Nottingham Forest, led by Nuno Espirito Santo, fall to Newcastle United on penalties in Carabao Cup clash.
Nottingham Forest will continue to support striker Taiwo Awoniyi after his penalty miss in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle United. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledged that Awoniyi’s confidence might be shaken by the missed spot-kick but emphasized the positives, including Awoniyi getting valuable minutes to build his fitness after missing most of pre-season.
The match saw Jota making his first start in the Garibaldi, along with fellow summer signings Carlos Miguel, Eric da Silva Moreira, Alex Moreno, and Ramon Sosa, all included in the starting XI for their debuts.
Reflecting on the game, Nuno highlighted the team’s overall good performance, noting that despite a poor start and conceding early, Forest showed good control and created chances against a strong Newcastle side. Although the team struggled in the last 10 minutes, Nuno was proud of the players, especially as many were making their debuts.
Nuno praised the debutants, saying they proved their worth and have been working hard since joining the club. On goalkeeper Carlos Miguel’s performance, Nuno acknowledged his solid display, especially considering the challenge of adapting to a new country, and noted his penalty save as a positive takeaway.
Awoniyi’s full 90 minutes were also seen as a step in the right direction, despite some fatigue showing towards the end of the game. Nuno emphasized that Awoniyi has the talent, and the opportunity to play will help him regain his fitness. While Nuno admitted that the penalty miss could affect Awoniyi’s confidence, he stressed the importance of moving forward quickly, with the team’s next match on Saturday.
Regarding the final days of the transfer window, Nuno stated that Forest would remain vigilant, expressing a desire for a couple of additional options if possible. While acknowledging the flood of transfer rumors, many of which were untrue, he expressed hope that the club could make some final moves before the window closes.