Forget inverting full-backs! Nottingham Forest deserve credit for sticking with a classic approach as they continue their league crusade, writes KIERAN GILL
Forget inverting full-backs! Nottingham Forest deserve credit for sticking with a classic approach as they continue their league crusade, writes KIERAN GILL
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While others try to imitate Manchester City, inverting this and that and passing as if bonus points are provided for most pings, Nottingham Forest are on their own Premier League crusade. They field defenders who delight in defending, midfielders who take joy in marauding, wingers who worry their men, and a striker who rewards this all with his ruthlessness. As one fan near the press box told us, this is ‘proper football’ we are watching. Hard to disagree after a 7-0 annihilation.
![[Nuno Espirito Santo's side continue to defy expectations as the 2024-25 season progresses]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/02/21/94781801-14352763-image-a-18_1738531357254.jpg)
In an era where so many are trying to reinvent the wheel, Forest deserve credit for remembering the classic approach can still get you to where you want to go. Right now, it has them on the road to the Champions League, which would be a beautiful sight to behold at the City Ground. It is no use trying to be fashionable if you cannot wear it well, after all, and Brighton were a walking advert for the weekend’s worst dressed under a modern manager in Fabian Hurzeler.
While Nuno Espirito Santo has his side working to their strengths, and that included him switching to a back three on this occasion, Hurzeler showed only the weaknesses in their contrasting style. Right up to the very end, the visitors were trying to pass their way out of the back, a futile mission which resulted in goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen gifting the ball to Forest substitute Jota Silva to score the hosts’ seventh of the afternoon in the 91st minute.
Nottingham Forest secured a dominant 7-0 victory over Brighton on Saturday afternoon. Nuno Espirito Santo's side continue to defy expectations as the 2024-25 season progresses. It was the perfect response to what had been a chastening 5-0 battering by Bournemouth the week before, when questions were asked as to whether this was the beginning of Forest’s downfall. Yet here, even in the absence of Callum Hudson-Odoi, still sidelined by a groin injury, they stood up with their front three leading the way at the City Ground.
Barcelona had the MSN. Real Madrid had the BBC. Paris Saint-Germain had the MNM. Forest could be competing with those clubs in the Champions League as of next season, with this obliteration of Brighton coming courtesy of the AMC. That is Anthony, Morgan and Chris, or Elanga, Gibbs-White and Wood as is stated on the backs of their shirts. Brighton saw those block capitals aplenty as they chased Forest’s front three in vain.
