Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest are a tactical anomaly but it works: How they bucked the Premier League trend

The newly-promoted side have enjoyed a solid start to the season, despite their unconventional approach

Nottingham Forest have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League season so far, despite playing in a way that is very different to most other teams in the division.

Under manager Steve Cooper, Forest have adopted a 4-3-3 formation that is very attacking, with two wing-backs who push forward at every opportunity.

This approach has led to Forest being one of the most entertaining teams to watch in the Premier League, and they have already picked up some impressive results, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool.

So, what is it about Forest's tactics that makes them so effective?

One of the key factors is their use of wing-backs. Matt Doherty and Renan Lodi are both excellent attacking players, and they provide Forest with a lot of width and creativity going forward.

Another key factor is Forest's pressing game. They are very aggressive in their pressing, which forces their opponents to make mistakes and gives them opportunities to win the ball back high up the pitch.

Finally, Forest are very good at set pieces. They have scored a number of goals from corners and free-kicks this season, which has been a major factor in their success.

However, Forest's tactics also have some weaknesses

One of the main weaknesses is that they can be vulnerable to counter-attacks. If they lose the ball in midfield, they can be exposed at the back.

Another weakness is that they can sometimes be too reliant on their wing-backs. If Doherty and Lodi are not having a good game, then Forest can struggle to create chances.

Overall, Forest's tactics are a refreshing change from the norm in the Premier League

They are an attacking team who are always looking to score goals, and they have already shown that they can be a match for anyone on their day.

It will be interesting to see how Forest perform in the long term, but they have certainly made a positive impression so far this season.