Nottingham Forest’s Impressive Away Form Attributed to Comfort Without Possession and Attacking Drive

Nottingham Forest currently holds the third-best away record in the Premier League this season, trailing only Chelsea and Liverpool. The team has accumulated 17 points from nine league matches played on the road. Former Premier League defender Ashley Williams commented on the reasons behind the Reds’ strong away performances this season during an appearance on Match of the Day, stating: “It plays into the way that Nuno sets them up.” Their average possession across the last 17 games stands at 40.2%, a figure lower than every other team in the league except Everton. Despite this, Williams noted they are “so comfortable without the ball.” Williams elaborated, stating: “They have a strong spine in the team and they don’t need to dominate possession at all. But, when they do when they win the ball back, they get it up the pitch very early and quickly with purpose.” He continued, highlighting individual player capabilities: “Hudson-Odoi can beat a man at any time he wants. They have runners with Anderson and Williams. Elanga and Wood are allowed to get into the box.” Williams summarized this approach by saying: “So they don’t always have the ball but, as soon as they get it, they have one thing on their mind.” He further illustrated their attacking intent: “They have got their left-back crossing and their right-back scoring a goal – that goes to show how adventurous they can be when they have got the ball.” Williams emphasized their quick transitions: “They don’t hang about. They aren’t slow in their build-up but, when they do get the ball, they want to get it forward quickly.” He concluded: “Most of the time, when they get possession, it ends in some sort of chance – so they aren’t messing around with the ball.”