Despite being overwhelmed by Newcastle United in the first half, Nottingham Forest’s spirited mindset gave them positivity and credibility on an afternoon where they didn’t perhaps deserve it, valiantly losing 4-3. George Edwards was at the match
“Newcastle st-james-park stadium” by Arne Müseler is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 
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Nottingham Forest’s desire to entertain and fight until the end was evident during the closing stages of their defeat at St. James’ Park.
An afternoon where Forest weren’t at the races — outclassed and staring defeat plain in the face — culminated in the utmost trepidation for the home support, saved only by the officials’ rather stingy total of three added minutes at the end; a stoppage time equaliser looked destined and almost certainly would have come had the extra minutes reflected reality.
Given the style of play Forest deploy under Nuno Espirito Santo, the Reds are liable to a first-half display parallel to what we saw yesterday afternoon.
Being content to sit back and invite pressure is a dangerous game in the Premier League, particularly away from home against the league’s top sides, as proved by their defeats away at Manchester City, Arsenal, Bournemouth and now Newcastle this season.
The manager spoke after the game of how his side “cannot allow” situations that led to his side falling behind easily, expressing how he “didn’t recognise” his side in first 45 minutes. At 4-1 down at the break, perhaps a different outlook is needed when visiting grounds housing teams with real elitest quality.
Then again, their strategy and Nuno’s inventive ideas are what formulated that win at Anfield and what has propelled them to the incredible heights achieved this season.
That success is testament to Forest’s mentality as much as it is to their quality. Fighting until the very end, the Reds mustered credibility and almost a point from a situation and performance that merited none, down entirely to that mindset.
Granted, Newcastle United allowed Forest far more time on the ball once they felt comfortable in the game, but Forest’s second-half comeback is as much down to their quality as it is down to the Magpies’ shortcomings.
Ryan Yates, scorer of Forest’s third, epitomises the positive demeanour present in Forest’s squad. Benched over recent weeks, and rightly so based on performance and Nuno’s midfield options, Yates’ introduction spurred Forest into life. Their second-half dominance was faltering, and the fightback seemed extinguished until his introduction, making his presence known and getting Forest back on the ball and back on the front foot.
Chosen in the matchday squad over fan-favourite Danilo, Yates’ inclusion was one he had to prove, and despite his critics and occasional time out of the starting XI, he always finds ways to make his presence felt.
This might be sounding rather positive given the fact that Forest lost, conceded four and were completely overwhelmed defensively in the first half. However, they are in a position where positives can be taken and where results aren’t absolutely pivotal based on their preseason expectations.
Furthermore, with a game just three days away — and not an easy one at that with Arsenal visiting the City Ground — the Reds can take heart that they reacted to adversity far better than they have in their last two Premier League away games, now with 13 goals conceded in their past four away games in all competitions.
Their defence has been their biggest strength for the majority of this season, boasting the second-best defensive record for the first few months and churning out clean sheets like it was nothing. Concern now must set in, with Forest looking vulnerable every time Newcastle stepped into their half throughout the game yesterday.
Nothing much has changed, with Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic’s esteemed partnership being a constant. However, despite getting on the scoresheet, Milenkovic’s defensive display yesterday and Ola Aina’s performances over the past month do flag up as warning signs, arguably the Reds most consistent performers for most of the campaign.
Despite their defensive woes, Forest’s downfall was largely what lay in front.
As mentioned, away from home against the best teams, Forest seem to have a fear of getting on the ball, despite their abundance of quality. Granted, their game plan is to sit back and counterattack, but if you cannot retain the ball and do something meaningful with it in the Premier League, you’ll get found out.
Forest proved they could do it once they were seemingly out of the contest, boasting 56% of possession in the second half and playing much further up the field. Yes, it’s easier from behind, but had that intent, quality and belief been there from the first minute, Forest may not have found themselves so far behind in the first place.
Newcastle did get rather fortunate to accelerate into the distance following Forest’s early lead, a welcome strike for the returning Callum Hudson-Odoi. It was a clinical finish, bamboozling Nick Pope, punishing the hosts for cheap play in midfield, with no Premier League player scoring more goals from outside the box since last season than Forest’s number 14.
After that the Geordie’s luck was seemingly in, with two fortunate deflections and a penalty aiding them to four goals in 11 minutes, easing the audible nerves inside St. James’ Park. Notwithstanding that, Forest’s lack of substance on the ball meant they were constantly inviting pressure, and against teams with quality like Newcastle, you will almost always be punished.
With only three wins in the league in 2025, this rough patch is Forest’s first real blip of the season; it’s incredible to think that on those wins alone they’d be a third to the total win tally amassed last season.
Forest’s reaction following their heavy and unexpected defeat at Bournemouth was always going to define their season, given the run of games to come and the potential demoralising nature of the loss.
The jury still remains out on that reaction, thumping Brighton before losing away at two formidable venues in their own right; against fellow European chasing teams which becomes the biggest irk.
Continuing as the gruelling nature of English football does, Forest cannot lick their wounds as they prepare to host the two sides they are sandwiched in between, with themselves, Arsenal and Manchester City all on mental lows following defeats in recent games.
Returning to the City Ground will be welcome for players and supporters alike, with results against any side always on the cards and more likely at their historic home despite their record as the third-best away side this season remaining intact.
Entertainment has always been at the heart of Nottingham Forest this season — in victory or defeat, in good performance or bad performance — Forest’s mindset to thrill and to be themselves has meant there is always positivity to be taken from any given moment.
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