Nottingham Forest's merry band of misfits: How the Premier League's big surprise team took unpopular players and manager from the rich... and the incredible stat behind 100/1 dream run
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Nottingham Forest looked more likely to get relegated from the Premier League this season than finish in the top half. Now they're in a title tilt. How?. They're a club with a proud history, having won two European Cups, but dark clouds have billowed over them this century.
![[Morgan Gibbs-White is one of the stars of the show (pictured with influencer girlfriend Britney De Villiers)]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/12/93908089-14265975-Morgan_Gibbs_White_is_one_of_the_stars_of_the_show_pictured_with-a-2_1736426824459.jpg)
They endured a painful 23-year exile from the top flight. In the last two seasons, they had to firefight against relegation and were regularly mocked for their wacky 'throw money at the wall, buy anyone that breathes' transfer strategy. Not now. Now their business looks shrewd - they've spent £4.7million per point earned this season, whereas Manchester United have squandered £46.7m. Now they're the talk of the town, chasing Champions League dreams and giving Liverpool and Arsenal a run for their money. Forest host Liverpool next Tuesday and could climb to within three points of the league leaders with a win.
![[Meanwhile, wing-back Ola Aina is proving his style on and off the pitch and is an investor in Sokito, a sustainable football boot brand]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/12/93908091-14265975-Meanwhile_wing_back_Ola_Aina_is_proving_his_style_on_and_off_the-a-3_1736426837883.jpg)
What makes it all the more fascinating is that they've become a sort of Robin Hood of the Premier League, pinching from the rich and giving to... well, themselves. They were handed odds of 100/1 to make the Champions League at the start of the season. Now they're in a strong position to qualify.
![[Manager Nuno Espirito Santo - the mastermind behind the unlikely rise - pictured with his interior designer wife Sandra]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/11/93908095-14265975-image-m-14_1736421934746.jpg)
Their manager and lots of their players tasted failure at the big clubs and had a point to prove when they arrived at Forest. Now, many of them are thriving while their grand old sides flounder. And they're enjoying life off the pitch just as much as on it.
![[He has brought back the feel-good factor for a team who many tipped to struggle at the start of the season]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/09/11/93908197-14265975-image-a-9_1736421780274.jpg)
