It has been a solid start to the new season for Nottingham Forest, given how they commenced the 2022/23 campaign upon promotion to the top flight.
Two wins out of four is actually commendable for a side that fought relegation for the majority of last term and survived. They could have had more points on the board had Nottingham Forest showed more resilience and discipline in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, considering they were 2-0 up inside four minutes at Old Trafford.
Nonetheless, Steve Cooper will be happy with his team’s overall performances across four games, particularly the hard-fought 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. With the international break now underway, it is perhaps the best time for Cooper to reflect on how his team have fared in the early weeks of the new campaign. Let us take a look at three things from their season so far.
- Awoniyi and Elanga building a strong partnership up front
Taiwo Awoniyi has started the season in great form, scoring goals against Arsenal, Sheffield United and Manchester United. Against Chelsea, he was chasing the Premier League record for the number of consecutive games he has scored in. But when that run ended in seven games, the Nigerian turned provider for Anthony Elanga’s goal at Stamford Bridge.
Elanga—the £15million summer signing from Manchester United, is already becoming a favourite among the fans due to his sheer work ethic and attitude. The Swedish forward seems to be settling in quite well at Forest, with his first goal couldn’t have been more memorable than the winner against Chelsea.
In the 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in the opening weekend, Awoniyi and Elanga had also combined well for Forest’s goal. Having come off the bench, Elanga picked a pass from Awoniyi from inside his own half on the left side and carried the ball with great speed, more than half of the length of the pitch, before releasing it to Awoniyi to score.
There is some partnership developing between Awoniyi and Elanga, and with a creative player in Morgan Gibbs-White behind them, Forest can become a deadly proposition on counter-attacks.
- Willy Boly crucial to Forest’s defensive set-up
Willy Boly has been among Forest’s star performers in the opening weeks of the 2023/24 season. In a back three alongside Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall, Boly has started all four of their games and delivered strong displays.
The Ivorian, most notably was excellent in the 1-0 win over Chelsea. Despite limping in the last 10 minutes of the game, he held firm at the back and made several clearances to ensure the three points and a clean sheet. The 32-year-old has also shown his prowess from set-pieces by scoring a header in Forest’s 3-2 defeat to Man United.
An experienced and committed defender, Forest must do everything possible to keep Boly fit for the majority of the campaign if they are to avoid another relegation dogfight.
- Nottingham Forest show they can scrap for points on their travels
Forest ended a run of nine matches without a victory against Chelsea with a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge before the international break, recording their first away win of the campaign – and therefore matching their record across the whole of 2022/23.
The Tricky Trees have finally shown that they can scrap for points on the road, taking pressure off their matches at the City Ground, where they won 30 of their 38 points last term. Sitting in a low block, defending resolutely and with numbers, Cooper’s side frustrated Chelsea before scoring on the break with their first shot on target, a tidy finish by substitute Anthony Elanga.
All of last season they managed just one away win—1-0 success over Southampton in January. So, this was such a priceless and mentally crucial three points for Cooper’s boys.