Alious
As Nottingham Forest prepare for their high-stakes encounter with Newcastle United at the City Ground, manager Nuno Espirito Santo is exemplifying a masterclass in measured leadership, despite the club’s remarkable ascent to third place in the Premier League. The Portuguese tactician, fresh from claiming the Manager of the Month accolade alongside Chris Wood’s Player of the Month recognition, remains steadfastly focused on the immediate challenge ahead.
Forest’s impressive campaign thus far – accumulating 19 points with just a single defeat in their opening ten fixtures – has set the City Ground buzzing with anticipation. However, Nuno’s philosophy remains rooted in the present moment, as he emphasized during his pre-match press conference: “My ambition is tomorrow, honestly. I’m not just saying, I truly believe that and I also truly believe that the players think the same way.”
The manager’s unwavering commitment to maintaining focus resonates through his careful choice of words: “We cannot get distracted, nothing can distract us. The focus is on the pitch.” While acknowledging the value of recent accolades, Nuno skillfully redirected attention to the importance of consistency: “Compliments and players having the recognition is good but it’s also the moment to stay on track.”
His repeated emphasis on the upcoming fixture – “Newcastle, Newcastle” – underscores the single-minded determination that has characterized Forest’s approach this season. This focus will be particularly crucial as they navigate their squad situation: while James Ward-Prowse returns after missing the West Ham clash, the team must still cope with the absence of key midfielders Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare through injury.
Nevertheless, Nuno exudes confidence in his squad’s depth and current form. “When you have players available in good momentum, working good, helping the team, it becomes easier because you have more options, more solutions,” he reflected. His trust extends beyond the starting eleven, emphasizing the collective strength of his squad: “We know that the game is not only who starts. We have immense trust and confidence in all the players of the squad.”
The electricity at the City Ground, which Nuno acknowledged with evident satisfaction, reflects the growing belief surrounding this Forest side. Yet, true to his philosophy, the manager’s message remains clear – yesterday’s achievements count for nothing without continued application: “What we’ve done doesn’t mean anything if we don’t do it again on Sunday against Newcastle.”
This blend of immediate focus and squad rotation management exemplifies the careful balance Nuno has struck in shepherding Forest to their current heights, setting the stage for what promises to be an compelling encounter with Newcastle United.
Alious
