Forest Fans Can Smile – It’s Not Over Yet!

An awe-inspiring victory for Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night, their first win in the Premier League since early February – and in some style, there is hope, the fight goes on, down to the wire.

The Starting XI:

Steve Cooper opted for two changes for Forest’s side to take on Champions League touted Brighton, with Remo Freuler & Scott McKenna (injured) being replaced by Serge Aurier, who just returned from Hamstring issues, and Brennan Johnson who makes his way back into the starting XI after being dropped the weekend before for the Liverpool game.

Setting up in, what was seen by myself as a 5-2-1-2, the Reds opted to have a strong defence, with Serge Aurier stepping up, unexpectedly, as a right-centre back, and Brennan Johnson up-top with Taiwo Awoniyi Mangala, Danilo & Gibbs-White the troops in the midfield. The change was well received by Forest fans, and in the end turned out to be a smart decision – once again, Steve Cooper tactically on point.

First Half:

The first half for Nottingham Forest was slightly apprehensive, albeit not necessarily negative, as Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton showcased why they are in contention for European football, adopting a silky-smooth, passing on the floor, style of football – with players such as Macallister, a recent World Cup winner, absolutely crucial to the style of play. Kick-off started with tiki-taka passes between two Brighton men, perhaps a show of confidence, of which showed through the majority of the first half – but even with the possession, Brighton weren’t perfect, and Forest started to get used to the style of play, and the Seagulls’ weaknesses.

Earlier on in the game, Forest got their first major chance at goal, as Pervis Estupinan brought down in-form Neco Williams, and a penalty was awarded in due course. On steps Brennan Johnson, who shoots right, and Jason Steele performs an excellent save to keep the game at a stalemate but hope is not lost.

Soon after, Mitoma’s incredible run down the right-wing leads to a ball into the middle, finding young star Enciso, who’s powerful shot is saved by the much-experienced loanee keeper, Keylor Navas, to deny a golden opportunity for the Seasiders.

However, Forest would eventually succumb to the pressure, as Solly March’s long-shot from the left-edge of the 18-yard box is saved by Navas, only to find the feet of Facundo Buonanotte, who scores his first goal in the Blue and White strip. Forest and Navas were devastated, but not defeated. (0-1).

It would seem all hope was lost before the half-time whistle as extra time played on, but somehow, Renan Lodi pulls out a shot from just before the 6-yard box, which deflects off a Brighton man, off the hands of Jason Steele, and into the top-left of the Brighton goal – Forest were level, and the fans were in dreamland – but a huge 45 minutes still left to play. (1-1).

The Second Half:

While the subtitle may not insinuate it, the second half was perhaps the best 45 minutes of football played by Nottingham Forest this season: a half of pure passion and desire – it was almost as if the mentality from the loss at Liverpool had not only carried over, but been amplified, a sight to be seen. Once again, Brighton dominated possession, but failed to use it well.

De Zerbi’s men found themselves in the best position to open the second half scoring tally, as Buonanotte broke on the counter down the right hand side, before squaring it across the edge of Forest’s box, only for Brighton star-man Kauro Mitoma to miss it, and place it just a yard of the right goalpost – the closest Brighton would come to making it a second.

Forest were the team to convert the next chance they had however, as Brazilian midfielder, and recent fan favourite, Danilo, has a superb run from the edge of the centre-circle in the 68th minute, before slicing the ball into the bottom-left hand corner of Jason Steele’s goal – proceeding to run, alongside an elated Morgan Gibbs-White, and his colleagues in red. The City Ground was awake once again – the atmosphere of last season revisited, it felt like a night on the promotion journey all over again. (2-1).

Now, with extra-time in play – ten minutes due to a horror-injury to Neco Williams – Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White places a corner into the penalty area, only for Lewis Dunk to strike it with his hand in the air: play went on for a moment, Jarred Gillet had no idea – VAR was then consulted, and a penalty gave. With Brennan Johnson replaced moments before by Harry Toffolo – in what we can assume to be a move to ‘sit-back’ and see out the game move – Gibbs-White found himself to be the designated penalty taker.

All was not over, and the game was still open for a Brighton comeback – but Morgan Gibbs-White’s tenacity wraps up the game, and takes three well-deserved points for Nottingham Forest – a welcome sight, after a long run of poor form. (3-1).

The Seagulls would come close to getting a second, and perhaps consolidatory goal, but VAR would rule it offside moments later.

Steve Cooper’s post-match thoughts:

“I don’t even know what the other results were tonight. I just think we’ve got to look after ourselves.”

“Like everybody, if you get the results that you need then things will take care of themselves with league positions. We managed to get the result tonight. I don’t know what that looks like league position wise, but it obviously won’t have done us any harm.

“But let’s try to improve it again on Saturday (at Brentford). That’s got to be the only thing we’re thinking about now.

“I’m delighted with the result. I’ve got loads of gratitude to the players for trusting the plan we put in place.

Cooper’s post-match conduct was intriguing – rather than showcase his excitement and pride at the result with his trademark fist-bumps to the fans, he instead opted for a calmer clap, and walk down the tunnel – a professional who knows that despite the win, the battle isn’t over, a job is still to be done, and to contain his feelings and using them to galvanise his players ahead of the final battles is brilliant to see. Steve Cooper wasn’t going to get carried away, not for one moment, and his comments further emphasise this.

My Post-match thoughts:

Despite the doubt, despite the disappointment with prior results, and despite the opponent, Forest did what most never thought they could, especially now: A) Beat an in-form Brighton B) Beat them by three goals.

From the moment the teams walked out, Cooper’s side, despite lacking time with the ball, and the odd mistake, seemed as though they knew exactly what their plan was, and as time went by, just became more sure of it, and how to execute it – applying the pressure on Lewis Dunk, Colwill & Steele in particular to try and force an error – one of which lead to a penalty, which could have set Forest up with an early lead. It did show that despite the miss, the game plan was working, Brighton had weaknesses, and Cooper’s men knew how to expose them.

Moving to a three in midfield was a bit of a nervy thing to come to terms with pre-match, the quality Brighton possess in the midfield with players like Enciso, a recent break-out talent, and Caicedo & Mac Allister, it’s difficult not to be nervous – but Mangala, Danilo & Gibbs-White put in the shift of their careers to break them down, apply the pressure, win back possession, and break on the counter-attack at every opportunity possible.

Something just seemed different about Forest this week, despite the negativity surrounding team mentality in the media, Cooper and his battle-ready team, showed just how resilient they are, and rather than defeats, recent games were seen as lessons, ones of which they learned from in swift fashion.

Also, Danilo’s gradual rise from a player with ‘potential’ to be a starter, to one of the first names on the team sheet is so excellent to see – there is still so much potential for him, but the quality he possesses already is a real joy to see, he will go far, and today was his best game wearing the Garibaldi red. A young boy from Sao Paulo with a Premier League dream – the sky the limit.

While the season isn’t defined by this moment, and results still need to improve, this is a huge lift – both for the team, and the fanbase – there is every reason to be optimistic, there is still hope, still reason to smile, believe.

My Man Of The Match:

I’ve already briefly aired my thoughts on Danilo’s performance, and do believe that he is much deserved of the Man of the Match award – a fantastic performance that showcased his ability to not only create chances, but to finish them – his first goal for the club, and a game-changing performance. His presence feels like one that Forest have needed all season, such enthusiasm, and a gleaming smile. Making the change from Brazilian football to the Premier League, the world’s biggest footballing platform, at such a young age, and given his journey, is just so magnificent to witness.

Player Ratings:

This week’s ratings are nice and positive – lots of high scores.

Navas – 7.5 – despite the mistake, which led to a goal, an excellent performance after that earns him this score.

Lodi – 7.5 – a goal and some good work down the left-hand side, making life difficult for Solly March & co.

Aurier – 7 – a new position for him, and a steady performance.

Felipe – 7.5 – another game, another solid performance from Felipe, consistency shows again.

Niakhate – N/A Due to injury and gametime – p.s, speedy recovery, Moussa!

Worrall – 8 – perhaps his best performance all season, Joe Worrall stepped up, and got the appreciation he deserves.

Williams – 7 – up until the injury, Williams was good, making some good tackles, and lofted balls down the right-hand side to feed the attacking play.

Kouyate – 6.5 – got himself involved, and made some good tackles, gametime a factor in the score.

Mangala – 7.5 – holds the ball well, and links up the play between the different areas of the pitch brilliantly, a good performance from the Belgian.

Danilo – 9 – best performance at Forest, created so many chances, and put himself in some excellent positions, MOTM.

Gibbs-White – 8.5 – another goal contribution for the Forest record-signing, a fantastic penalty, and brilliant performance – his mentality infectious.

Johnson – 7 – made some good runs down the right hand side, and came close on a couple occasions, decent showing.

*Two players didn’t feature with ratings (Ayew & Toffolo) due to lack of game time, but both made a positive impact when they came on, however, it would be unfair to grade them due to the small amount of time they were present*

Looking ahead: Brentford (a) Sat 29th April 2023 (15:00)

Even with this huge win, Nottingham Forest must once again overcome the challenge posed by a fantastic Thomas Frank Brentford side, who recently came off a huge win against tumbling London Giants, Chelsea, in a 2-0 victory away from home. The last time Brentford faced Forest was just before the World Cup break, where VAR seemed to keep them [Brentford] from missing out on points, with Forest looking the better side – but a completely different story, and a different challenge, at a different time – it will be a difficult game, but, again, with the right mentality, there is no reason Nottingham Forest can’t once again defy the odds, and take some much needed points. A huge game at the Gtech Community stadium awaits, and a huge three points at stake – potentially season defining.

Once again, points needed, and Forest with an opportunity to get some can they do it?

Thank you for reading this review from the Nottingham Forest vs Brentford game, as written by Jamie Martin.

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Have a great week, and I’ll see you soon.