Kelvin Wilson: Nuno Has Transformed Nottingham Forest Into European Contenders

Kelvin Wilson is confident the likes of Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi can help Nottingham Forest launch a European challenge under popular manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Forest went into the third international break in fifth spot and visit Arsenal this weekend as one of only two clubs yet to taste defeat away from home this season.

The Reds are 33/1 with betting sites to be playing Champions League football next season or 9/1 to finish in the top six.

Wilson Backs Forest For Top-Half Finish

It’s a far cry from the 2023/24 campaign which saw Forest deducted four points for breaching profit and sustainability rules, eventually finishing one place above the relegation zone.

However, in an exclusive interview with Gambling.com, Wilson is confident his former club have what it takes to continue their impressive start.

He said: "Anything above 10th would be an absolutely unbelievable season. But it’s realistic, and I wouldn't be shocked if they finished in the top half of the table.

"People think that you have to spend money and bring big names in [to succeed in the Premier League], but that doesn't always work. They've tried that and nearly failed by getting relegated.

"They brought players in at good prices, and they brought the right players for Nuno. And I think that's been proven this season."

Wood Proved Me Wrong, Says Ex-Forest Defender

Wilson, who spent seven seasons with Forest in two separate spells, insists star striker Chris Wood is one of the main reasons for the club’s success, silencing the doubters with 22 goals in 44 Premier League appearances.

He said: "I remember when he signed for Forest. I’d played against him and I was the first to say I didn't know if he was the right player. 

“Because of his size, people automatically thought he was just a target man but he’s shown his qualities. With what he's done this season, and towards the back end of last season, he has been unbelievable – the amount of goals he's scoring and the chances he's creating.

"I've watched Forest quite a bit and it's not just his goalscoring that's catching people's eyes, it’s his all-round play that's been really good for the club. 

“His defending, his hold-up play, his link-up play - everything's been brilliant. So, I take my hat off to Chris Wood. I think he's proved everyone wrong."

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Nuno Has Transformed Hudson-Odoi

Wilson also praised Nuno for getting the best out of players like Hudson-Odoi, who started to come to the boil in the second half of last season and now has 10 goals in 40 appearances.

"When he first came Callum didn't hit the ground running, but under Nuno a lot of the players have come to life. He's given them a hell of a lot of confidence,“ Wilson said.

He added: "They must have had a great pre-season as a club, not just as individual players, with the way they've started. 

“In a team like Nottingham Forest you can't have three or four players having eight or nine out of 10 [performances], you need at least eight or nine of them to. That's what the players have been doing and that's why they are where they are."

Nuno Has Resolved Defensive Woes

However, Wilson reserved the highest praise for former Wolves manager Nuno, who had a torrid four-month spell at Tottenham in 2021, but has bounced back in style at the City Ground.

Wilson said: "It’s a massive, massive turnaround from the last couple of seasons. I think Nuno came in and addressed everything that had been a problem; mainly set-pieces and their defensive record. He’s dealt with that.

"He's brought players in that have adapted straight away to the way he wants to play and they have hit the ground running. He’s been brilliant for Forest so far.

"It obviously wasn't the best result [when they lost to Newcastle in the Premier League], but if anyone would have said they'd be fifth in the Premier League at this stage of the season, they would have snatched your hand off."