Nottingham Forest are alongside Liverpool and Aston Villa for the least number of players used so far this season with Nuno Espirito Santo calling on 23 stars.
For context, Southampton have used 31 players – the most in the Premier League – with Brighton and Ipswich using 30 in the first half and a bit of the 2024/25 campaign.
This approach is clearly one that is working for Forest. The Reds are flying high in the Premier League table, with 44 points from 22 games and look on course to qualify for Europe next season.
Espirito Santo has been praised this season for his efforts as the head coach. It’s perhaps clear to see why he likes a streamlined squad with the Reds enjoying success with the same group of players.
After the weekend’s game with Southampton, perhaps some things are becoming clear for Espirito Santo when it comes to his team – and some statistics have emerged to prove it.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s best Forest XI no longer includes Ryan Yates
On Sunday, Forest went with the midfield pairing of Nicolas Dominguez and Elliot Anderson. Dominguez was dropped to the bench for the visit of Liverpool, with Yates getting the nod after his masterclass on Alexis Mac Allister in the return fixture.
However, Yates was replaced by Dominguez in the team on Sunday with Forest anticipated to have the lionshare of the ball against the Premier League’s worst side at present.
Some stats from Sky Sports last night seemed to suggest why Espirito Santo made the change and it has to do with how well Anderson and Dominguez have pressed opposing teams this season.
When discussing the Best Pressing Triggers for the 2024/25 campaign, Dominguez and Anderson sit third and fourth for the whole division respectively with the two players winning 24.5% of the team’s possession per 90 minutes.
It’s a clear indication as to why Espirito Santo prefers Dominguez over Yates for certain games. It is, of course, horses for courses and nobody is suggesting that there isn’t still a role in the Forest squad for Yates.
Dominguez is underrated member of the Forest dressing room
This season it does often feel like Dominguez has been the fall guy. However, he will perhaps understand that Yates does bring better defensive qualities to the pitch than the positive things that he can offer himself.
For certain games, someone is required to sit deep and hold things together. That perhaps isn’t utilising Dominguez to his strengths and there is a method to the madness from Espirito Santo.
It’s worth noting that this stat isn’t one based on bias either and another stat helps prove the point. Forest have taken 33 points from teams from 11th to 20th in the Premier League this season.
Certain games require the energetic presence of Dominguez and Anderson in tandem. Clearly, it’s working because against the lesser teams in the division – more so the bottom half sides – the pair work brilliantly well together.
Yates as the club captain has a part to play at Forest. However, with the Reds feeling they can beat anyone this season perhaps it’s now abundantly clear that he’s not necessarily part of the strongest eleven.
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