What FA Cup win says about Nuno's Nottingham Forest ahead of mouthwatering Liverpool showdown
There was an air of anticipation about the City Ground on Saturday as Nottingham Forest eased through to the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Ahead of the biggest game of their campaign so far, the Reds notched up as routine a victory as they will manage all season. It is seven in a row in all competitions for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side now, but the million-dollar question is whether they can make it eight.
It is the small matter of a meeting with Liverpool next up, on Tuesday night. And it is difficult not to look at Forest’s 2-0 triumph over Luton Town without the context of that Premier League showdown.
Not that Nuno was willing to cast his eyes that far ahead - even if it is only a matter of days. “I will be with you again before Tuesday so we will speak about it then,” he told reporters after the final whistle of his team’s third-round tie.
There was plenty for the Portuguese to be pleased about against the managerless Hatters, not the least of which being progress in a competition he holds dear and which means a lot to the club. Below, we look at some of the big talking points from this weekend’s win.
All change
Different starting XI, same end result. Nuno completely altered his line-up for Saturday’s game, but it mattered not a jot as his team sailed through to the next round.
Sure, Forest were not as fluid as they have been in the league of late. The same kind of connections were not there, which was no surprise given some of those selected have barely played at all let alone played together. But the hosts still put together some nice moments and were as solid and organised as ever. It was a professional performance and, as Nuno put it, a case of job done - effectively and efficiently, too.
Nuno’s decision to name a completely different team from Monday’s win away to Wolverhampton Wanderers should not be viewed as any kind of slight on the FA Cup. He was keen to stress that the match wasn’t about giving certain players an opportunity, but more so about “rewarding” them for their hard work and patience in waiting for minutes.
His team selection was a sign of the strength in depth in the dressing room. Moreover, the fact the hosts were as well-drilled as in any league fixture to date shows how the Forest boss has got his message across to the entire squad.
Who impressed?
Given how well things are going in the league, those who started against the Hatters might have their work cut out to force their way up the pecking order. But they are certainly pushing their teammates close, and that can only be a good thing.
Competition forces everyone to keep standards high. Several players, in particular, caught the eye on Saturday but all proved they can have a part to play in the coming months.
Ramon Sosa ended the afternoon with a goal and an assist. The Paraguayan is still finding his feet somewhat but continues to show flashes of what he has to offer. On the opposite flank, Jota Silva was his usual energetic self.
At the back, Morato was steady and composed - just as he has been whenever Nuno has called upon him. The Brazilian can seamlessly slot into Forest’s defence as and when required. Another shut-out means the Reds have still conceded only one goal (against Manchester City) when he has been on the pitch.
The rest of the defence did their jobs, too. Between the posts, Carlos Miguel had his feet up for most of the afternoon but was on hand to keep out the visitors when required.
The life of a No.2 goalkeeper is never easy but the summer signing looks a reliable deputy for Matz Sels. Nuno has said he will start every cup game, so it might prove to be that Miguel has some more testing outings ahead.
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Danilo’s return
“Dani,” came the shout with little more than five minutes to go. Danilo was warming up on the touchline when Nuno called him back.
And with that, the City Ground knew - the Brazilian was back! There was a crackle of excitement as well as a warm, fuzzy feeling about the place as it became clear the midfielder was about to make his comeback after 147 days on the sidelines with a broken ankle sustained on the opening day of the season.
Nuno gave him a hug and the entire stadium got to their feet when he replaced James Ward-Prowse in the 85th minute. The loudest roar of the afternoon was reserved for that moment. Thereafter, whenever Danilo touched the ball he got a huge cheer.
His chant had already rung out into the bitterly-cold January air and the club marked the occasion by playing “Gold” after the final whistle so supporters could sing along again. By then, the 23-year-old had embraced his teammates as well as members of Forest’s medical staff as he made his way off the pitch.
The Reds will continue to tread carefully with Danilo. It will take time for him to get back to being 100 percent, but it is still a boost to have him back. Nuno refers to his infectious smile, and the affection with which his comeback was met by his teammates shows how much he is liked within the dressing room.
There will soon be quite the selection dilemma in the centre of the pitch. Ward-Prowse was excellent against Luton and Ryan Yates was terrific. The latter had already rattled the bar before he opened the scoring with a header.
Nicolas Dominguez and Elliot Anderson are in possession of the shirts in the league at present but others, including Danilo in the coming weeks, will continue to breathe down their necks. Still, it is a nice problem for Nuno to have.
And so…
Onwards to Liverpool. The big one. A six-pointer, a tussle between title contenders - yes, we’re going there - a clash of the titans. Call it whatever you want, it is huge. And the City Ground cannot wait.
The sense of excitement was palpable on Saturday. Only a few minutes into the tie, the crowd began chanting about how the Reds “are coming” for Arne Slot’s team. The belief is there, and it is only growing by the day.
Forest go into Tuesday night with momentum maintained, their clean-sheet and winning run extended, and having come through Saturday without any injuries. Big-hitters such as Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo and Ola Aina were not even in the squad. Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson did not get off the bench, while Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Nicolas Dominguez only made cameo appearances.
This magical winning streak continued regardless. Everything is set up nicely for a mouthwatering midweek match-up on the banks of the Trent. It promises to be quite the night and quite the atmosphere, with the volume level sure to be cranked up to the max. It would take a brave soul to bet against Nuno’s men.
