoane Wissa (5/13 – 38.5%) has a better shot conversion rate (min. 5 shots). #NFOWHU pic.twitter.com/zZWulyEkVW

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) November 2, 2024

Forest racked up an expected goals (xG) total of 2.08 while limiting West Ham to just 0.16 xG at the City Ground.

They had 19 shots, with six of those on target, leaving vice-captain Ryan Yates hungry for more by the final whistle.

“We were really getting into it at the end and we wanted more goals. Unfortunately mine didn’t go in but we are delighted with today’s work,” he told BBC 5 Live.

“[Nuno] can really implement the ideas. There are many things that have gone into why we were doing well. I think the recruitment has been fantastic. We have kept the core together and we are doing really well.”