Nottingham Forest news: Opinion – Fan writer on success this season

One of Nottingham Forest’s biggest problems in recent years has been not knowing their best starting XI.

Of course, that was largely down to the well-documented amount of signings the club made after coming up from the Championship.

That promotion-winning season had a fairly predictable starting XI, with only the occasional injury or tactical tweak changing the line-up. Ryan Yates is now the sole survivor of that entire play-off final squad.

Loan signings were a key part of that team, which explains much of the rebuilding job that has been done since, but the advantage Nuno Espirito Santo has had this season is that the core of his current squad are not all new arrivals.

The key additions of Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson last summer were the final jigsaw pieces of a well-rounded side.

Forest have been extremely fortunate with injuries this season, although this is down to lessons being learned from previous years. The fitness and conditioning staff that have been put in place are absolutely proving their worth.

Plus, Nuno’s focus on working with a smaller squad has been made possible by a natural reduction due to expiring contracts and the end of loan deals.

All of this has meant the Reds’ line-up for most of this season has been fairly settled. Partnerships have formed and understandings have developed, with confidence and belief growing from that consistency.

That is why this well-drilled team, as we saw on Saturday, were able to nullify current Premier League champions Manchester City – as well as Arsenal and other opponents – with a game plan that shifted in formation throughout the 90 minutes.

Forest’s success this season is very simple on paper – we have a team of talented individuals who complement each other and know how to perform their roles to a tee, plus a manager playing to their strengths and personalities.

Not everything works out in reality, but could it be that the stars are aligning – the two on the crest specifically – for this great club to take its place at Europe’s top table again?

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club