Are Nottingham Forest true Premier League contenders?

They’re only nine points off leaders Liverpool. With 14 games remaining, many still wonder if Forest is a contender or a pretender.

Their consistent goal-scoring, defensive presence and management prove that the Reds can seriously push for the title.

Forest, like Liverpool and Manchester City, have a dependable goal scorer necessary to compete at the top of the table. Striker Chris Wood has 17 goals this season, including a hat trick Saturday.

Wood is an old-school center forward who relies on his height and positioning to score goals. Forest plays to his strengths as a relatively direct team that presses hard and counters quickly. The side has only been held scoreless four times this season.

With Arsenal struggling to depend on a true striker, Forest’s consistent approach could be the difference as the season wanes.

Furthermore, the old adage of “defense wins championships” rings true in the Premier League. Teams towards the top of the league are usually top in shutouts as well.

Forest’s defense is outstanding this season. The team leads the Premier League in shutouts with 10 in 24 games. The center back pairing of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic proves a brilliant piece of recruitment.

Perhaps the team’s standout performer is goalkeeper Matz Sels. Brought into the club last January, he and Forest hobbled to a 17th-place finish, one spot above the relegation zone.

Sels is flying this season, literally. His save percentage is over 75 percent, the best in the Premier League for any goalkeeper playing more than seven games.

Despite the lopsided scoreline, he had to make a few stellar saves in Saturday’s win, including a fingertip touch onto the crossbar from Brighton’s Danny Welbeck.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo deserves massive credit as well. He came to Forest in December of 2023, got the club to safety and never looked back. He’s an experienced Premier League manager who is getting the best out of formerly-forgotten players.

Under Nuno, Anthony Elanga shines as a playmaker in ways he never did at Manchester United. He had three assists Saturday and leads the team for the season with six.

Morgan Gibbs-White, who played under Nuno at Wolverhampton Wanderers earlier in his career, is now a mature, hardworking captain. Scoring on what was his 100th appearance for Forest Saturday, he now has scored at least five goals in every season with the club. 

Many discounted Forest after losing 5-0 to Bournemouth in its last game. The squad responded emphatically on Saturday, which is a testament to their competitive spirit and quality coaching.

When asked about his team’s championship-caliber response to adversity, Nuno kept his eyes on the prize, assuring the media,

“Next week, we’ll try it again.”