Since Nuno Espírito Santo’s appointment on December 20, 2023, Nottingham Forest have picked up ten points in eight Premier League games. As well as this, he has steered the Reds into the fifth round of the FA Cup, thanks to replay wins against Blackpool and Bristol City.
Statistically, Forest have significantly improved under the Portuguese manager, particularly in terms of the attacking numbers. A comparison with Nuno’s stats compared to Steve Cooper’s 17 Premier League games in charge this season helps to show the main changes between the two.
A Closer Look at the Management of Nuno Espírito Santo at Nottingham Forest
The main change overseen by the new coach has been the increased goal threat. In the 17 matches that Cooper managed this term, Forest averaged exactly one goal per game, mirroring the 2022/23 season when they scored 38 goals across the campaign.
Under Nuno, the Reds have netted 15 times in eight league contests, averaging 1.9 strikes per game. This has included a 3-1 away win at Newcastle United, as well as a 2-1 victory against Manchester United at the City Ground.
Scoring goals has been a problem for the East Midlands club since gaining promotion back in 2022. In fact, five of the nine wins achieved last term were by a 1-0 scoreline.
The transformation of the attacking output has been a major change under the new management and will be key to the Reds’ survival hopes.
A Consistent Formation
A key reason for the improved attacking numbers has been a couple of minor tactical tweaks. Nuno has reinstated Morgan Gibbs-White as a central number ten in a 4-2-3-1 formation. While this doesn’t sound revolutionary, Gibbs-White was largely deployed in a wide-right role under Cooper earlier this season, which coincided with a dip in form and a lack of consistency. The Englishman has been central to Forest’s creativity in recent weeks, returning to the form which saw him score five goals and register eight assists in the 2022/23 campaign.
Former “wonderkid” Callum Hudson-Odoi has been a consistent starter under Nuno and has rewarded his manager with his best spell since his Chelsea days. The left-winger has scored in each of his last three starts, as well as an assist for Chris Wood against Brentford.