If you exclude first-team regulars Ryan Yates and Alex Moreno, the other nine of Nuno Espirito Santo’s starting lineup against Luton Town had notched up only 1,968 minutes of Premier League football between them this season.
The Portuguese was able to change his entire XI for the FA Cup tie against a side that had been among Forest’s relegation rivals last season, but now find themselves struggling in the Championship. The gulf that has grown between these two teams was perfectly demonstrated as what was effectively a second-string side still managed to secure comfortable passage into the fourth round.
But what will have been most encouraging to Nuno is what the performance meant for the second half of the Premier League campaign.
Not only did he have the luxury of changing his entire team three days before the visit of leaders Liverpool on Tuesday, but Nuno also got to witness a timely display of the strength in depth he has at his disposal, as Forest look to sustain the remarkable form that has taken them to third.
The reality is that, while some of them might have had limited opportunities, many of these players will be required to play a part, on some level, in the remaining 18 Premier League fixtures.
And this was a performance — albeit against a team feeling the disruption of the departure of manager Rob Edwards — that emphatically suggested many of them will be ready, if and when they are called upon.
Nobody better personifies that thought than James Ward-Prowse, who has made only nine Premier League appearances in the opening 20 games (four starts).
Despite his lack of game time, Forest have never discussed the possibility of terminating his loan from West Ham United. Even with limited opportunities — his last league start was in the 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in November — his attitude has been impressive.
Ward-Prowse is seen as a professional, driven character who has remained fully behind the team. He has never complained about his lack of playing time, having had just 399 minutes of league football.
“He played a good game. James is so professional. He always works to his limits. I am very happy with his performance,” said Nuno in his post-match press conference.
If Nuno can inspire Nottingham Forest to victory over Liverpool on Tuesday, they will be three points behind the league leaders (MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
The fact that Forest, a side that twice battled relegation following promotion in 2022, have a previously established England international as a back-up option is indicative of the huge strides forward they have taken.
Ward-Prowse made more passes than any other Forest player (54) and what is more impressive is that he did so with 100 per cent passing accuracy. His delivery from set pieces was also a constant source of threat. But the 30-year-old was not the only one to thrive.
Ramon Sosa, the Paraguay international, laid on a pinpoint cross for Yates to head home the opening goal, before netting the second himself, following some terrier-like work from fellow winger Jota.
Jota and Sosa repeatedly combined well and when Forest subsequently brought on Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi — their first-choice wingers — it felt almost cruel on their already beaten opponents. Forest have four capable wide options to call upon in the coming months.
Nuno will already have been aware of what the likes of Jota, Sosa and Yates — who also hit the bar with a powerful dipping shot — can offer. He will also be aware of the abilities of Taiwo Awoniyi, who had bright moments on a rare start ahead of 12-goal forward Chris Wood. But he will have learned more about others.
Morato has long been a player Nuno trusts, with the defender having been involved in every game as Forest have built a run of six consecutive top-flight victories — their best run in the space of a single season since 1967. The 6ft 4in (193cm) centre-half was as imposing as ever against Luton. He was signed from Benfica partly in case Murillo was sold in the summer. But the 23-year-old continues to show he has vast potential of his own, just like his fellow Brazilian. This was his third start for Forest and you sense there could be many more to come.
Another of their countrymen, Carlos Miguel, also stood tall, literally, when called upon.
Miguel — who Nuno has confirmed will play in the FA Cup for as long as Forest remain in the competition — made six saves, two of which were vital in their victory. His stop to keep out Liam Walsh in the first half — after the Luton man had hit a ferocious 25-yard shot — was outstanding.
Belgium international Matz Sels’ consistent performances have been enough to ensure Forest are unlikely to add another keeper in January. But in Miguel — who is yet to feature in the Premier League — they have capable back-up. This was Forest’s fifth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions. They last conceded a goal in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa on December 14. Nobody has more in the Premier League than Sels (nine).
Eric Moreira, the 18-year-old German full-back or winger, looked at home in a wing-back role on the right side as Forest opted for a 3-4-3 formation that included Harry Toffolo as a left-sided central defender. Moreira has his work cut out to challenge established full-backs Neco Williams or Ola Aina for their place, but he also did enough to suggest that he too has a bright future.
If they can find a way to beat Liverpool on Tuesday, it would match the club record of seven consecutive league wins, which was achieved in 1922. Nuno will almost certainly make a raft of changes again, as he takes full advantage of fresh legs.
With Danilo returning from injury as a late substitute — his first appearance since breaking his leg on the opening day — Forest have only one player sidelined, with Ibrahim Sangare making progress in his return from a hamstring injury.
Nuno said he has not changed his opinion of his players — because he trusted them already. “The depth of the squad is there,” he said. “Only Ibrahim is not with us, otherwise all of them are healthy. Which is good because it (the run-in) is going to be very tough.”
Nuno might feel that as long as nobody is sold in January — and there is no suggestion of that — he will have the options to cope.
(Top photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
