Sarah Clapson, Nottinghamshire Live: Champions League qualification would change everything for Forest | OneFootball

Sarah Clapson, Nottingham Forest correspondent for Nottinghamshire Live and the Nottingham Post, believes that qualifying for the Champions League would “transform” the club.

A surprise package this season, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are sixth in the Premier League table with five games left to play. The first of those fixtures sees Forest welcome Brentford to the City Ground on Thursday, live on Sky Sports (7.30pm kick-off GMT).

Nottingham Forest are sixth in the Premier League with five games to go. How have things have gone since Christmas?

It has been pretty incredible. So many times, pundits have tried to write Forest off and suggest they would fall away start falling down the table a little bit, but they are still there.

They are still where they deserve to be and they are there because they have been doing well.

Forest have had a few ups and downs, a few little wobbly patches, but they have still picked up results, kept going and been able to play the way Nuno Espírito Santo wants to play.

So, heading into these final few games, they are in with a great chance; they have put themselves in a terrific position.

It has been an incredible season, whatever happens, and it is in their own hands now. They are masters of their own destiny, which is something Nuno has talked about.

Having that heading into the final stretch is huge. They have got a real opportunity now and it is just a case of going out there and grabbing it.

Arsenal, having played one more game, are only seven points ahead in second. Do you thinking trying to catch them will be high on the list of priorities for the last few weeks?

That would be great and they will certainly aim to win every game, but I think the priority is to get Champions League football, because that would just transform the club.

It would open up a whole new avenue of revenue and transfer targets. It would just change everything.

Yes, there is some prestige that comes with finishing higher up the table and you get a little bit more money, but it is not a huge amount and I think just getting over the line and making sure they finish in those top five spots has to be the biggest aim.

If they get that done before the end of the season and they go into the final game or final couple of games and there is still a chance of finishing second or third then that would be great and they could aim for that, but I think the priority is just to get over that line.

Whatever happens from here in terms of results, European football in some form looks almost certain. Given next season will mark 20 years since Forest last played in the UEFA Cup, how exciting a prospect is that for everyone connected with the club, especially with the club’s rich history?

You cannot escape from the the 'Miracle Men’ and Brian Clough and the last time they were in Europe, as well.

It is such a big part of Forest's history and it is such a big part of the club. Getting there would reignite all of that - the players are aware of it and Nuno is aware of it.

They still have that link with the Brian Clough team, with the 'Miracle Men’, as John McGovern watches training and they still talk to him a lot about what it was like in those days.

Because of that rich history, it would mean so much to get back to that level after such a long time.

Forest are an ambitious club and Evangelos Marinakis is a hugely ambitious owner, who concentrates as much on the future as the past.

He recognises the past and he recognises what Forest have done, but he is all about creating a bright future, progressing and aiming higher.

Which player should Brentford fans keep an eye on at the City Ground?

You cannot look past Morgan Gibbs-White. When he is on his game, he is an absolute joy to watch.

Gibbs-White has got so much to offer and he is the man who makes Forest tick. If he is on it, Forest are on it - he gets them going.

He can create things. He has got magic in his boots. He can pop up with incredible moments that define a game and I think he will be really driven to end the season well.

He has got England ambitions, so he wants to impress Thomas Tuchel.

He did not manage that last time under Tuchel, so he will really want to end the season well for personal reasons, but also because he cares a lot and he wants Forest to do well.

What should Brentford expect in terms of shape and style from Forest?

Forest have had a clear identity this season.

The amount of possession that they have in games is probably well known by now – it is not a lot!

They are very comfortable without the ball and when they do get it, they like to get forward quickly and they are good at counter attacking.

They tend to set up in the same way pretty much every week, which is a 4-2-3-1 formation.

They have varied that a little bit, but at home particularly, Nuno will want to stick with what has worked.

They are comfortable if the opposition have more possession because they know they have got players who can hurt them when they do get up the pitch.

This is rarely a dull fixture, with 16 goals scored across the last five games. What’s your score prediction this time around?

I will go for a Forest win, 2-0.