After finishing only 12 points above the relegation zone last season, Nottingham Forest have defied the odds and place third amongst the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City. However, the question remains — can Nottingham Forest really go all the way?
Keys to Nottingham Forest’s success
Following the 2022-2023 season, Anthony Elanga left Manchester United for 18 million euros after only picking up two assists in 20 games. After playing 57 games for Nottingham Forest, the Swedish international has scored eight goals and has recorded 16 assists. Both Elanga’s teammates Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Morgan Gibbs-White share similar stories; their childhood clubs moved on from them and have reignited their careers under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Red’s back line has also been paramount to their success, partly given to the dynamism of their center-back’s: Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic. Forest’s pairing has proven to be the backbone of the team as the team’s success does not only stem from their player development, but also from their defensive discipline.
However, Forest’s defensive success is not only attributed to their center-backs. Belgian international Matz Sels has been key for the Reds between the sticks, particularly during their clash against league leaders Liverpool where he had six big saves in the 1-1 draw.
The numbers speak for themselves as, this season, Nottingham have had the most clean sheets this season with nine and place fifth in the Premier League in goals scored from counter attacks (4). These statistics are even more suprising as Nottingham place 13th in the Premier League with goals scored (30) and lowest expected goal rate within the top ten teams (xG 30.49). Furthermore, Nuno’s men are third in the league despite having the least amount of possession in the entire Premier League.
Comparison to Leicester
Nottingham were battling relegation last season and are now second in the Premier League — naturally giving fans all over the world deja vu to one of football’s most beloved underdog stories — that of the infamous title-winning 2016 Leicester City side.
At this point in the season, The Reds have the same amount of points in 20 games as Leicester City had when they won the Premier League under Claudio Ranieri. Furthermore, at this point in the season Nottingham find themselves in second, similar to Leicester City during the same period.
Perhaps the Red’s greatest comparison is their spirit. Underdogs are essential in this sport — in a sport dominated by the same teams and financial supremacy underdog stories have become rarer with every passing season.
Teams like Leicester and Nottingham are a reminder of the passion that lies behind every fan, the heart that led players to fall in love with the game and what football means to the world.
Can they really go all the way?
At the end of the day, this season has already been a success for Espirito Santo’s side; having gone from battling relegation to battling for a European spot in the best league in the world (according to the UEFA coefficient). They are competing against the most in form team in the world right now, and are second in the Premier League.
As to whether they can win the league or not, it is very much a possibility. There are many similarities with the 2016 Leicester City team and they have shown no signs of slowing down.
Nottingham Forest could be headed towards one of the greatest underdog stories in the history of the sport. They could end Manchester City’s four year streak of winning the Premier League, after surviving relegation last season by only six points.
Similar to Leicester City, the whole world is looking at the Reds as they look to become only the third team outside the big six to win the Premier League in the last 30 years.
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