Micah Richards makes 'amazing' Nottingham Forest admission after UEFA development
03/17/2025 03:00 PM
Nottingham Forest have occupied third place in the Premier League since December 29th and right now, Champions League football looks to be firmly in the team’s sights.
The Reds beat Ipswich 4-2 at Portman Road on Saturday. Forest produced a devastating three goals in six first-half minutes to put the hosts to the sword and practically end their lingering hopes of surviving relegation.
Danny Murphy praised Morgan Gibbs-White for his efforts on Saturday. He’s now been added to the England squad after Cole Palmer withdrew from the squad through injury.
Despite what people have said outside of the City Ground, Forest aren’t going away. Being third in September or October is one thing but still being there with nine games remaining means the Reds command respect.
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Micah Richards makes Nottingham Forest claim
With each passing week and the Reds remaining in third, the possibility of playing in the Champions League next season becomes even more of a certainty.
Forest do still have some work to do, of course. Things can change very quickly in the Premier League and if Newcastle win their game in hand, the gap to sixth will be reduced to four points.
However, Richards has spoken fondly of Forest and he believes the team now stands a really strong chance of making the Champions League now that a top-five finish will complete the job.
He said on The Rest is Football podcast: “To be fair, Nottingham Forest have been outstanding. I’ve said many times that Nuno Espirito Santo has got to be up there for Manager of the Season. He’s doing a top job, a few eyebrows were raised when he got the job but he’s doing a fantastic job.
“It looks like there is going to be five places for the Champions League, they’re sitting pretty in third and they just keep doing it. They had a couple of dodgy games like Newcastle away when they conceded four goals in a short space of time but they’ve stiffened back up. They’re a great team to watch and I think when you go to the ground it’s amazing, I’d love to see them in the Champions League.”
The last time Nottingham Forest played in the Champions League
Strictly speaking, Forest have never played in the Champions League. When the Reds dominated the competition it was called the European Cup.
The Reds haven’t been in the elite European club competition since the 1980/81 campaign when Forest were knocked out by CSKA Sofia in the first round as the defending champions.
Forest would dearly love to return. Although Evangelos Marinakis has been gearing towards reaching the Champions League, even he must be pleasantly surprised at how well the team have done this season.
Forest are tantalisingly close to achieving the Champions League dream. Now, it’s imperative the team stays focused and gets over the line in the quest to secure elite European football on Trentside.
