Nuno Espirito Santo has tempered Champions League expectations for Nottingham Forest after they moved up to fourth with their win over Brentford last Saturday.
Goals in either half from Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga ended the Bees’ unbeaten run at the Gtech Community Stadium this season.
Forest have now won more away games in the Premier League this season (five) than they did in 2022-23 and 2023-24 combined, while only in 1994-95 (10) did they win more away games in the top-flight campaign.
They have 31 points from 17 league games this term (W9 D4 L4). It is the first time they have scored 30+ points in a top-flight season since finishing third in 1987-88 (14th game).
Even more impressive is that their points haul this season is just one shy of what they managed in the 2023-24 campaign when they finished 17th.
The Opta supercomputer gives Nuno’s side a 4.6% chance of finishing in the top four at the end of the season, although the Forest boss insists there is still room for improvement.
“I am always confident. Since the beginning of last season, I have always been confident that good work, dedication and commitment can achieve good results,” said Nuno.
“I’m very proud of the way the players are working every day and with humility – and recognize that we have a lot to improve and a long way to go.”
Nuno’s next encounter is against former team Tottenham at the City Ground on Boxing Day.
Having won six of seven Premier League meetings with Tottenham between 1993 and 1997, Forest have now lost each of their last six against them.
But they will be confident of inflicting more misery on Ange Postecoglou, having won each of their last three Premier League matches, most recently winning four in a row in the top-flight between April and May 1995.
Nuno has, however, overseen an overhaul of the players during his time in charge of the East Midlands, with 11 new faces arriving at the City Ground ahead of this season.
But Nuno was reserved when asked if further additions would be welcome in January, saying: “To be honest, we have two games left. [before the window opens].
“That’s what we’re focusing on. Of course, there is work to be done, but at the right moment, we will do it. But now the focus is on Spurs and how well we can compete again.”
