Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge says Nuno Espirito Santo’s current squad is “lightyears ahead” of the one managed by Steve Cooper in the promotion season of 2022-23.
Forest continued their impressive unbeaten start by stunning Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday with substitute Callum Hudson-Odoi scoring a fine winner off the bench.
“That team at the end had me thinking,” Hodge told BBC Radio Nottingham post-match. “People liked the promotion team that got up under Steve Cooper but I thought that this team against Liverpool is lightyears ahead of that team in terms of maturity, experience, strength, power, speed off the bench, centre forwards.
“The squad in general is packed with young-ish but very experienced players who know the game really well.
“When you win at Anfield after 55 years you enjoy the moment. Whether by hook or by crook or by luck sometimes, the odd team has come here and won.
“Forest’s win wasn’t about luck. It was by planning, organisation and team spirit to dig in at the end. The subs coming on made a difference, the wide players were quick, direct and both involved in the goal that mattered.
“It was the perfect away performance.”
When asked if it was the most impressive display since Forest’s return to the Premier League, Hodge added: “By a country mile.
“To come here and keep a clean sheet when they’ve got a new manager, three wins out of three and are flying.
“You can nick a win anywhere but it was about how they won. It was comfortable.”
Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds