Christmas came a day late for Nottingham Forest fans as we were handed a Chris Wood miracle hat trick on Boxing Day to finally kick-start the Nuno era with a much-needed win.
The confidence flowed like gravy on a plump turkey and the fans went crackers at St James’ Park as Chris Wood took home the matchday ball and Forest collected all three valuable points.
The result and the Chris Wood hattrick seemed about as likely as an immaculate conception but the unexpected win will bring new vigour to a roaring City Ground this weekend when they play against Manchester United and a team of bribed VAR officials.
An Espírito of Hope
The unlikely result, away against a top side, will surely boost morale with a winning statement that will see out 2023 and usher in the new, Nuno era with an Espírito of hope.
Is this Nuno getting his ideas across with the new manager bounce, or would Wood have performed just as well under the guidance of Steve Cooper?
A phenomenal performance for the New Zealander reenergised the team and gifted us with hope and belief but, to be honest, the tactics were very courageous and it is unlikely that a Steve Cooper team was going to go to Newcastle and take all three points.
Forest had to be different on the day and they were. Two games and five goals later, there are signs of Nuno making his mark with refreshing, attacking football that takes chances and gets results.
Is Nuno finding the character of the team?
We have got to write off Bournemouth because Forest didn’t lose to Bournemouth, they lost to the referee. The ref’s Bournemouth scarf conveniently blew over his face as Willy Boly made a perfectly well-timed challenge for the ball and was subsequently met with a late tackle from Adam Smith.
However, despite the 3-2 defeat, we saw positives emerge from the game as this defeat became a springboard for things to come.
Nuno and Morgan
There was a different character in the style of play and one of the standout differences was Morgan-Gibbs playing in his natural position. There were rumours about the relationship between Nuno and Morgan but that has clearly been left in the Wolves dressing room. Nuno thanked Steve Cooper for developing Morgan and he has taken the liberty of harnessing the talents of a more mature MGW and reverted to playing him in that central attacking position.
In fact, Nuno looks as if he is playing to the strengths of the entire squad as he has managed to get a tune out of Chris Wood who has scored four in two games under the Portuguese coach.
Whether you are pro-Cooper or not, there has never been any doubt surrounding Morgan’s work rate, and it is now incandescent that he belongs in that CAM role.
In fact, if Elanga can get his decisions right, I’m sure the positive link-up play initiated by MGW and other creative players will bring Chris Wood more goals this season.
Prediction – Nottingham Forest 3 – Manchester United 2
Would I be accused of being too optimistic if I predicted a rare Forest victory against VARchester United? We’re Aston Villa and Newcastle having off-days when they played Forest?
Fortunately, the shape and the attacking intent was right on both occasions to exploit the weaknesses in both these those top teams. Likewise, Manchester United have also shown relative weaknesses in their performances, seeing the manager come up vehement criticism. If it wasn’t for a late transformation, Villa would’ve surely taken all three points in the game that saw them throw away a two-goal lead at home.
Well, it will certainly be an interesting game as there are recent changes at both clubs. Manchester United have had ownership alterations and they are an unpredictable team.
Forest are at home – and I want to put aside the negativity surrounding the recent home defeats – and the only thing we know for sure is that a suspended Ibrahim Sangaré won’t be playing and there will be another attack-minded approach to the game.
“We’re gonna score one more goal than you.”
Despite the vulnerability of playing a counter-attacking formation against a team full of world-class players, I think Forest will go for a win and score one more than a club full of tourists that are backed by astute marketing strategies in South East Asia.
I know a draw would be an acceptable result but I’m backing Nuno’s exciting style of play that could open us up when on the attack. But isn’t this exactly what we expect in the Premier League?
