Retro Nottingham Forest closing in on European return

LONDON – There is something satisfyingly retro about Nottingham Forest’s pursuit of Champions League qualification – and not just because they are trying to recreate the glory days of the late 1970s.

In an age when possession and high pressing have become mantras for many English Premier League managers, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is bucking the trend spectacularly.

While some sides are easier on the eye, efficiency is his watchword. In their 28 league games, Forest average just 39.8 per cent possession – the lowest of the 20 clubs. They have made 9,355 passes, the lowest total in the top flight.

However, they have scored 45 goals, conceded just 33 and have 51 points. With 68.6 the average number of points required to finish fourth in the last five Premier League campaigns, Nuno’s men are within sight of a return to Europe’s top club competition for the first time in 45 years.

They face relegation-threatened Ipswich Town away on March 15, knowing victory would tighten their grip on third spot and sway a few more of the doubters who still believe Forest are going to stumble.

They will start as big favourites at Portman Road and with the same mentality that has served them so well.

“It doesn’t make sense to change our approach. We have been going game by game, day by day and training session by training session,” Nuno said on March 13.

“This is what we believe is the best way to approach every game until the end. But first, the big challenge is Ipswich.”

The Portuguese confirmed he has a fully fit squad to choose from aside from second-choice goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, adding: “It’s very good, it gives us options, solutions and having everyone available is just nice to see. There is nobody in the doctors. It’s a nice position to be in.”

Forest’s ultra-low defensive block is not a system for purists, but their fans do not care because it works wonders, as was shown in their last two games – a 0-0 draw with Arsenal and a 1-0 win over champions Manchester City.

“We did really well against difficult opponents,” Nuno said.

“One of our main focuses is to keep a clean sheet because it keeps us in the game and always gives our talented players a chance to score. That’s our priority and nothing changes.”

With so little possession the key is that, when Forest do win the ball, they spring forward at pace with Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi feeding striker Chris Wood, who has been one of the revelations of the season.

Wood, a throwback No. 9, has scored 18 league goals, and will be the man Ipswich must shackle if they are to avoid a dent in their survival hopes.

Third-from-bottom Ipswich are running out of time to save themselves from an immediate return to the Championship. They are six points behind 17th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers, who will be confident of beating bottom club Southampton away on March 15.

With Liverpool in League Cup final action on March 16, second-placed Arsenal can reduce the gap at the top to 12 points when they host fourth-placed Chelsea the same afternoon.

Chelsea are one of several clubs vying to qualify for next season’s Champions League, which is most likely to include the top five from this season’s Premier League.

Enzo Maresca’s team are two points behind Forest, but just seven points above 10th-placed Fulham who, along with Bournemouth and Brighton & Hove Albion, will believe they can qualify for Europe.

Brighton go to City on March 15, while Bournemouth entertain Brentford. Fulham are at home to Tottenham Hotspur on March 16. REUTERS