WT Analysis
@wt_analysis
Nuno set #NFFC in a very rarely used 5-3-2 formation against #BHAFC, let's look at how it worked in the game and how Forest proved once again they are more than just a 'low-block' side🧵 Elanga & Wood's primary job was to prevent any easy pass to Hinshelwood, with the midfield 3 in behind ensuring nobody moved in front of them to receive possession.
#NFFC's front line would then shuffle across following the ball, with the midfield 3 joining them leaving lots of space on the opposite wing. Forest are happy to do this as it's very difficult to switch the ball to the other side when there's so much pressure in the middle.
Last time out against #BHAFC, there were able to exploit gaps between the #NFFC lines. I thought Nuno may go for a back 5 as Forest dealt with those issues much better when they made that switch. For this to work, communication is key - Danilo is clearly passing Pedro on to Morato who is already anticipating the move and has stepped out of the line early. It's also interesting to see Nuno asking Elanga to stay high on the CB, showing that the intent is not to be passive.
#BHAFC do move the ball forward, but Aina is very alive to the danger for #NFFC and intercepts, laying the ball off to Danilo who has lots of space and team mates to create a counter attack.
Elanga receives the pass for #NFFC but unfortunately takes a heavy touch and Forest lose possession before they can create anything.
Within 10 seconds, #NFFC are back in their 2-3 shape, and have begun to set up one of their traps that we see them use so often, this time on Hinshelwood. Veltman in possession has no easy option for the pass, so goes backwards to his CB.
#NFFC then reset again to the two lines, giving no options for #BHAFC centrally, forcing them to make a switch to the left flank. This suits Forest as we know they are comfortable with Aina & Williams defending 1 v 1, and Brighton aren't able to play through the middle like they would prefer to do.
Later in the game now, and Wood & Elanga are once again doing their job in preventing any easy pass to Hinshelwood. We're about to see #NFFC show how important it is to press high as a team and not as an individual, if the team doesn't react together, then #BHAFC can play through very easily.
Because #NFFC have a midfield 3 rather than a 2, any of the 3 CMs have more freedom to press high whilst not having to worry as much about the space behind them and the issues we saw against Bournemouth last week. Here Danilo spots the opportunity to press Hinshelwood as #BHAFC go back to the GK.
Elanga knows there's an opportunity here for #NFFC and he is imploring Danilo to follow him forward to prevent the easy pass to Hinshelwood.
Danilo is a very smart player and he follows Hinselwood deep, #NFFC force #BHAFC backwards again and Forest now have players high up the pitch.
A slightly underhit pass by the #BHAFC keeper gives Elanga the chance to really pressure Dunk for #NFFC. Dunk manages to control the pass and moves down the left flank.
This time we see #NFFC set a trap that essentially uses the touchline as the spare man. Aina & Gibbs-White have moved forward and created a line parallel to the touchline, once again giving #BHAFC no option but to hoof it long or go backwards to retain the ball.
As #BHAFC move it backward, #NFFC now have 5 men in the final third. These are the 2 strikers, the RCM & CM, and Morato the RCB. These movements by the midfield and defence can only be done because of the system Forest have played, they can move forward but still be confident they have numbers behind them should things not go to plan.
Milenkovic heads the ball back up field as #NFFC are now in a temporary conventional back 4. It's then the high Morato who wins the next ball for Forest.
Gibbs-White then picks up the loose ball for #NFFC, and all of the #BHAFC defenders have been drawn in centrally leaving so much space wide on the left. Wood is about to move in that direction, as Williams makes a run from deep into the space.
Gibbs-White plays the pass for #NFFC to Wood and Forest are now in business. They've got men high up the field and space to move in to.
To his credit, Minteh does a really good job for #BHAFC to get back and make a great intervention on Wood. #NFFC win the corner from which they score the 2nd goal. This comes directly from some really clever and proactive pressing from Forest, that doesn't show up in any statistics as an often talked about 'high turnover', but is just as important and effective.
