Nottingham Forest are undoubtedly this season’s shock bundle.
No-one anticipated Nuno Espirito Santo’s aspect to be preventing 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.
Thus far this season, Forest’s gamers have averaged extra Premier League minutes individually than every other group – 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 capable of deploy most 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 motive why the Reds’ defensive file is so good little doubt.
Nonetheless, if any of that trio must be sidelined, Forest’s resilience might be severely examined.
On the different finish of the sphere, if 17-goal high scorer Wooden was to choose up a knock, who is able to substitute him? Winger Anthony Elanga has performed in all however one recreation and helped himself to eight assists. Is there anybody of enough high quality that might deputise for him?
Because the above chart reveals, 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 high 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 ebook. He has earned the proper to be trusted together 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.