The Nottingham Forest phenomenon: key reasons behind Nuno Espírito Santo's team's success


Last season was an anomaly in European football, with teams like Girona, Aston Villa, Bologna, and Brest making it to the Champions League. While the current season has been less sensational, one surprising story is emerging: Nottingham Forest's remarkable campaign.
Dailysports takes a closer look at the factors behind the incredible success of the “Tricky Trees.”
A stark contrast to last season
What Nottingham Forest is achieving this season is truly astonishing, as the numbers clearly show. Last season, the “Reds” collected just 32 points, finishing 17th, narrowly avoiding relegation. Now, only 22 rounds into the Premier League, Nottingham Forest has already earned 12 more points than the entirety of the previous campaign. Nuno Espírito Santo's team currently sits third in the table, trailing leaders Liverpool by just six points.
For context, in the 2015/16 season, Leicester City had the same 44 points after 22 games, and we all remember how Claudio Ranieri's legendary side finished that year.
If not for Liverpool’s stellar season, Nottingham Forest might very well be at the top of the Premier League.
The key to success: a solid defense
Given Nottingham Forest's roster, it’s unrealistic to expect goal-scoring fireworks. This team doesn’t rely on extensive passing, high pressing, or risky play. Forest plays pragmatically yet highly effectively.
Their approach was particularly evident in matches against Liverpool. Arne Slot’s side struggled to break down Forest’s deep defensive block. Whenever Liverpool advanced past the first third of the pitch, they were met with four to five Forest players aggressively contesting possession in the middle third.
Notably, Forest rarely won second balls after set-pieces. Instead, the coaching staff prioritized keeping players back to prevent Liverpool from launching dangerous counterattacks.
The results speak volumes: a 1-0 win at Anfield and a 1-1 draw at home. Nottingham Forest remains the only team to defeat Liverpool in the Premier League this season—a significant achievement.
The center-back pairing of Murillo and Nikola Milenković is especially vital. These two are indispensable for Nuno Espírito Santo, having started together in 21 of 22 matches. The potential loss of either player to injury could be disastrous.
Milenković, formerly of Fiorentina, provides strength and aerial dominance, while Murillo combines physicality with the ability to launch counterattacks with precise passing. Murillo's skillset has even attracted interest from Real Madrid.
The full-back positions are rotated between Ola Aina, Álex Moreno, and Neco Williams. Aina has started every match on the right flank, while Moreno and Williams alternate on the left.
Forest has conceded just 22 goals this season, a defensive record bettered only by Liverpool and Arsenal.
Success despite the management’s transfer policy
Greek billionaire Evangelos Marinakis, the club owner, has not exactly run a model transfer strategy. Nottingham Forest’s squad was essentially assembled from players who underperformed at previous clubs, in the hope they’d shine in new surroundings. This approach yielded little success until the pivotal decision to hire Nuno Espírito Santo.
The Portuguese coach first rescued Forest from relegation and then used the summer to mold a cohesive team from this eclectic group of players. His predecessor, Steve Cooper, failed to achieve such unity.
Even Nuno's appointment seemed risky initially, given his struggles at Tottenham and Al-Ittihad. But he’s proving that his success with Wolverhampton, a side he guided to European competition, was no fluke.
Marinakis continues his dual-club transfer policy, as he also owns Olympiacos. For instance, center-back David Carmo joined Forest from Porto for €11 million only to be loaned to Olympiacos.
Should Forest qualify for the Champions League, Marinakis’s ties to Olympiacos could pose a problem. UEFA rules prohibit two teams owned by the same individual from competing in the same tournament. However, precedents with Manchester City and Girona, or the Red Bull teams, suggest this may not be a significant obstacle.
Chris Wood: Nottingham’s Jamie Vardy
Nuno Espírito Santo’s tactical systems have always relied on a classic target man. At Wolverhampton, it was Raúl Jiménez; at Al-Ittihad, Karim Benzema; and at Nottingham Forest, it’s Chris Wood.
The 33-year-old New Zealander, not typically known as a prolific scorer, is having the best season of his career. Wood’s record of 14 goals in both the 2019/20 and 2023/24 seasons has already been matched this season, with 14 goals in just 22 matches. There’s little doubt he’ll surpass his previous best.
All of Wood’s goals this season have come from inside the penalty area, perfectly reflecting Forest’s simple but effective attacking strategy.
Wood’s importance to Nottingham Forest can be likened to Jamie Vardy’s role in Leicester’s historic title-winning season. Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi, previously the team’s main striker, has lost his starting spot to Wood.
Fast wingers driving the attack
Wood wouldn’t be as effective without the pace and power of Forest’s wingers. Anthony Elanga, deemed surplus at Manchester United, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, cast aside by Chelsea, have been revelations under Nuno Espírito Santo.
Given Forest’s reliance on a low block, their wingers are crucial for launching rapid counterattacks and creating chances. Elanga and Hudson-Odoi have excelled in these roles.
When the wingers fail to track back, midfielders Morgan Gibbs-White or Elliot Anderson step in to cover, maintaining the team’s defensive structure.
What lies ahead for Nottingham Forest?
Amazingly, Nottingham Forest has a genuine chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Even if they fail to secure a top-four finish, fifth place could suffice. Opta currently estimates a 96.7% probability that five English teams will compete in Europe’s premier club competition next season.
Forest’s chances are bolstered by Manchester City’s prolonged crisis, Chelsea’s recent struggles, and the complete collapse of Tottenham and Manchester United.
Nottingham Forest is a club steeped in history, having won the European Cup twice in succession. However, their last European campaign was in 1995/96, where they were eliminated by Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup quarterfinals.
Now, there’s little doubt that Forest will return to European football in the 2025/26 season. The only question is which tournament they’ll play in. If the team’s key players avoid serious injuries, the dream of the Champions League could very well become a reality.














