Liverpool have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season, but the identity of the team with the second-best defence is a shock to the uninitiated. Many would expect it to be Manchester City or Arsenal but Nottingham Forest, who conceded the joint-fifth-most goals (67) in England’s top tier last term, have shipped only seven times in the opening nine games.
The addition of Nikola Milenkovic has been key to their resolve but Nuno Espírito Santo deserves credit for the structure that has enabled Forest to make a solid start. With the defence tightening significantly, it was crucial that the attack wasn’t sacrificed for an improved backline.
In the opening weeks, Nuno appears to have struck the right balance. Although Forest have scored only 11 league goals – only six teams have scored fewer – the 4-2-3-1 system gets the most out of the centre-forward at the Portuguese’s disposal.
Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi are the nippy wingers to keep opposition full-backs occupied, while Elliot Anderson has proven a fine capture and the perfect cover and competition for Morgan Gibbs-White. It is an ideal setup for Chris Wood, who scored his seventh league goal of the season in Friday’s 3-1 win at his former employers Leicester.
When Forest get the ball forward they do so quickly, and crucially they have a frontman who is proving incredibly consistent in the opposition penalty area. Wood’s 25 touches in the opposition box ranks 61st in the top flight, and is fewer than the Leicester central midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (26) and Crystal Palace wing-back Daniel Muñoz (29), but it is where he comes alive.
An issue could be keeping Wood fit, after spells on the sidelines in the past two seasons owing to a hamstring injuries. Forest failed to strengthen in attack over the summer and another muscle injury for Wood could prove costly.
A barrelling focal point is vital for Nuno’s counterattacking side and the New Zealander is ensuring the lightning-quick players around him are able to see the wood from the trees at Forest. He has scored 63.6% of the team’s league goals to underpin a start few thought possible after the flirtation with relegation last term.
Credit : www.theguardian.com
