Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo believes an extended FA Cup run could help Forest push for a Premier League top-four finish after they edged past Exeter City in a dramatic penalty shootout to reach the fifth round.
Forest were held to a 2-2 draw by the third-tier side on Tuesday before prevailing on penalties. The victory leaves them as the highest-ranked team in this season’s FA Cup following the early exits of Arsenal and Liverpool.
With crucial league matches against Fulham, Newcastle, and Arsenal coming up before their FA Cup fifth-round clash with Ipswich Town at the City Ground in early March, Nuno insists that competing on both fronts could be beneficial.
“If everyone has minutes in their legs, it will make things easier for us in the Premier League, I hope,” the Portuguese boss said.
“As long as we are healthy and have enough numbers, I think we can compete in both competitions really well.”
Nuno made 10 changes to the team that had thrashed Brighton 7-0 in their last league game, giving opportunities to fringe and younger players.
“Unfortunately, we cannot give minutes to all the players, so this is a reward for those working hard and the young boys,” he added.
“It is not about resting players; it is about taking care of the whole squad.”
Nottingham Forest last won the FA Cup in 1959, failing to claim the trophy even during their legendary era under Brian Clough, who led the club to multiple domestic and European successes between 1975 and 1993.
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