By Henry Green
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno has said it’s “very important” to have owner Evangelos Marinakis back at the City Ground as his five-game stadium ban ends.
Marinakis received the ban after he was found guilty of improper conduct for spitting on the floor as match officials walked past him following Forest’s 1-0 defeat to Fulham on September 28.
The 57-year-old denied the charge but an FA commission said there was “no excuse” for his “display of disrespectful behaviour” with the Greek now able to return to the City Ground against Ipswich on Saturday (November 30).
Speaking at a press conference today (November 28) Nuno spoke of his relationship with the Forest owner.
“My relationship is very close to the owner, as close as things can be and it’s a professionally good relationship,” he said.
“It’s very important [having him back] he’s the presence of the club, he’s the highest authority that we have and having him with us is always good,” he added.
Nuno also gave updates on the squad ahead of the home Premier League game against Ipswich (K.O. 3pm), with injury doubts Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson being assessed tomorrow and Anthony Elanga also in contention to return.
The Reds boss also said he “thinks things are going well” with contract negotiations for defender Ola Aina.
Nuno also praised the Ipswich side and The Tractor Boys’ striker Liam Delap.
“I believe that Ipswich will come here and try to win and I can assure you that we are on the same page,” he said.
“First of all we have to control the levering if you can control that you can minimise the options of Delap. He’s a good player, he’s a very young striker who’s doing really well.”
He also addressed Forest’s defensive form after conceding six goals in their last two games in comparison to seven in their previous ten Premier League games.
“Of course we are concerned, but we are also concerned when we play good and we win because there are always issues to address and to improve.
“First we have to give credit to the opponents because some of those goals it is very difficult to stop them but there are aspects that need to improve,” he added.
The Reds host Ipswich Town on Saturday with Nuno describing the home factor as “huge.”
Nottingham Forest also look ahead to a difficult December with the reds playing the likes of Manchester City and Aston Villa in a packed schedule.
