Nottingham Forest are undoubtedly this season’s shock package deal.
No-one anticipated Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect to be combating for the Champions League locations, however midway via February, they’re within the thick of the race.
However, do issues lurk across the nook?
Tuesday’s going-the-distance FA Cup tie at Exeter Metropolis uncovered the constraints of Nuno’s second-string, with key gamers Matz Sels, Morgan Gibbs-White, Chris Wooden and Elliott Anderson amongst these summoned from the bench to carry out a rescue act.
Up to now this season, Forest’s gamers have averaged extra Premier League minutes individually than another staff – and Nuno has solely wanted to make use of 26 gamers.
That hints at luck with accidents – and it’s true that the likes of (who would usually be anticipated to be within the top-four hunt) have suffered wildly on that entrance.
True, Danilo was dominated out on the opening day with a major ankle damage and has solely simply returned. However past that, Nuno has been in a position to deploy lots of the identical gamers each week – and that consistency has borne out in outcomes.
Certainly, in Sels and defenders Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, Forest have 4 gamers with greater than 2,000 league minutes this season. Solely have as many.
A key purpose why the Reds’ defensive file is so good little doubt.
Nevertheless, if any of that trio must be sidelined, Forest’s resilience can be severely examined.
On the different finish of the sphere, if 17-goal prime scorer Wooden was to select up a knock, who is able to change him? Winger Anthony Elanga has performed in all however one recreation and helped himself to eight assists. Is there anybody of ample high quality that would deputise for him?
Because the above chart exhibits, Forest have used the fewest variety of gamers of all Premier League golf equipment this season (23). That doesn’t essentially imply success on the prime of the desk however it’s fascinating to notice 4 of the highest six have used fewer gamers than anybody else – bar . ()
Nuno will know the power of his back-ups – and but he didn’t panic in January by opening the cheque guide. He has earned the fitting to be trusted along with his judgement.
However as video games in opposition to top-four rivals and loom on the horizon – to not point out a promising FA Cup run – it is going to be fascinating to see how successfully the Forest boss can shuffle his pack to maintain the Reds afloat in each competitions.
