As the clock ticked past the 27th minute, Nottingham Forest found themselves 1-0 up against West Ham—a lead that would have the visitors scratching their heads in disbelief. A beautifully crafted move from summer signing Alex Moreno left Chris Wood with an easy header, as the West Ham defence stood bewildered. Two more goals from Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina sealed a seemingly flawless display at the City Ground. But Forest’s commanding performance was no fluke; it’s part of a larger trend this season. West Ham aren’t the first team to be humbled by the tricky trees, and they certainly won’t be the last.

How about @NFFC's start to the Premier League season 💪

They currently sit third in the table! pic.twitter.com/aJ4iY3F0Zq

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 2, 2024

For the first time in 26 years, Forest sit third in the Premier League, a position that highlights just how far the club has come since their promotion back to the Premier League in 2022. With a record of 5 wins, 4 draws, and just 1 loss, they have proven consistently that their impressive start is no accident. But how did we get here? How has a team that was battling relegation just two seasons ago turned themselves around with such conviction?

Chris Wood Leads the Charge: Attacking Intent at the Forefront

The key to Forest’s ascent lies arguably in their attacking intent, with Chris Wood leading the way. With 8 goals this season, Wood has been directly responsible for over half of Forest’s total goals, putting him second in the Premier League’s Golden Boot race behind Erling Haaland. His latest strike against West Ham moved him up to 23 Premier League goals, making him Forest’s second all-time top scorer in the competition.

8️⃣ goals in 🔟 @PremierLeague games. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/w4Xxqhn0Q9

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 2, 2024

Wood’s form can be attributed to both his individual quality and the tactical setup under manager Nuno Espírito Santo. Adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation, Forest have looked to push forward, creating pressure on the opposition in the midfield. This was particularly evident in their dominant performance against Leicester, where five players occupied the attacking half of the pitch on average—a stark contrast to last season’s more defensive setup, which favoured a back five. By adding an extra midfielder, Forest have been able to dominate central areas, pressurising teams higher up the pitch while remaining a potent threat on the counter.

Defensive Solidity

While Forest’s attack rightly grabs the headlines, their defensive record has been just as impressive. With 4 clean sheets and only 7 goals conceded, they boast one of the league's best defences. This can be credited to summer signings Nikola Milenković and Alex Moreno, who have bolstered the backline. Moreno’s assist in the West Ham win highlighted his all-round contributions, while Milenković, a £12m capture from Fiorentina, has quickly become a standout performer. His partnership with Brazilian defender Murillo has the potential to develop into a formidable Premier League duo.

Another clean sheet. ✅ pic.twitter.com/MuTqBB4EQQ

— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) November 2, 2024

Fixture Luck or Tactical Brilliance?

Of course, questions have been raised about the perceived "easy" start to Forest’s season. The club’s first ten fixtures saw them face five teams from the bottom seven in of the table, leading some to claim that they’ve benefited from a favourable run of games. In fact, BBC Sport ranked Forest’s opening matches as the fourth easiest in the league, with the Premier League’s fixture difficulty rating placing their first ten games as the most manageable of any team—averaging just 2.5 out of 5.

However, while clubs like Everton have struggled with similarly "easy" fixtures, Forest have been able to back up their start with convincing displays and results. In addition to their win against West Ham, they’ve also taken three points from Liverpool at Anfield and earned a hard-fought draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. With their next ten games set to be among the toughest in the league, including clashes with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Aston Villa, it remains to be seen if their form can be sustained against top-six opposition.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s Resilient Vision

Back in the dressing room, much of Forest’s early success can be attributed to manager Nuno Espírito Santo’s approach. Despite initial doubts from fans surrounding his appointment in December 2023, the Portuguese coach has brought a sense of discipline and belief to the squad. Espírito Santo’s track record speaks for itself, with back-to-back 7th place finishes at Wolves and a successful stint in Saudi Arabia, where he led Al-Ittihad to a league title.

📈 @NFFC's transformation under Nuno Espirito Santo 👏

They finish the day in the top three of the Premier League for the first time since 1998! pic.twitter.com/i93S8wsekt

— Premier League (@premierleague) November 2, 2024

His tactical philosophy has been clear from the start: keep a clean sheet, be compact and solid, and support each other. It’s this mentality that has helped Forest rise to daunting heights of the Premier League this season.

Looking Ahead: Can Forest Sustain Their Form?

There’s no doubt that Nottingham Forest’s excellent start has been built on a blend of tactical innovation, strong defensive foundations, and the brilliance of key individuals like Chris Wood. But with more challenges ahead—both in terms of fixture difficulty and uncontrollable factors such as injuries and fixture congestion—only time will tell if this hot streak can continue.

With key players like Danilo, Ibrahim Sangaré, and James Ward-Prowse still to return, there’s plenty of room for further growth. However, the next ten games will present a much sterner test, and Forest will need to dig deep if they are to maintain their position in the upper reaches of the table. The big question remains: can their rock-solid defence and newfound attacking flair hold up against the relentless pressure of the Premier League’s elite?