Rising Above Expectations: Nottingham Forest Sets Sights on Success

Nottingham Forest have exceeded all expectations by securing their highest Premier League position in 26 years, despite enduring a challenging and tumultuous season. Currently sitting in third place in the league standings, the team has achieved this feat after securing three consecutive top-flight victories, a milestone not seen since 1999. The last time Forest found themselves in such a high position in the Premier League was back in August 1998, when they defeated Southampton 2-1 under the management of Dave Bassett. Nuno Espirito Santo's squad has managed to hand league leaders Liverpool their only defeat of the season so far, placing them ahead of traditional powerhouses such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United. With an upcoming clash against Newcastle on Sunday, Forest are looking to continue their impressive run and further solidify their place among the top teams in the league. This remarkable achievement serves as a testament to the hard work and dedication of the players and coaching staff, as they strive for even greater success in the seasons to come.

The two-time European Cup winners might not be quite ready to recapture the golden days of Brian Clough's reign.

But Forest's lofty position is a welcome sign of progress after last season's relegation battle.

A deduction of four points in March following a breach of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules left Forest in grave danger of dropping into the Championship.

The anxiety at the City Ground boiled over after a contentious loss at Everton in April, when the club's social media account accused VAR official Stuart Attwell of favouring relegation rivals Luton.

Forest eventually avoided the drop and have made the most of their reprieve.

New Zealand striker Chris Wood has been key to Forest's charge up the table.

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The 32-year-old, voted the Premier League player of the month for October, has scored eight of Forest's 14 top-flight goals this season.

Wood has netted 22 times in 30 league starts since making his move from Newcastle permanent in June 2023.

Forest have also proved formidable at the other end of the pitch, with goalkeeper Matz Sels amassing the joint-most clean-sheets in the top-flight this season.

Nikola Milenkovic's pre-season arrival from Fiorentina has helped stabilise the Forest defence in a solid centre-back partnership with Brazilian Murillo.

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Nuno is the architect of Forest's surge, silencing the doubters who questioned his arrival to replace the sacked Steve Cooper in December.

'The ambition to grow'

He lasted just 17 games at Tottenham before being dismissed in 2021, while his largely successful four-year reign at Wolves also finished on a sour note.

The meticulous Portuguese coach returned to the Premier League after winning the Saudi Pro League with Al-Ittihad and has proved a shrewd appointment.

Significantly, Nuno has handled Forest's volatile and demanding owner Evangelos Marinakis, who is currently in the midst of a five-game ban for spitting towards officials after a loss against Fulham in September.

"Starting from the owner, the ambition to grow and improve the club makes us all aware that we have to give our best," said Nuno.

"Ambition is good. Demanding is good. But we cannot get away from our track, so I insist we have to remain humble and realise we haven't achieved anything. I don't just say that, it is the truth."

That ambition is exemplified by the imminent arrival of Edu, who quit as Arsenal's sporting director this week for a new role heading up Marinakis' stable of clubs, which also includes Greek giants Olympiacos.

While Nuno is keen to keep Forest from resting on their laurels, the long-suffering City Ground faithful are starting to dream of appearing in European competition for the first time since 1995-96.

Forest's win at Anfield and a draw against Chelsea suggest they are capable of holding their own against the big guns.

But the acid test of their renaissance lies in wait, with trips to Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United, as well as home games against Aston Villa and Tottenham, all scheduled before the turn of the year.

Ever the perfectionist, Nuno is demanding even more from his players regardless of the opponent.

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"We have to recognise there are a lot of mistakes being made that we have to correct, so the ambition is that. Keeping on track is what we have to do," he said.

(This story has not been edited by staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)