Nuno Espirito Santo: Matt Turner showed he is a 'top professional'

By SABC Sport
8th February 2024

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo was impressed by goalkeeper Matt Turner after his top display in the FA Cup fourth-round clash with Bristol City.

Turner has made several high-profile mistakes in recent weeks which saw Nuno sign a new keeper in the January transfer window, with Matz Sels going straight into the team for the Premier League game at Bournemouth on Sunday.

Sels was ineligible for the replay and United States international Turner kept Bristol City at bay throughout 120 minutes and then saved Sam Bell's spot-kick as Forest won the shoot-out 5-3 after the tie had ended 1-1.

Nuno, himself a former goalkeeper, said: "It has to give him confidence. We know it is not easy for him after the decision we took to change in the Premier League, but his response is of a top professional."

Forest thought an easy night might be in store when Divock Origi scored his first goal for the club after eight minutes, only for Jason Knight to equalise six minutes later.

It has not been an enjoyable time at the City Ground for former Liverpool striker Origi, who has been out with a lengthy injury.

Nuno said: "I think in the first half he did well with that energy. But as the minutes go by, he has had a long absence.

"We are adding options to allow these players to play, it gives us options for the future.

"We are trying to manage what we have, recover players that were out. We still have until (February) 11th a lot of players involved in the (Africa Cup of Nations), it is important to have as many options as we can."

Championship side Bristol City put up a good fight and had enough chances to win both in normal time and the additional period.

They have a gruelling schedule as they head up Middlesbrough in league action on Saturday and their boss Liam Manning suggested the tie should have gone straight to penalties.

"It is a mad period for us, it is hugely full-on. We'll get back in the early hours of the morning and then we're back up to Middlesbrough on Friday.

"It madness that we are playing extra time, it should go straight to penalties, no one needs the extra minutes. It's just common sense, a replay is enough."