Nottingham Forest’s return to basics proved successful as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town on Saturday, bouncing back from two consecutive defeats. The team’s focus on defensive stability paid off after conceding six goals in their previous two matches. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo emphasized the importance of tightening up at the back, and the Reds delivered a solid performance at the City Ground, ensuring goalkeeper Matz Sels was rarely called into action.
Defensively, Forest worked tirelessly to preserve their clean sheet, with the backline and midfield playing their part in keeping Ipswich at bay. While the team did allow some space in certain moments, especially after switching to a back three, they ultimately held firm. Going forward, the only concern for Nuno was the team’s inability to capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities when they had the chance. Despite Ipswich failing to create significant threats, the manager highlighted the need to be more ruthless in closing out games and breaking forward with speed.
At the other end of the pitch, Chris Wood’s penalty saw him join Bryan Roy as Forest’s joint-top Premier League scorer, with 24 goals in the competition. Jota Silva, who won the penalty, made an impressive impact in his first league start, and his contribution highlighted the depth of options available to Nuno. The Portuguese coach also pointed to the inclusion of Neco Williams, who replaced Alex Moreno in the starting XI, as further proof of his squad’s strength in depth.
After the final whistle, Nuno reflected on the team’s performance, stressing the importance of being hard to beat. “We spoke about going back to basics, and the basics are simple – let’s be solid,” he said. “Solid means being aggressive, sticking to your task, and supporting your teammates. Defensively, we were okay.”
He also acknowledged the team’s defensive efforts, noting that while the backline performed well, the midfield’s aggression was crucial. However, Nuno pointed out that the switch to a back three allowed Ipswich to gain a little more space, and although the opposition didn’t create many chances, the team failed to exploit the opportunities on the counterattack. He emphasized the importance of closing the game down properly, especially in the dying moments, and said, “Anything can happen if you don’t close the game. That was the only thing that worried me.”
On Wood’s achievement in becoming Forest’s joint-top scorer in the Premier League, Nuno expressed his delight. “We are so pleased. Not only here but in New Zealand, he is going to break all the records. Records are there to be broken, and we are delighted. He keeps delivering, and we’re thrilled.” When asked about Wood’s longevity in the game, Nuno was confident. “I believe he can keep going for many more years. Chris takes excellent care of himself – nutrition and rest are crucial. He’s very ambitious, and as long as he continues with his dedication, he’ll be fine.”
Nuno also praised Jota for his first league start, stating, “He started really well, with great energy. He helped push us up the pitch, won corners, and won us the penalty. He’s another option for us.” Although he noted that Ramon Sosa is still adjusting to the Premier League, he was optimistic about his development.
When asked about the decision to start Williams, Nuno emphasized the importance of squad depth. “It doesn’t really matter who starts as long as we have all the players available. Neco had a great spell with the national team, so he brought that momentum into the match. As long as we have this understanding, we’re going to be fine because we have a strong squad.”
In summary, Nottingham Forest’s victory over Ipswich Town was a result of their disciplined and solid defensive display, combined with effective contributions from key players like Chris Wood and Jota Silva. Nuno’s focus on returning to the fundamentals of solid play and team cohesion has set a positive tone as the Reds look to build on this performance in their up coming matches.