Nottingham Forest used 33 players in 38 Premier League games last season, more than any other team in the league.
Under two different managers, it was a period of fight to avoid relegation, and that statistic illustrates the sense of disarray that occasionally loomed over Forest.
In their first season following their return to the top level, 2022–2023—another fight against relegation—they also utilized the most players of any Premier League team, again with 33.
With just 23 games played so far this season, Forest has employed the fewest players of any team in the division, according to head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The unity and solidarity Nuno and his squad have helped to foster in the 13 months since he succeeded Steve Cooper is also indicated by that number.
After their 5-0 loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, it would be easy to overreact and risk shattering that unity, believing that a significant reaction is required to a spectacular setback. particularly during this season.
At Forest, that has before occurred. They lost to Preston North End 3-0 at home in the second-tier Championship on January 30, 2018, dropping them to 15th place in the 24-team standings. Their newly hired manager, Aitor Karanka, called the match the “worst moment” of his career.
With the arrival of Costel Pantilimon, Jack Colback, Adlene Guedioura, Ashkan Dejagah, Joe Lolley, and Lee Tomlin, as well as the nearly finalized agreement for free agent Ben Watson (who joined the following week), Forest essentially made seven new additions the following day, which also happened to be the deadline day for that season’s winter window.
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