Friday, February 7, 2025
18.6 C
Canberra

How Nottingham Forest swapped a relegation battle for a Premier League title shot

For many years, Nottingham Forest fans have suffered through a seemingly never-ending rollercoaster of promotion chances and relegation battles.

Now they are a chance in the Premier League title chase.

It took 23 years, 1000 league and play-off matches and a total of 20 different managers for Forest to make their much-anticipated return to the Premier League – and they are savouring the moment.

FOLLOW LIVE: Australia vs India fourth Test, day three

Forest have defied the betting odds, which predicted the team to become favourites for relegation, and upset many of the competition's best.

The title chase has long been an objective that has seemed out of reach for three decades, but under Nuno Espirito Santo, anything seems possible.

Santo took over the reigns at the club just over one year ago and has overseen the fastest rise from a relegation candidate to title hopefuls since Leicester City in 2016.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo of Nottingham Forest smiles. Nottingham Forest FC via Getty I

The impressive comeback run has also placed Forest in strong contention to secure a qualification spot in the Champions League, which the club won in 1979 and 1980.

In the season so far, Santo's men have won 10 of their 18 matches.

At this point in the season, Forest have already recorded more wins than they have managed over the duration of the past two seasons.

In both 2023/24 and 2022/23 they achieved just nine wins in 38 games.

Watch every match of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, streaming ad free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

The last time Forest found such success at this point in the season, the first smartphone was just being put on shelves and google had yet to be invented.

That season took place in 1995 and the club went on to finish third.

How Nottingham Forest swapped a relegation battle for a Premier League title shot

Nottingham Forest players celebrate their opening goal against Ipswich Town FC. CameraSport via Getty Images

So, what changed over the off-season break?

"There is no way to play in the Premier League if you are not solid, compact and strong in defence," Santo said.

"The team is doing well defensively, basically because of the hard work of the players -their resilience and commitment to put their body in front of the ball.

"We are stronger as a team this season."

With a strong focus on defence and counter-attack, the average total possession of Forest is almost identical to the statistics when they were ranked 19th last season.

The 50-year-old went on to reveal his determination to keep his team "humble" regardless of the path their recent success takes them on.

"I'm always confident since the beginning and even last season," he said.

"Always confident the good work and dedication and commitment can achieve good results and I'm very proud of the players – the way they work every day, staying humble and recognising we have a lot of things to improve and a long way to go.

"Very pleased that players are stepping in (to help contribute goals) either on set-piece situations or (from) our centre-halves. It's important and many players are having good chances and it's crucial that anyone can help.

"They make the things happen, the players make it happen. You can try and do what you want and the detail, but they are the ones that make it happen so credit to them."

How Nottingham Forest swapped a relegation battle for a Premier League title shot

Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest celebrates Getty

Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo guide the tactics of the backline, but upfront it is New Zealand's Chris Wood who continues to stand out.

Wood has been a vital centrepiece in Forest's rise this season, slotting 10 goals in 18 appearances, but his journey in the Premier League could have looked very different.

First joining the club in 2022, his season was cut short due to injury but upon return last season showed signs of his ability to deliver in high pressure and crucial moments.

The Kiwi national rejected a pursuit from Auckland FC manager Steve Corica earlier this season, who looked to convince the striker to make the switch to the A-League.

Corica later admitted his call was "a little bit unrealistic."

"We did speak to Chris Wood," he said.

"Maybe in two, three years, this could be a different story."

Wood has scored 21 times since the arrival of Nuno at Forest and currently ranks fifth overall across the competition for top goal scorers this season.

Although, Forest have only scored 24 goals this season, placing them in the bottom half total goals scored by all teams in the competition, they have conceded the third least amount of goals.

In comparison, under fire Australian manager Ange Postecoglou's team sits second overall with 39 goals scored. Liverpool sit atop of the chart with 40.

Santo's eyes will likely not shift total focus away from the Premier League title, but for now, all signs are suggesting a Champions League qualification is nearing.

Forest will be back in action on Monday, December 30 when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Hot this week

Topics

spot_img

Related Articles