Nottingham Forest have made a very solid start to the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, with nine points from five games.
Intriguingly, the Reds haven’t won either of the two games played at the City Ground yet, drawing with Bournemouth and Wolves.
Away from home, things have been brilliant. Wins over Southampton and Liverpool were followed up with a credible point at Brighton on Sunday.
Forest return to home comforts this weekend when Fulham arrive on Trentside with the team looking to continue an unbeaten start to the campaign.
The Reds look to have got things on the right track under Nuno Espirito Santo and it already looks like the team can really kick on this season.
Which Premier League club Evangelos Marinakis wants Forest to be like
Before the game with Brighton, an article was produced by the brilliant Tom Collomosse of the Daily Mail – who lifted the lid on some behind-the-scenes Forest stuff.
One of the topics covered was Mariankis and it’s fair to say that during the time he’s been in charge of the club he’s learned from some previous mistakes.
It’s claimed in the latest report that Marinakis sees Aston Villa as the model with the West Midlands club qualifying for the Champions League last season.
They qualified for the Conference League four years after winning promotion from the Championship and Marinakis wants Forest to be in European competition too.
Forest aren’t dreaming of European football just yet but after a strong start to the campaign, a good run of results could change the expectations for the campaign very quickly.
Marinakis deserves lots of praise for Forest efforts
In the past mistakes have undoubtedly been made. Had Forest been relegated last season following a four-point deduction, the club’s hierarchy would have had to carry the can.
Signing 30 players after winning promotion wasn’t ideal but Marinakis has learned a lot from that debacle.
He’s now got trusted recruitment people in place and over the last two summer transfer windows, the club have targeted quality over quantity.
Marinakis deserves praise from his Forest critics. He’s now trying to stabilise the football club and it’s apparent that he also wants to remain at the City Ground.
Emulating Villa will be tricky but the clubs aren’t too dissimilar and it will be fascinating to see what can be achieved this season.
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