Nuno Espirito Santo has led Nottingham Forest into third place within the Premier League (Ben STANSALL)
Nuno Espirito Santo believes an FA Cup run for Nottingham Forest may enhance their efforts to complete within the prime 4 of the Premier League after they squeaked by way of to the fifth spherical on penalties.
Forest wanted a penalty shootout to see off Exeter following a 2-2 draw away to the third-tier membership on Tuesday.
Victory left Nuno’s males, third within the Premier League, because the highest-ranked crew left on this season’s FA Cup, with Arsenal and Liverpool already knocked out.
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Forest face a busy schedule of video games in opposition to Fulham, Newcastle and Arsenal forward of their subsequent FA Cup tie with Ipswich on the Metropolis Floor in early March.
However supervisor Nuno stated the packed fixture record could possibly be a bonus, believing he has the squad depth to compete on two fronts.
“If everybody has minutes of their legs it can make issues simpler for us (within the Premier League), I hope,” stated the Portuguese boss.
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“So long as we’re wholesome and have sufficient numbers, I feel we will compete in each competitions very well.”
Nuno made 10 modifications to the facet that had thrashed Brighton 7-0 in Forest’s earlier league fixture as they arrange a fifth-round tie in opposition to fellow Premier league facet Ipswich.
The previous Wolves and Tottenham supervisor added: “Sadly, we can not give minutes to all of the gamers, so it is a reward (choice for Cup video games) for all of the gamers who’re working so laborious and the younger boys.
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“It’s good for us. It’s not resting gamers, it’s caring for all of the squad.”
Forest final lifted the FA Cup in 1959, failing to win it even throughout their golden period beneath Brian Clough, who gained a number of trophies throughout his managerial reign from 1975 till 1993.
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