Nuno Herlander Simões Espírito Santo

[Listen 'ere young man]

If he played Elanga instead of Danilo we probably would have been overrun in midfield. He didn't have a good game but that was the thinking I suppose.

City started perfectly, contested and won every ball and got the early goal the space for which shouldn't have been given. One of those days, where by the time we found our feet, luck didn't play ball.

 

[Bob Fossil]

Danilo and Dominguez doesn't work and I think we'd actually get destroyed with those in the Champions League if we get there. I'd prefer to start with two wingers every game and if one of Elanga or CHO is out go with Sosa or Jota on the wing.

As others have said he had credit in the bank but got it wrong today.

I'm starting to think that Europa League may suit us better.

Man United & Spurs have been wank & may win the bloody thing.

Even with additions, we'll get battered in the UCL this early.

 

[DizzyBala]

Even with additions, we'll get battered in the UCL this early.

Considering the season we've had, I'd say there is probably 7-8 teams I think would for sure beat us up in the UCL.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and PSG.

The beauty of the group stages though, you only face like 1-2 of those top seeded teams in your rotation.
If play say, Slavia Prague, that's a Europa League opponent right there.

I think we could, if we stay on course, achieve Europa/Conference League football on a regular basis. Champions League though, this is probably our best chance to get some and the difference in money, teams you play and the players you attract is significant.

 

[Erik]

If he played Elanga instead of Danilo we probably would have been overrun in midfield.

As it was, for 45 minutes we were overrun and outclassed in midfield.

Wasn't meant to happen but it did and we looked much better after the break so credit to everyone for pulling themselves together at half time.

 

[Erik]

Considering the season we've had, I'd say there is probably 7-8 teams I think would for sure beat us up in the UCL.
Liverpool, Arsenal, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern and PSG.

We wouldn't have to play two of those teams anyway before the quarter final would we?

Besides which, we know we can beat both Liverpool and Arsenal.

 

[Notcher]

At least these games are showing Nuno exactly what we need and who really isn't up to it and needs to be jettisoned.

We've seen it in a number of games now and we've got to be ruthless in order to evolve. Now is the time to do it because we have the lure of CL football (fingers crossed) and the war chest that comes with it.

I'm sorry to say but the entire midfield needs an overhaul with the exception of Anderson and Yates. We need better cover in the full back positions, better cover/players pushing in the winger positions and another striker.

That's not to diminish the achievements of our players this season, it's simply what needs to happen in order for us to improve, evolve and strengthen our depth. This is all with the blind hope that we don't lose any of our key players.

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[Loughborough_red]

At least these games are showing Nuno exactly what we need and who really isn't up to it and needs to be jettisoned.

We've seen it in a number of games now and we've got to be ruthless in order to evolve. Now is the time to do it because we have the lure of CL football (fingers crossed) and the war chest that comes with it.

I'm sorry to say but the entire midfield needs an overhaul with the exception of Anderson and Yates. We need better cover in the full back positions, better cover/players pushing in the winger positions and another striker.

That's not to diminish the achievements of our players this season, it's simply what needs to happen in order for us to improve, evolve and strengthen our depth. This is all with the blind hope that we don't lose any of our key players.

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I think that's fair.

 

[Rzar]

The Danilo selection was a poor one.

However, I don’t really think he got it ‘wrong’, I think the plan was stick around for 60 minutes and then do them. I always expected a fairly shit first half playing for 0-0 then getting into them.

But the first minute goal and Elanga missing. Fine margins as we’ve heard before…..

He got naff all wrong, City were clinical, we were not. That was the only thing in the game.

The thing about Nuno is even if he gets something wrong it's irrelevant because he corrects it sharpish - which is why we are where we are.

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

If he played Elanga instead of Danilo we probably would have been overrun in midfield. He didn't have a good game but that was the thinking I suppose.

Probably even more simply than that is we were threadbare and had no options to change the game from the bench if Elanga started.

It was a hot day and Man City had a bench worth more than our club. If we play on the front foot from the start we probably fade later in the game and concede our goals late on rather than early on.

Sometimes you just can't beat Man City when you have to play Abbott, Toffolo and an unfit Danilo at some point in the game.

 

[Rzar]

I don’t think it’s as simple as if Elanga started we would have scored/won etc. Having 2 wingers starting cud have left us exposed in midfield-may have been 2-3 down. I think Elanga is still not 100% and we are managing him. It also highlights limited depth we have -which is understandable given our rapid raise.

It is not just about the midfield

If he started Elanga & City were outnumbering Abbott all game everyone would have said we should have played Dominguez to give him more protection. That O'Reilly has been a real threat going forward since he got in the City team, Abbott would have had an impossible job. He could deal with 1 v 1's, no chance he would cope with 2 v 1s as that has been a problem in some of our defeats this season when Aina was getting overloaded.

 

[Monkman]

Flip me, glad we all know better than our manager

This, jesus. With better finishing we'd have won that game, with 3 key players missing, against Man effing City. But yeah let's blame the guy whose tactical tinkering and experimentation has got an unfancied squad a couple of wins from CL football.

 

[Notcher]

Yeah I think it's a bit harsh criticise Nuno, he was dammed if he did and dammed if he didn't. The truth is there was no real answer to the issue, City are going to be difficult to contain at the best of times, having both full backs out which is critical to stopping City was a hammer blow.

Nuno couldn't envisage us concededing in the first minute and that just completely killed our game plan. Had we not then we might have got to half time and then been able to do what we did in the second half, the pressure is ramped up on chances when you're already a goal down.

As it happens, this might be the best outcome for the season. Palace will be throwing all of their eggs in the FA cup basket when we play them so that game potentially swings more favourably our way, City have an additional game to contend with so although they are seemingly the front runners to finish in the top 5, things become a little bit more difficult.



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[Sooty]

I think that's fair.

I’d say that Dominguez has an important role to play next year, and has been said on many occasions, Sangaré may well be suited to European competition. That we’re discussing who’s up to it for Champions League football against PSG & Real Madrid just goes to show how dramatically we’ve risen this year. We’re three or fours years ahead of our wildest expectations.

 

[Strummer]

It is not just about the midfield

Against any Guardiola team, it is.

He compresses the field, pushing defence into midfield, and yesterday, playing without a recognised striker. That‘s what he does, and that‘s how he can get away with playing midfielders or centre backs in the full back positions.

If you lose the midfield, a Guardiola side will choke you.

When Forest beat them, they controlled the midfield. Yesterday, they failed to do that.

 

[JohnnyCarey]

I think we have to keep two slightly contradictory things in mind at the same time. One is that Nuno's Plan A has been stunningly effective. We've gone further than any of us dreamed possible by conceding possession, grabbing a goal on the break and defending like demons. The other is that we're actually a better side when we press forward ten yards and become more aggressive -- which we only do when we're chasing a game. Yesterday and the Villa game were good examples of this.
I think next season we'll try to evolve more towards Plan B without losing the virtues of Plan A. But to do it we'll need more depth in the squad and better attacking options to bring off the bench. For the moment, we're left with a bit of a paradox -- we are most effective when not playing our best football.
And of course that's perfectly fine. If we 1-0 our way to the Champions League we will have no complaints.

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

Against any Guardiola team, it is.

He compresses the field, pushing defence into midfield, and yesterday, playing without a recognised striker. That‘s what he does, and that‘s how he can get away with playing midfielders or centre backs in the full back positions.

If you lose the midfield, a Guardiola side will choke you.

When Forest beat them, they controlled the midfield. Yesterday, they failed to do that.

It wasn't through lack of trying though was it.

That's why Danilo, Dominguez and Anderson all started, and why MGW and CHO were narrow in the first half.

Funny how you've got folk complaining Elanga didn't start, wanting us to lose a central midfielder presumably, and others disappointed we couldn't win the midfield battle.

I'll say it again: Abbott, Toffolo, unfit Danilo. No real bench options. We were rank outsiders with the bookies before the teams were announced for a reason.

 

[FLC]

This, jesus. With better finishing we'd have won that game, with 3 key players missing, against Man effing City. But yeah let's blame the guy whose tactical tinkering and experimentation has got an unfancied squad a couple of wins from CL football.

This comment illustrates beautifully the difference between us and those entitled twats at Spurs. “With better finishing we’d have won that game” vs “We deserved to win.” Let’s never get like Spurs.

 

[adam09]

It wasn't through lack of trying though was it.

That's why Danilo, Dominguez and Anderson all started, and why MGW and CHO were narrow in the first half.

Funny how you've got folk complaining Elanga didn't start, wanting us to lose a central midfielder presumably, and others disappointed we couldn't win the midfield battle.

I'll say it again: Abbott, Toffolo, unfit Danilo. No real bench options. We were rank outsiders with the bookies before the teams were announced for a reason.

Danilo just isn't a sitter and neither is Anderson. Hence why they let players slip behind them quite often. It's the toughest position for me and you can play well for 99% of the game but you let one person ghost in behind and it's trouble.

With Yates out Sangare was probably the better option over Danilo.

And I'm sure they've got a lot of fitness and data and that but to the eye, Anderson has played a lot of football is he's looking a bit burnt out.

 

[bearwood red]

This game exposed our lack of strength in depth at this level. We were only missing three players, but it had a huge impact. (Partly because two of them are our only right backs). City, by contrast were without Ederson, Rodri, Stones, Haaland, and Ake. But still had DeBruyne, Foden, Doku, Gundogan on the bench!

Nuno shuffled the back as best he could, but the reality is, we’re still miles away from having a squad that can compete with the bigger teams on a consistent basis, without being very lucky with injuries and suspensions.

 

[YouReds43]

I think Nuno has had enough of these press conferences. He's said we are going game by game. Next question - Do you think Forest need to win all 5 games to get Champions League?

 

[IdiotTricky]

I think we have to keep two slightly contradictory things in mind at the same time. One is that Nuno's Plan A has been stunningly effective. We've gone further than any of us dreamed possible by conceding possession, grabbing a goal on the break and defending like demons. The other is that we're actually a better side when we press forward ten yards and become more aggressive -- which we only do when we're chasing a game. Yesterday and the Villa game were good examples of this.
I think next season we'll try to evolve more towards Plan B without losing the virtues of Plan A. But to do it we'll need more depth in the squad and better attacking options to bring off the bench. For the moment, we're left with a bit of a paradox -- we are most effective when not playing our best football.
And of course that's perfectly fine. If we 1-0 our way to the Champions League we will have no complaints.

This is where I'm at, with the caveat that we can play some really good stuff until we get that early goal. Squad depth is our biggest hold back this season, especially when you compare us to the likes of Villas or (lol) Man City.

That said, the way we attempted the comebacks against the above 2 (even if the semi-final was really playing on the edge) gives me hope for next season. We played some excellent football in both of those second halves, imho.

 

[IdiotTricky]

At least these games are showing Nuno exactly what we need and who really isn't up to it and needs to be jettisoned.

We've seen it in a number of games now and we've got to be ruthless in order to evolve. Now is the time to do it because we have the lure of CL football (fingers crossed) and the war chest that comes with it.

I'm sorry to say but the entire midfield needs an overhaul with the exception of Anderson and Yates. We need better cover in the full back positions, better cover/players pushing in the winger positions and another striker.

That's not to diminish the achievements of our players this season, it's simply what needs to happen in order for us to improve, evolve and strengthen our depth. This is all with the blind hope that we don't lose any of our key players.

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Do you include Dominguez in that midfield assessment? I think he brings a lot to the table, not just in terms of his energy, tenacity and tidy link-up, but also his ability to defend his full back. Not the complete midfielder, but a very good option, I think. Handsome devil as well!

 

[Notcher]

Do you include Dominguez in that midfield assessment? I think he brings a lot to the table, not just in terms of his energy, tenacity and tidy link-up, but also his ability to defend his full back. Not the complete midfielder, but a very good option, I think. Handsome devil as well!

I'd potentially keep him around. I've said a fair few times on here that he's the footballers footballer, players that play alongside him will appreciate what he does. European football could suit him even better.

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[Rzar]

If we get rid of players like Dominguez we are mad

People are expecting way too much overhaul, I think barely anyone leaves as has been the way with Nuno since he has been here. We need to add to the squad, anyone we sell will need replacing with 2-3 players of equal quality.

 

[Monkman]

If we get rid of players like Dominguez we are mad

People are expecting way too much overhaul, I think barely anyone leaves as has been the way with Nuno since he has been here. We need to add to the squad, anyone we sell will need replacing with 2-3 players of equal quality.

Agree, why throw the baby out with the bathwater when the current squad has had such a brilliant season. We need a few additions (and to move a few on) but not an overhaul.