One of England’s oldest clubs is preparing to celebrate its 160th anniversary.

In the English Premier League, four rounds have been played. Too little to draw conclusions. But it is enough to make an impression. For example, it highlights the main feeling of the season so far.

It’s not that bad

And that was Nottingham Forest’s win over Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday. The “foresters” broke Arne Slot’s initial three-game winning streak. By the way, “foresters” are our own invention of “aristocrats” in relation to Chelsea. In England they are “red”, just like Liverpool. Beat Manchester United at Old Trafford with a big score and lose to unsightly Nottingham.

Is Nottingham really bad? In four games, two wins and two draws. Only two goals conceded. Seventh place. On Sunday, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team will play away against another regular hero: Brighton. Not Manchester City-Arsenal, of course, but the game promises to be interesting.

During their time in the Premier League, Brighton have managed to earn a reputation as a strong middle class. Nottingham entered the elite after a long break two years ago. And in both seasons they fought for survival. Sixteenth and seventeenth place. Stay in the upper class and rejoice.

But next year, England’s, and therefore the world’s, second-oldest club will celebrate its 160th anniversary. Nottingham’s only other older club is Notts County, founded in 1861. The neighbours were once trendsetters in the literal sense. Juventus owe their black-and-white striped shirts to Notts County, while Arsenal borrowed their red shirts and white shorts from Nottingham.

But if Notts County’s successes are limited to humanitarian assistance to Italy’s most successful club, then Nottingham lit up in the second half of the 1970s under the guidance of the great Brian Clough. To enter the “old” first division and win it straight away, and then win two European Cups at the same time is a unique achievement. For those interested, the blog “It was recently” can help you. Read it there in detail. But at the end of the twentieth century, the glorious Nottingham Forest fell into disrepair and turned into a penniless knight-errant.

Greek guest

It is not known how long this ordeal would continue until the two-time European club champion became the property of Greek tycoon Evangelos Marinakis. This plump and bearded gentleman, who resembles the famous tenor Luciano Pavarotti or his equally famous compatriot Demis Roussos, has long been the owner of Olympikos. The most successful and popular club in their country. This did not stop Marinakis from buying another of the oldest clubs in England. So, excuse the swear word, got into the Premier League for the first time this century. And there it remained. Of course, the “reds” brought more pain to the owner. Especially against the backdrop of the European triumph of the “legend”. Do not forget that Olympiakos won the last Conference League.

But in December, Portuguese Nuno Espirito Santo was appointed head coach. A bold decision. The former goalkeeper of Porto and Dynamo Moscow was once considered one of the most promising coaches in Europe. He proved himself at Valencia, Porto and Wolverhampton. But he failed at Tottenham. However, Nuno then achieved a golden double: he won the championship and the Cup with Al-Ittihad. But this is in Saudi Arabia. In Europe, there is a stereotype. There are few good coaches among goalkeepers and Nerazzurri. The second thesis is not racism, but pure statistics. Just like the first. But the club management proved to be a modern person and invited Nunu. He justified the trust. He kept the Reds in nuclear submarineand after the off-season he built a decent team.

We went to the market

Of course, one cannot help but notice that Marinakis shook his wallet in the summer. Buying 21-year-old Elliott Anderson from Newcastle for 40 million is an act. Reckless in many ways. Because in his home club the young footballer (he had not yet decided whether he was English or Scottish) did not show anything special. Fourteen million fell on Fiorentina’s account for Nikola Milenkovic. Left winger Ramon Sosa, courted either by Spartak or Zenit, was bought for 12 million by the Argentine Talleres. Benfica received another 10 million for Brazilian defender Morato. Of course, Nottingham also knows how to sell. Three football players were sold at once for 20 million or more. All of them. But the expenses exceeded the expenses by 18 million.

But the expensive recruits quickly adapt to Nuno Espiritu’s game plan. The Foresters score little, one goal per game. But the defense and the experienced Belgian goalkeeper Madz Sels are more than reliable. Of course, the team owes its progress not only to the recruits. The only goal against Liverpool was scored by Callum Hudson-Odoi, who shone at Chelsea a few years ago but faded away at Bayer Leverkusen. Now the 24-year-old winger is trying to restart his career.

The English championship has just begun. But Nottingham’s start is encouraging. Nuno Espirito’s team cannot dream of great goals. But we are perfectly capable of celebrating the anniversary with dignity.