Nottingham Forest have perfect template to follow as Nuno weighs up big Brighton decisions
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo’s game plan worked to perfection last weekend as Nottingham Forest secured a momentous 1-0 win at Liverpool.
The challenge for the Portuguese is to do it all again as the Reds look to maintain their unbeaten start to the Premier League season. He certainly has a few decisions to ponder where his team selection is concerned.
Nuno packed the middle of the park at Anfield as he focused on strangling the hosts’ threat. Should he go with the same again for Sunday’s clash at Brighton and Hove Albion (2pm kick-off)?
"We started with Elliot (Anderson) and Nico (Dominguez) playing wide. With the defensive tasks they had to do, dealing with the inside runs of the full-backs, it was impossible for them to last the game,” Nuno said of his strategy on Merseyside. "We knew we had to make subs. The subs came in and made an impact, which is good.”
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga came off the bench and made a difference, with the latter setting up his teammate for the only goal of the game. But both will be eager to be back in the starting XI on the south coast.
Brighton have also started the campaign in fine form and will pose a tough challenge. Ipswich Town proved it is possible to frustrate them, though, and no doubt Nuno will study how last weekend’s 0-0 draw between the sides panned out.
The Seagulls had most of the possession in that stalemate but their opponents stood firm to keep them at bay. Nuno must weigh up whether retaining Anderson and Dominguez in the same roles as last week, then introducing the energy of Hudson-Odoi and Elanga later on, is the right way to go.
Of course, he could start Hudson-Odoi and Elanga but mix up his midfield. Ryan Yates and James Ward-Prowse were tasked with providing a shield for the defence last time out.
“The mid block was so good. For the most part, it was best-practice in how to defend in the middle of the pitch,” Yates said afterwards.
Ward-Prowse definitely impressed on his debut and seems likely to have cemented his place in the team. Anderson, too, is all-but undroppable a few games into the campaign. If Nuno decides to field his out-and-out wingers from the off, perhaps he will consider if those two can work together as a midfield partnership. Ward-Prowse didn’t really get a proper chance to show off his set-piece skills at Anfield but they can be a very useful weapon as the season progresses.
READ MORE: Nottingham Forest make big contract decision just four matches after deal agreed
READ MORE: Agent discusses bumper Murillo price tag as Nottingham Forest transfer prediction made
Last weekend also saw a first Premier League appearance for the Reds for Alex Moreno. The Aston Villa loanee’s inclusion in the side meant Ola Aina switched to the right and Neco Williams had to settle for a cameo role against his former club.
It would be a surprise if Nuno considered changing his back four for Sunday - not after a magnificent clean-sheet. If Willy Boly is fit, the head coach might weigh up whether to switch formation and start with three at the back. But the old don’t fix what isn’t broken argument is surely a strong one.
Predicted Forest XI: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Ward-Prowse, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.