Confidence. Trust. Details.
Three words that Nuno Espirito Santo uses frequently when talking to the media and, more importantly, when talking with his players. They are the values behind Nottingham Forest’s start to the season.
Last season, Nuno repeatedly said he would improve things once he had a pre-season to work with his players. It was easy to dismiss such words as an excuse while Forest battled to survival for the second year running but their head coach is being vindicated.
Yes, it is only four games and Forest face a very difficult trip to Brighton on Sunday, but that does not mean that the very obvious improvements in his Forest side should be overlooked.
The fact there is frustration behind the scenes that they have not collected more than eight points reveals the shift. So how has Nuno inspired such positivity?
Following Nuno’s appointment just before Christmas, Forest only had one weekend without a fixture. They played a game every 5.69 days on average, which meant their time was taken up with game preparation and recovery.
After the season finished, the return to training was July 9. Nuno made the most of every minute. It was intense. He is a hands-on coach who likes to get involved on the training ground. He expects enthusiasm in every session but he also wants the players to enjoy it. Sessions are short and sharp to retain focus.
The work that led to the 1-0 win at Liverpool began during Forest’s training camp in Spain. Temperatures often went above 30C (86F) in Murcia, so sessions took place early in the morning or in the evening, with double sessions most days. The squad regularly split into smaller groups to intensify their work with the ball.
Forest used different formations during their pre-season friendlies, with fringe players getting minutes. Nuno largely uses a 4-2-3-1 — even if the personnel might change — but wants Forest to be flexible depending on the challenges of each fixture.
At Anfield, the plan was always to field Nico Dominguez and Elliot Anderson in the wider midfield positions, to stifle the opposition threat down the flanks, before introducing the more attack-minded Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi off the bench as Liverpool tired.
The plan worked, enhancing Nuno’s standing among the squad. Steve Cooper remains a hugely respected figure for leading Forest into the Premier League but there is a feeling that Nuno is equipped to take the club forward again.
This summer was Forest’s most impressive transfer window for some time. Recruitment was sensible and carefully planned. Every arrival made the squad stronger.
The level of forethought — with input from chief football officer Ross Wilson, global technical director George Syrianos and head of recruitment Pedro Ferreira — can best be summed up by the work done in the full-back positions.
First, they have Neco Williams, who is highly regarded at Forest, while Ola Aina proved himself to be an outstanding addition last season. Forest wanted to sign another left-back to switch Aina to his more natural right side.
So they added Alex Moreno — a 31-year-old Spaniard with attacking instincts — on loan from Aston Villa and Eric Moreira, an 18-year-old from St Pauli who has significantly impressed Forest’s coaches.
In midfield, some people questioned whether the signing of James Ward-Prowse on loan from West Ham was needed but he has already made an impact after injuries to Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare. Ward-Prowse was outstanding on his debut at Liverpool.
On the wing, Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa are two exciting wide players who will ensure that Elanga and Hudson-Odoi do not drop their standards. Whichever two of the quartet start games, there will be quality options on the bench for Nuno, who prioritised signing more wingers.
Forest sold Brennan Johnson to Tottenham Hotspur for £47.5million ($63m at current rates) a year ago but have signed four very good wide players for less than the total they recouped by selling him — though Johnson’s departure was motivated by profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
PSR also contributed to the deal that saw Odysseas Vlachodimos move to Newcastle United and Elliot Anderson join Forest, with a fee of £15million effectively changing hands for the midfielder. It could easily become the best deal Forest have done in many years. Anderson has thrived on the left and in a central role, with his energy and quality on the ball taking Forest up a level.
In the centre of defence, Nikola Milenkovic may be the most important signing. The £10million initial fee Forest paid Fiorentina for the Serbia captain also looks like a bargain. We are yet to see much of 23-year-old Morato but he arrives with significant pedigree, having played Champions League football with Benfica.
There is a lot of love for the team that won promotion from the Championship but Forest have evolved. This is a group that should achieve more than a third fight against relegation.
It is hardly a groundbreaking notion, but as Ryan Yates testified after the Liverpool win, there is a belief in the dressing room that Forest have improved. “We are more competitive. You can tell from the players we have brought in. When players with quality come in, everyone else also has to raise their game,” he said.
Back to those three core principles.
“Confidence. Trust. Details,” said Nuno, when asked about Forest’s improvement, even before the Liverpool win. “What can we improve? How strongly can you impose your ideas? How can you dominate and control games?”
Since Nuno’s appointment, one of his priorities has been to give his players more belief. His message to the players has been to have faith in their own abilities — and to know that they can have an impact, even from the bench.
As Hudson-Odoi said in an interview with the BBC at Anfield: “The manager gives us big belief, and we go into every game confident. I didn’t start, but I wasn’t angry or disappointed. In my head, I just knew if I came on the pitch I’d have to make an impact and do what I can to help the team to win, which obviously I did. I’m buzzing.”
Nuno does not want his players to be fearful or intimidated when they head to face the big teams, and there is a feeling behind the scenes — among both the hierarchy and the squad — that Forest are now capable of winning games like the one they did at Liverpool.
There is a positive atmosphere in the dressing room, enhanced by the unbeaten start. As one source — who wished to remain anonymous to protect relationships — close to the players put it: “The group just has a very strong winning mentality. They want to keep going.”
During the training camp in Murcia, squad unity was seen as key — the players, coaches and staff enjoyed a meal together and there was the opportunity for them to play golf and games of table tennis, padel and darts.
With Forest having upgraded the facilities at the Nigel Doughty Academy last season and over the summer, players are encouraged to socialise before and after training. The canteen area and player’s lounge are now of a Premier League standard. Those at the club are no longer nervous about potential new signings seeing the facilities.
Forest are pressing higher up the pitch, playing with a higher tempo and attacking with ambition.
As the data writers at The Athletic would point out, definitive conclusions cannot be drawn by comparing an entire season of stats with just four games of the new campaign — but a few key statistics are noticeable.
Forest were 15th in the Premier League for the number of shots they had last season but now rank sixth. Their ranking for shooting accuracy has gone from 19th to fifth. Forest have averaged six shots on target per game, which is the most in the Premier League, along with Tottenham and Manchester City. For goals conceded (two), they are ranked third, in comparison to 15th last season.
It is a small sample but Forest just look better.
On Sunday, they will head, with confidence, to face a strong Brighton & Hove Albion side. Their belief comes from preparation, a detailed plan and an undefeated start to the Premier League season.
(Top photo: Nuno Espirito Santo by David Rogers via Getty Images)
