Your latest Nottingham Forest headlines brought to you by NottinghamshireLive on May 8...
Steve Cooper sends play-offs message ahead of Sheffield United tie
Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper is anticipating an exciting play-offs semi-final against Sheffield United.
The Reds ended their regular season with a 1-1 draw at Hull City to finish fourth in the Championship table. And that result means they will take on the Blades over two legs in a bid to reach Wembley and keep alive their promotion hopes.
"We went into the game not too concerned about who we were going to get in the play-offs, because so many things could happen," said Cooper. "We just thought, ‘go play the game and see who we end up with’.
"We’ve got Sheffield United. We look forward to it. Going into the game, we weren’t thinking about who we might play. I’ve done the play-offs for the last couple of years; they are unique games.
"It doesn’t matter who you play, it’s a challenge for anybody. We’ll be the same for Sheffield United. It’s the same for the other ties that are going on in all the leagues. We’re in good shape. We’re looking forward to it.
"We look forward to the game. We’ve not really thought about it too much, but it’s two big stadiums, two big clubs and passionate fanbases. It’s two good teams, who have finished fourth and fifth in the league. It has the makings of a really good game."
The key dates Forest fans need to know for Championship play-offs
Nottingham Forest are three games away from the Premier League as the Reds enter the Championship play-offs.
A fourth place finish in the table mean that Steve Cooper' s men take on fifth place Sheffield United in the semi-final of the end-of-season tournament. A 1-1 draw against Hull City on the final day saw Forest finish in fourth, while the Blades came out as 4-0 winners over Fulham to secure fifth position.
The play-off semi-final first legs will take place on Friday, 13 May (Luton vs Huddersfield) and Saturday, 14 May (Sheffield United vs Forest). And the second legs will be on Monday, 16 May (Huddersfield vs Luton) and Tuesday, 17 May (Forest vs Sheffield United).
The final will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 29 May, with a place in the Premier League up for grabs.
Fulham boss makes four-word Sheffield United vs Forest prediction
Fulham boss Marco Silva dropped a subtle four-word prediction about the Championship play-offs after his side were beaten 4-0 by Sheffield United.
The Whites, whose promotion to the Premier League has long been confirmed, were comfortably beaten at Bramall Lane. A quick-fire 15 minutes saw Morgan Gibbs-White, Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge all find the net for the Blades, before Enda Stevens added to the hosts' tally after the break.
Fulham's defeat to United - along with Forest 's 1-1 draw at Hull City - means Steve Cooper's side will take on the Blades over two-legs in the Championship play-off semi-finals later this month.
According to the reports, Silva appeared to make a subtle prediction about the play-offs as he muttered "see you next season" as he left the Bramall Lane media suite.
In his press conference, Silva said: "It will be difficult for anyone, because so many things can impact upon the games. United, as we know, they started (the campaign) badly. But they have got better as it’s gone on. Much better. So we will see. Whoever does it, they will deserve it. Because it’s going to be tough to get through."
Pundit backs 'heavyweight' Nottingham Forest to win promotion
Sky Sports pundit Jobi McAnuff has backed Nottingham Forest for promotion to the Premier League ahead of their Championship play-off fixtures against Sheffield United.
Steve Cooper' s side will now face the Blades in a replica of the 2003 Division One play-off semi-finals when Sheffield United won in dramatic style in extra-time. In the other play-off semi-final, Luton Town will take on Huddersfield Town.
Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports for their coverage of Luton Town's 1-0 win over Reading, McAnuff - who has won promotion twice as a player for the Royals and Leyton Orient - said he expects Forest to reach the Premier League.
Asked by Sky Sports presenter David Prutton who will win the play-offs, McAnuff said: "Luton Town and Huddersfield are the two underdogs. They certainly were at the start of the season but still are now when you look at their budgets, they are two teams that have done really well. Then you've got two heavyweights in terms of this division for sure.
"Forest I just have a feeling about because of how well they have done to get to this position. There are a lot of teams arriving in good form, though. Huddersfield have been magnificent. If I'm to be pushed for one then I'd back Nottingham Forest."
