Nuno Espirito Santo has dampened Champions League expectations for Nottingham Forest after they rose to fourth place with their victory over Brentford last Saturday.
Goals in either half from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga ended the Bees' unbeaten record at the Gtech Community Stadium this season.
Forest have won as many away games in the Premier League this season (five) as they did in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons combined, while they only achieved more away wins in a top flight in 1994/95 (10). campaign.
They also have 31 points from their 17 league games this season (W9 D4 L4). It is the first time they have scored more than 30 points in a top-flight season since finishing third in 1987-88 (14th game).
What's even more impressive is that their points tally this season is just one step away from what they managed when they finished 17th in the 2023/2024 season.
The Opta supercomputer gives Nuno's side a 4.6% chance of finishing in the top four at the end of the season, although the Forest boss stressed there is still room for improvement.
“I am always confident. Since the start of last season, I have always been confident that good work, dedication and commitment can produce good results,” said Nuno.
“I am very proud of the players, with the way they work every day and remain humble. I realize that we still have a lot to improve and a long way to go.”
Next up for Nuno is a meeting against former Tottenham at the City Ground on Boxing Day.
After winning six of the seven Premier League meetings with Tottenham between 1993 and 1997, Forest have now lost each of their last six games against Tottenham.
But they will be confident of causing more misery for Ange Postecoglou, having won each of their last three Premier League games and winning the last four in a row in the top flight between April and May 1995.
However, Nuno has overseen an overhaul of players during his time at the helm in the East Midlands, with 11 new faces arriving at the City Ground next season.
But when asked if any more additions would be welcomed in January, Nuno was reserved, saying: “Honestly, we still have two games to go [before the window opens].
“This is what we are focused on. Of course there is work to be done, but at the right time we will do it. But right now the focus is on Spurs and how well we compete again.”
Comments