Three talking points from Nottingham Forest's 2-0 loss to Brentford

Nottingham Forest fell to yet another disappointing home defeat, uncharacteristically losing 2-0 to Brentford and denting their chances of Champions League football. George Edwards was at the match

It’s hard to feel disappointment, to feel anger, to feel dejection, because Nottingham Forest have been a breath of fresh air to the Premier League this season.

Yet, with two consecutive home defeats, their fading Champions League dream and the manner of the losses signify those emotions being felt greatly.

Forest could have gone back to third with victory against Brentford; instead, they are left looking upwards, a position they have yet to experience so far this campaign. And the gap could and probably will get bigger, with the prospect of Forest festering five points behind third when they kick off against Crystal Palace on Monday night.

It’s highly unlikely they won’t finish in a European spot in some regard, nine points ahead of eighth-placed Fulham, with at least the top seven securing Europe this season.

But if it is to be the Europa League, or the Conference League, there will be a lingering feeling of resentment. It’s like losing a lead late on feeling like a loss, yet grabbing a draw from the jaws of defeat feels like victory.

Defending as they did against Brentford, Forest were never going to claim victory, and here are three takeaways from the match.

Defensively poor

Nikola Milenkovic has been Forest’s stalwart all season and perhaps the biggest factor in their defensive solidity so far, but last night wasn’t his night.

Granted, nor was it Murillo’s, the pair involved minimally due to Forest’s maintained possession and territory in Brentford’s half. However, conceding two goals — pretty much a carbon copy of one another — shows naivety, and proves you can’t get away with anything in the Premier League.

Two long balls that should never have been allowed to bounce, let alone twice. The manner of the mistakes exemplified further by the heights of both goal scorers, on paper a mismatch despite Kevin Schade and especially Yoane Wissa finishing well.

Milenkovic’s mispositioning and seeming unreadiness proved costly, two of only three shots on target mustered by the visitors, the third – of course – kept out superbly by Matz Sels.

Milenkovic and Murillo will rise again, and they have certainly aided Forest far more than they have hindered them this season, the duo often complementing each other so well having a rare off night in synchronisation.

Uncharacteristically timid

Going forward, Forest were uncharacteristically devoid and looked out of steam, a sentiment that came from the top.

Nuno has always been a prominent figure on the sideline, lingering on the edge of his technical area with stature and presence, yet last night his manner seemed defeatist, and he was often visible tucked away in the technical area.

Granted, rain was rampantly teeming down in second half, and it may seem a strange observation, but with Forest lacking the attacking bite and force they normally possess, Nuno’s reservation became a metaphor of his team’s display.

The City Ground is where Forest had been playing their best football, too. However, the fluidity and form were absent, replaced by a stagnancy, and by the end, Forest looked completely out of ideas in an attacking sense.

Brentford made it tough, packing the penalty area and not allowing Forest’s wide men any space, but their creative juices never got flowing, managing just five shots on target themselves. Bar a few set-piece scraps, there was practically no service for Chris Wood, who fought admirably and was one of Forest’s better performers.

But Forest were abnormal. It didn’t look fun. It didn’t look free. It didn’t look flowing. For the first time, it seemed Forest were feeling the pressure and the whole season looked to be weighing on every player’s back.

Squad unable to help

Nuno’s desire for a small and tight squad certainly has its benefits, generating perhaps the most united dressing room in recent Forest history. However, when behind and when chasing, Forest lack the depth to influence from the bench.

The team selection pre-match was welcomed with open arms, many seeing it as Forest’s strongest squad as Ola Aina returned from injury, plus Ryan Yates and Neco Williams’ reselection after suspension at Wembley.

But when it was clear Forest needed new life, the spark never came.

Nico Dominguez was more of a threat than Callum Hudson-Odoi but lacks the pace or trickery to be a persistent threat as a winger. Taiwo Awoniyi’s introduction should have provided a physical presence alongside Wood, but the Nigerian only had seven touches in a rather impactless 30 minutes.

The rest just seemed desperate, adding no real quality or forward drive and making the game look destined to peter out. Forest have won just four points from losing positions this season; their reliance on their first XI to do the business finally catching up on them.

The hangover will come, but it must depart by Monday night. Forest are by no means down and out, and while they might now be the chasers, the underdogs, they have been defying odds all season, so don’t think they plan to stop now.

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