Yahoo News Grounded Nuno can be the key to Evangelos Marinakis' big Nottingham Forest ambition
From the moment he arrived at Nottingham Forest, Evangelos Marinakis set out his goal to bring back “the glory days”.
“We want to rekindle Forest’s past success,” said the Greek after taking over the club in May 2017. More than seven years on, nothing has changed. If anything, it appears extra fuel has been added to Marinakis’ ambition.
In an interview with the BBC this week, he talked about the Reds one day being back in Europe. And of one day playing at a 50,000 capacity City Ground. There is no doubt he has big dreams. And as the man himself said, why not? If any club know about achieving a miracle, it is Forest - the home of the Miracle Men.
Marinakis’ comments came on the 20th anniversary of Brian Clough’s death. The Reds continue to be inspired by their past but are also driven by their aims for the future.
“When you work for Forest, the difference is what you see - and how great Brian was,” head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said on Friday lunchtime. “He made history that is very hard to repeat.
“At the same time, it was a dream - it is there, it was proven what is possible. We have to dedicate ourselves so much to honour his memory.
“When you look back and you see Forest made something great, you have the ambition to repeat it, that can guide you and feed you, but it doesn’t change you - we are very proud to be at Forest, but what Brian Clough did is very difficult to achieve. Everyone’s aware times are different - it’s huge, so let’s keep our feet on the ground.”
Nuno is right, of course. Times are different. But Forest are already proving some of their doubters wrong with their early season form.
Some pundits had the Reds down for another campaign battling relegation, but on the evidence seen so far, they have the potential to push for more than that in the Premier League.
The squad has been bolstered by some excellent signings, with some having already made an impact and others still yet to really show what they can do as they focus first on finding their feet. The strength in depth is there, as shown by last weekend’s win at Liverpool when Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi combined from off the bench to score the only goal of the game.
Nuno would like to have everybody available, of course. But while being without long-term absentees Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare, plus Willy Boly, is a blow, Forest do have the resources to cope.
Moreover, in Nuno they have a head coach who is clearly putting his mark on the team. Having a pre-season to work with the players has been hugely beneficial and the group is undoubtedly buying into what he is trying to do. Results like the one at Anfield will only strengthen their conviction.
Nuno is not one for getting caught up in any hype, though. His message ahead of Sunday’s clash at Brighton and Hove Albion (2pm kick-off) was very clear - Forest must go again.
Is the owner right? Can the Reds one day find themselves back in Europe?
“All these things are great; expectations and ambitions, we are part of it. But the best way, I believe, is to focus on the present,” the Portuguese stressed. “This way, you create a better future. It is as simple as that.”
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But can he see why fans are getting just a little bit excited about what might be possible? About why there is a sense this could be a special season?
“Let’s enjoy the moment,” Nuno smiled. “Of course it’s a good moment. We are doing well and performing well. We can see a team that fights and works hard. But there are so many aspects that can change the momentum and the mood.
“Are we going to change our philosophy because we did that (beat Liverpool)? No, we are going to keep doing the same things so we can repeat them.
“Getting results helps a lot. It makes a big difference, especially to the confidence of the players because they are the ones who go out there and do the job.”
Marinakis and Reds fans have every right to dream big. Not so long ago, they were dreaming of just being back in the Premier League. Progressing up the table is the next step. In Nuno, they have a calm head to steer the way.
