'There is much to be hopeful for'

The eye-catching statistic from Nottingham Forest’s first two games of the Premier League season was the number of shots on target. Eight. In both games.

Admittedly, those 16 shots only resulted in two goals. But those two goals have meant four points — 10% of the way to Premier League safety. And with an average of 3.89 shots on target last season, an increase in creating chances is obviously the first step to converting chances.

That said, Forest were the only side to outshoot Manchester City in 2023-24 — just the second team to do so home and away against a Pep Guardiola side since Real Madrid in 2009-10. So there is a gradual evolution in the Reds’ tactics.

This season the shift has seen Nuno Espirito Santo’s side pressing higher up the pitch — in a 4-2-4 formation out of possession, which is increasingly common in the Premier League — rather than dropping into a low block.

Winning the ball further up the pitch obviously contributes to a higher number of chances. And the tactic nullified Southampton’s superior possession, to the effect that it counted for nothing; just the one shot on target for the Saints.

Impressive debut starts for both Nikola Milenkovic and Elliot Anderson, followed by a cameo from Jota Silva — with Ramon Sosa still to come and, hopefully, one of Eddie Nketiah or Santiago Gimenez — means there is much to be hopeful for.

Whether the Reds can keep up eight shots on target a game remains to be seen, but a better return on converting chances should mean more goals to come.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club