Nottingham Forest need to go back to basics, says manager Nuno Espirito Santo

LONDON – Just two weeks ago, Nottingham Forest were pushed into the conversation about being English Premier League title contenders, but a sobering 5-0 defeat by Bournemouth on Jan 25 has refocused the surprise package’s outlook.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s Forest may have had some sort of reality check in trying to restore the club to the glory days of the late 70s, but the season has still been a remarkable one for a side who finished just outside the relegation places last season.

Their eight-game unbeaten run in the league may have been ended by the Cherries at the Vitality Stadium, but they remain third in the standings on 44 points ahead of Brighton & Hove Albion’s visit to the City Ground on Feb 1.

Nuno now needs to lift his side again, as they try to keep a tight grip on their bid for Champions League qualification.

“So many things to improve. Big challenge ahead of us,” he told a press conference on Jan 31.

When asked how he would pick up the two-time European Cup champions, the 51-year-old Portuguese said: “We have to react, it’s obvious after a bad performance. We were not accurate, we missed a lot of passes.

“There is no other way – we have to react, perform better, we have to be a better team.

“It’s just back to the basics, back to the things we do well, recognising our strengths and our weaknesses and try to perform better because it was a bad performance. We have to be solid, we have to play better football.”

They probably would have to, as their visitors themselves are licking their wounds following a stunning 1-0 defeat by Everton on Jan 25, which ended their six-game unbeaten run.

Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler is also wary of Forest’s exploits in the league this season, especially at the City Ground where Forest have won six of their last eight Premier League home games (D1, L1).

“There is always one team that surprises everyone – this season it is Nottingham Forest,” he said on Jan 30.

“You see their individual quality. They have a lot, players who have played a long time in the Premier League. For some experts, it’s not surprising... but they’re getting the results and are always finding a way to win games.”

The 31-year-old German will not have defender Pervis Estupinan, winger Solly March and midfielder Mats Wieffer available for the game, while Nuno said forward Callum Hudson-Odoi is out, though midfielders Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo are “ready” and have “joined the squad”.

With the transfer deadline on Feb 3 fast approaching, both managers remain coy on the possibilities of new arrivals, but pushing a deal through might be at the top of Everton manager David Moyes’ agenda after the Toffees were handed a double injury blow on Jan 31.

Everton, who are 16th in the standings after two straight wins under the Scot on his return, announced that midfielder Orel Mangala would miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, while striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin was sidelined with a hamstring injury. They next host 17th-placed Leicester City in the league on Feb 1.

Over at Tyneside, Paraguay international Miguel Almiron returned to Major League Soccer side Atlanta United for an undisclosed fee, after six years at Newcastle United, both clubs said on Jan 30.

He scored 30 goals and registered 12 assists from 223 appearances for the Magpies, and played a key role in Eddie Howe’s side finishing fourth in the 2022-23 Premier League season.

“I want to thank Miggy for everything he has given us during our time together. He has been the ultimate professional, and he has been a big part of some of our most memorable moments in recent seasons,” Howe said in a statement on Jan 30.

“He is a great person and we’ll miss him greatly, but this is the right move at the right time for him and his family and we wish them well.”