Is it a good or a bad time to face Manchester City? It says everything about Nuno Espirito Santo that the Nottingham Forest boss doesn’t really see Wednesday’s clash in that way.
Perhaps understandably for a game against the reigning Premier League champions - and particularly given their recent run of form - Nuno’s pre-match press conference was full of questions about the Reds’ opponents. After all, Pep Guardiola’s team are winless in seven games in all competitions.
This is the worst run of Guardiola’s managerial career. Such a slump is new territory for him. Likewise, being subjected to “sacked in the morning” chants during Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Liverpool.
But Nuno knows better than to read too much into City’s alarming sequence of results. He was as level-headed as always when facing the media at the City Ground on Monday afternoon.
Regardless of whether City were struggling or not, the midweek encounter at the Etihad Stadium was always going to be a tough game. But it is one Forest shouldn’t go into with any fear.
They have long since shaken off their away-day hoodoo, having already shown they are capable of picking up big results on the road this season. The recent Arsenal thumping was tough, but the Reds are better than what they showed that day at the Emirates Stadium - just ask Liverpool.
Against Ipswich Town at the weekend, Nuno ensured his players got back to what they are good at - being tight at the back. They ground out the three points against opponents who were prepared to fight and scrap.
Strength of character is going to be equally important for Forest in the north west. The likes of Ryan Yates, Nikola Milenkovic, Matz Sels and Morgan Gibbs-White can help to set the tone.
It isn’t just about passion and desire, either. Nuno places an emphasis on players remaining calm in stressful situations - it is why he often turns to centre-back Morato to come off the bench and help see out victories. After all, Forest are yet to concede a goal with him on the pitch.
“Every time he comes into the game, he has done very well,” Nuno explained. “His individual performance has always been very good, because he always arrives in the game in a very stressful moment.
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“But he is always very focused, very determined and he works very hard on the training ground. That is the big advantage we have in our back line - we have players who we can rely on and trust to do the job.”
Nuno says Morato is capable of starting games, but it would be a big call to reward him with his first one at the Etihad. Nevertheless, the summer signing epitomises the strength in depth Nuno has in defence - with Andrew Omobamidele and the experienced Willy Boly also on the books.
The Reds went back to basics against Ipswich. Milenkovic, Murillo, Ola Aina and Neco Williams, along with Yates for his work in front of them, were among their star performers.
Going into the City test with a clean-sheet behind them is a huge positive for Nuno’s men. Defence has been their strength this season, and Saturday was a reminder of that - a timely one, too.
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