Nottingham Forest didn’t start the season blowing teams away.
The Tricky Trees only recorded two wins from their opening seven Premier League matches.
They went on a decent run between October and November with three consecutive victories against Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Westham.
The losses in subsequent matches against Arsenal and Newcastle dampened the moral of the Tricky Trees.
However, the famous 3-2 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford in December put Nuno Espirito Santo’s men on an impressive run of form across all competitions.
Nottingham Forest have won six of their last seven Premier League matches which make them the most in-form team in the league arguably.
With Liverpool and Arsenal arguably, being the major contenders for the Premier League title this season, Nottingham Forest might just do what Leicester City did in 2016.
This post examines three reasons why we think Nottingham Forest can at least use one stone to kill a bird if not two – a Premier League title, a top four finish or both.
1. Consistent Squad Selection
Nuno Espirito Santo has repeated a consistent starting line-up since the victory against Manchester United in December.
There has been a little changes here and there but all the key players: Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, goalkeeper Matz Sels, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Murillo and Super Eagles right back Ola Aina have kept their starting shirt.
These group of players have played more than 70% of Nottingham Forest’s matches together so far and they have utilized their team chemistry to a great effect.
In addition, the Tricky Trees have enjoyed a clean bill of health. The players that make up the starting line-up on each matchday have been free from injury.
This has helped Nuno Espirito Santo to repeat the same set of players on matchdays with calculated squad rotation for balance nonetheless.
2. The Chris Wood Factor
The big man from New Zealand has been in imperious form since the start of the season.
Chris Wood goals is part of the reasons why the Tricky Trees are currently third on the Premier League log.
The 33-year-old nomadic striker has registered 14 goals in 22 Premier League matches this season.
Wood found the back of the net for the 14th time this season in Nottingham Forest 3-2 home win over Southampton on Sunday.
The striker is averaging at least one goal in every two-three matches.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Ola Aina, Anthony Elanga gave also been instrumental to Nottingham Forest running the league.
The quartet among other players in the squad have been consistent with their performances in matchdays.
3. The Last 10 Fixtures
Super Eagles striker Ola Aina has consistently maintained that Nottingham Forest are not carried away by their current form.
Instead, he and his teammates will take one game at a time till the season ends in May.
Nottingham Forest’s last 10 Premier League fixtures could see them go on a winning run based on their current form.
The Tricky Trees will play Manchester United, Everton, Brentford, Leicester City and Chelsea at home and Ipswich Town, Aston Villa, Tottenham, Crystal Palace and Westham United away from home.
Nottingham Forest can win all their home features and they also capable of taking maximum points in at least three of their away fixtures.
Injuries to key players and perhaps a poor run of form could deter Nuno Espirito Santo’s side form reaching their aim this season.
However, when push comes to shove Nottingham Forest could rely on the experience of likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, experienced midfielder James Ward-Prowse, Willy Boly, Alex Moreno among others to help the team.
