"Ball possession? It doesn't matter to us."

Nottingham Forest's "minority tactics" are leading to a realistic goal of advancing to the European stage. While they are at the bottom of the Premier League in possession percentage, their performance is the opposite.

The BBC reported on the 22nd (Korean time) that "Nottingham Forest is challenging for the top rankings with an average possession of around 30%. A new trend is emerging that breaks the Premier League's 'obsession with possession.'"

On the 22nd, Nottingham secured a 2-1 victory in their away match against Tottenham Hotspur, recording 60 points (18 wins, 6 draws, 9 losses) and rising to 3rd place in the league. During this match, Nottingham's possession was only 30%.

Nottingham is currently recording an average possession of 39.3% this season. This percentage is the lowest among the 20 teams in the Premier League. It is even lower than Ipswich Town's (39.9%), which has already confirmed relegation. However, Nottingham is situated quite high in the competition for Champions League qualification.

The BBC noted, "Leicester City's average possession during the 2015-2016 season, in which they won the league, was 42.4%. This is the lowest record among the top 4 teams in Premier League history. However, Nottingham is recording significantly lower figures, and if they finish the season in this state, they will set a milestone as the first 'top 4 with a possession rate in the 30s.'"

Nottingham's strategy is clear. Instead of traditional 'ball possession and buildup,' they rely on defensive organization and quick transitions. According to the BBC, coach Nuno Espírito Santo emphasized, "We have our own identity. We hold firm at the back and create opportunities with threatening counterattacks."

As coach Nuno stated, Nottingham leads the league in the number of matches where they scored the first goal (24 games) and has secured victories in all matches where they maintained a 2-0 lead. The defense-oriented tactic and concise counterattacks have produced substantial efficiency.

The BBC evaluated that "Nottingham rejects the formula that 'possession equals superiority.' What matters is how effectively opportunities are utilized." Indeed, Nottingham showcased high efficiency by scoring 2 goals out of 3 shots on target against Tottenham.

Supporting this strategy is a solid defensive line and one of the league's best goalkeepers, Mattia Sells. The BBC highlighted that "Sells currently holds the record for the most clean sheets (13 matches) in the Premier League this season, even blocking several opposing attacks in the match against Liverpool."

Nottingham is also ranked highly among the 20 teams in key defensive metrics such as clearances, headed clearances, tackles, and interceptions. Coach Santo remarked, "We help each other and create balance. This is our way."

Finally, the BBC stated, "While other teams delve into possession football, Nottingham is redefining the Premier League with their 'courage to give up the ball.' They are more than qualified to participate in European competitions."

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