Duo could make the difference in trip to hatters
THERE is no getting away from just how big tomorrow’s away game againstt Luton Town is for Nottingham Forest.
Sooner rather than later, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side need a turning point in their fight for survival. And if they can make their trip to Kenilworth Road fit the bill, that would do nicely.
It is a six-pointer this weekend. As it stands, the Hatters are a place and three points below the Reds in the Premier League table – although Forest do have the threat of a potential points deduction still hanging over them.
At the same stage last term, with 10 games to go, the Reds went to Leeds United. They were beaten 2-1 at Elland Road that night and the situation appeared bleak. Defeats to Aston Villa, Manchester United and Liverpool followed.
However, a positive performance against the latter sparked something. It marked a shift. Forest used it as a platform, went on a run and picked up 11 points from their final six games of the campaign.
They need to find a springboard again. They need to find some momentum.
As was the case against Leeds 12 months ago, it won’t be season over if Nuno’s men do not come away with a result against Luton. But it would make their task more difficult and would mean they will need to dig deep into their reserves of belief – particularly if they do not play to their potential.
This is a different set-up to last term, of course, although some of the key components still remain. The likes of Taiwo Awoniyi, Ryan Yates, Morgan Gibbs-white, Neco Williams, Felipe, Moussa Niakhate, Danilo, Harry Toffolo and Cheikhou Kouyate should have some muscle memory to call upon. They have been there and done it; they know what it takes to stay up.
But the players who were not at the City Ground this time last year will also have a significant part to play – not least the duo of Callum Hudson-odoi and Anthony Elanga. Both found themselves on the bench at Brighton last weekend but it would be a surprise if the same happens tomorrow.
Nuno had a plan at the Amex Stadium. It didn’t quite come off but he hinted with more options at his disposal – with players returning from injury – he wouldn’t be afraid to mix things up again in the future.
He wanted to establish a foothold in the game before turning to the pace of Elanga and Hudson-odoi at the “right moment”. In a big clash such as tomorrow’s, though, the duo could make a huge difference from the start.
Elanga has five goals and seven assists to his name this term. Hudson-odoi has four goals and one assist. Both have shown how important they can be.
Forest have looked dangerous, caused teams problems and had a fair bit of joy on the counter-attack under Nuno.
They will need to play to their strengths in the remaining games.