Alious
At a time when adaptability could be the key to securing a historic top-four finish, Nuno Espirito Santo’s unwavering tactical philosophy is beginning to hurt Nottingham Forest’s ambitions. Saturday’s 1-0 home loss to Everton served as a painful reminder that pragmatism has its limits, especially in a game that should have been winnable on paper.
The match at the City Ground featured the Premier League’s two lowest-ranked teams in terms of passes and possession, with both Forest and Everton averaging around 40% of the ball throughout the season. Yet, it was Everton who found the extra edge — controlling possession more effectively and walking away with three crucial points, while Forest were left to reflect on a wasted opportunity and a third-place spot that now feels increasingly precarious.
Forest’s undoing came via a late Abdoulaye Doucoure strike — the culmination of a costly Murillo error and a defensive lapse that David Moyes felt should’ve been prevented. But the problems ran deeper than just that decisive moment. From kickoff, Forest looked nervous and uninspired, offering little threat in the final third. The crowd sensed it too, as anxious energy permeated the ground, with Nuno himself admitting his overriding emotion afterward: *“Disappointed.”*
It wasn’t just the result that stung — it was the manner of the performance. Forest failed to capitalize on their home advantage or assert themselves against an Everton side many believe was there for the taking. That passivity has become a theme when facing evenly matched opposition, especially at home, where bolder tactics might have paid dividends.
Ironically, Nuno’s conservative approach has been largely responsible for Forest’s rise this season. A low-possession, counterattacking style has paid off against stronger sides — notably Manchester City — and even yielded a 2-0 win against Everton at Goodison Park earlier in the campaign. But this time, with a rare opportunity to push on in front of their own fans, the same rigid setup fell flat.
Saturday’s defeat snapped a nine-match unbeaten run at home and marked their first loss to a bottom-half team all season — a jarring reality check as the race for Champions League places intensifies. With upcoming fixtures against possession-averse teams like Brentford, Crystal Palace, Leicester, and West Ham, Forest face more sides who might look to replicate Everton’s blueprint.
The question now is whether Nuno is willing to adapt. His track record suggests otherwise. If he remains inflexible, Forest risk being overtaken by hungrier, deeper squads that are gathering steam below them. Champions League qualification is still within reach, but every dropped point tightens the race and leaves less margin for error.
As the season’s final stretch approaches — culminating in a showdown with Chelsea on May 25 — Forest must avoid slipping into a cycle of “what ifs.” The Europa League would still be a respectable consolation, but falling short from such a promising position would feel like a bitter letdown. For Nuno and Forest, the time to evolve may be now — or never.
Alious
