Nottingham Forest secured a resounding 3-1 victory against Newcastle United on Boxing Day, marking the end of a seven-match winless streak and giving new head coach Nuno Espirito Santo his first points at the helm. The match saw a stellar performance by striker Chris Wood, who netted a hat-trick against his former club.
Expressing his satisfaction with the win, Nuno Espirito Santo commended the players for their hard work, acknowledging the challenges of adapting to new strategies in a short timeframe. He credited the team’s effort, particularly highlighting their defensive prowess and compact play, which was notably absent in the previous game against Bournemouth where they played with 10 men for 75 minutes.
The Portuguese coach emphasized the learning process and the team’s continuous improvement. He praised their counter-attacking threat, with speed being a key element, and singled out Chris Wood for his outstanding performance. Wood’s hat-trick, which included canceling out an early penalty and two second-half goals, drew special recognition from Nuno. The coach lauded Wood’s skills, describing the second goal as beautiful and appreciating the striker’s composure in flicking the ball over the goalkeeper.
When asked about Chris Wood’s potential as a prolific striker, Nuno expressed confidence in the player’s abilities and credited the team for creating chances for him. The coach revealed his belief that Wood has the talent to consistently find the back of the net, expressing his satisfaction with the striker’s recent contributions.
In a surprising revelation, Nuno Espirito Santo learned that he hasn’t lost to Newcastle in eight managerial encounters. While acknowledging this personal milestone, he stressed the significance of the team’s victory at St James’ Park, highlighting the rarity of achieving positive results at the venue over the past two seasons.
The discussion shifted to the coach’s decision to make six changes to the starting XI. Nuno explained that the changes were driven by the need for fresh legs and energy, considering the physical demands of the previous game. He also emphasized the importance of exploring different options and making hard decisions, recognizing the depth of the squad and the necessity of understanding each player’s capabilities.
Addressing Morgan Gibbs-White’s performance, Nuno Espirito Santo spoke highly of the player he had previously worked with at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He acknowledged Gibbs-White’s progress and credited Forest manager Steve Cooper for the player’s current form, describing him as a different but effective player who is performing exceptionally well.
In conclusion, Nuno Espirito Santo expressed his satisfaction with the team’s collective effort, praised Chris Wood’s exceptional hat-trick, and highlighted the importance of continuous learning and adapting to new challenges in the ongoing season. The win against Newcastle United marked a positive turning point for Nottingham Forest under their new head coach.
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