Nottingham

We asked you to send in your memories of former Nottingham Forest defender Larry Lloyd, who has died at the age of 75.

Here are some of your replies:

Maurice: My best memory of Larry Lloyd is the 1978 League Cup final replay against Liverpool at Old Trafford. He won every ball in the air that night and we were under the cosh for 89 minutes, as we had to play with half the reserve team!

John: Larry Lloyd and Kenny Burns were our greatest-ever central defensive partnership. With Shilton behind them in goal, they were at times almost unbeatable. Larry was strong in the air and a fearsome tackler who took no prisoners. The crowd loved it when he decided to go on one of his runs upfield and he took some stopping.

Mark: He was a calming influence and a really reliable and no-nonsense defender. He could play as well as be a hard man if required. He and Kenny Burns were amazing together during that period. Sad day for all of the Forest family. Brings back memories of listening to those European nights under my bed sheets as I was supposed to be asleep.

Ian: Straightforward, no-nonsense defender and he formed an incredibly strong centre-back partnership with Kenny Burns. Apparently never afraid to speak his mind, he had his ‘moments’ with Cloughie - which regularly ended with Lloyd getting a ‘tree envelope’ containing notice of a fine. But Clough knew Lloyd’s value to the team and whenever he was fit he played!

Nigel: Like most of the players in that team he made the most of the talent he undoubtedly had. As a supporter in the stands you always knew they would give their all for the cause.

Eric: A really great player. I was very lucky to spend a match with Larry some years ago when he was commentating. A larger-than-life person in many ways. One of the Forest legends. RIP.

Image source, Getty Images

Everton manager Sean Dyche says "everyone is wondering" why Nottingham Forest received a four-point deduction for their breach of Premier League financial rules given the Toffees were initially docked 10 points.

Everton's penalty was reduced to six points on appeal, and Forest confirmed on Tuesday they would also appeal their sanction.

The deduction moved Forest into the relegation zone, four points behind Dyche's side having played a game more.

"I don't know the minutiae of our own, let alone theirs," he said in his pre-match news conference before Saturday's trip to Bournemouth.

"I can only imagine there's more depth to it, which is why they gave them those points and us ours. But in its simplest form everyone is going 'how does that work out?' But I don't know the depth involved, because there is so much that goes into it.

"The rhymes and reasons behind it will be down to the appeal situation, it's not down to me, that's for sure."

Everton are also facing a hearing into a second charge but Dyche is happy with the mindset of his players despite the possibility of a second points deduction hanging over them.

"You can't judge every person about their own psychology but the main thing is we know we're all on board with it," he added.

"It's the reality. We've dealt with it before really well.

"It's an experience nobody wants but it's the reality. The players don't seem affected at this time so we will see what it brings."

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has been speaking to the media for the first time since the club were deducted four points for breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

Here are the key lines from his press conference to preview the game against Crystal Palace:

• He said the four-point deduction is the "club's reality" and "the reality is we are in the relegation zone". He added: "So who are we to say if it's fair or unfair? We have to focus on what we have to do and what we have to do is on the pitch. That's the message, to forget about everything and to focus on our tasks to get out of this situation."

• On what he has told his players: "Our message is clear; forget about the past and focus on what we have to do. Stick together."

• He said the relegation fight "is in our hands" and "it is up to us to reverse that situation".

• On how confident he is about staying up, Nuno said: "Of course [I am]. The way we work, the way we play and the togetherness of the players, I see it every day and that's why I'm so confident."

• He confirmed some players have returned from international duty with "issues" but will be assessed before Saturday's game against Crystal Palace.

• On the passing of club legend Larry Lloyd: "He was one of the 'Miracle Men'. All thoughts with his family. It's a sad moment. To win two European Cups in a row is a miracle."

• On Forest coach Steven Reid receiving a two-match ban for his reaction after the defeat to Liverpool: "It was a very difficult moment for everyone. It can get very emotional and it is hard to control our feelings and thoughts. Steve feels sorry for what happened and apologised to everybody. He's a very nice person and of huge important to us."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences here

Full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace on BBC Radio 5 Live from 15:00 GMT on BBC Radio 5 Live

After the death at the age of 75 of former Nottingham Forest defender Larry Lloyd, we want your memories of the double European Cup winner.

What made him such a special player for the Reds?

And where does he rank among the players in that great side?

Tell us here

Here are the key facts and figures before Saturday's Premier League fixture between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

• Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their seven Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace. It is the most times they have faced a side without losing and the most times the Eagles have played an opponent without winning in the competition.

• Palace have won just one of their past 12 league games against Forest - a 1-0 victory at the City Ground in the Championship in December 2011.

• The Eagles are eithout a win in their past eight league away games, their longest such run since a 10-match streak between May and December 2017.

• Crystal Palace have conceded more goals in the final five minutes of Premier League games this season than any other side (14), including in their past two matches against Tottenham and Luton Town.

• Reds striker Chris Wood is one goal away from scoring 10 in the Premier League this season, and he has netted six goals in his past seven games in the competition. It would be the fifth time he has reached double figures since 2017-18 and he would become the seventh player to do so after Mohamed Salah (seven), Son Heung-min (seven), Harry Kane (six), Jamie Vardy (five), Raheem Sterling (five) and Sadio Mane (five).

• Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta has been involved in three goals in his past four league appearances (two goals, one assist), as many as in his previous 18. His five goals this season already equals his most in a campaign in the competition in 2021-22.

Listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace at 15:00 GMT on Saturday

Image source, Getty Images

The Premier League appears desperate to destroy its position as the go-to league.

Who needs competition from Serie A and La Liga when you have overcomplicated, Byzantine financial rules? Just about every club is living in fear of making an accounting error that could lead to docked points.

Nottingham Forest suffered a four-point deduction from what was a technical breach, simply because they were trying to be competitive after years away from the top table.

Everton were dealt a heftier blow and there may be more to come.

Suddenly the lawyers feel the need to go after Leicester City, who aren't in the league but could face a knockout blow if they have the audacity to get promoted.

Manchester City and Chelsea fans must be quaking in case they are next to fall foul of the financial hit men.

The rules are overcomplicated and the implementation is bizarre.

It is perfectly possible we will not know who has been relegated until rulings have been challenged.

The game is being run by people who have no love or knowledge of the sport, specifically that the 'nuclear option' of points deductions should only ever be used in extraordinary, exceptional and unusual circumstances.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter