Joe Lolley, Michael Dawson and Lewis Grabban all scored as Nottingham Forest picked up three Championship points under Sabri Lamouchi.
Sabri Lamouchi’s tactics worked to a tee as Nottingham Forest battered Birmingham at the City Ground on Saturday. And, speaking to Quest, even former Derby County manager Gary Rowett was impressed.
After an opening day defeat to West Brom and a fortunate draw away at Leeds, Lamouchi picked up his first win since replacing Martin O’Neill in the East Midlands.
The former Rennes boss looked set to introduce a more possession-heavy style at Nottingham Forest but he defied expectations when Birmingham came to town, allowing the visitors to hog the ball before hitting them on the counter.
It worked perfectly. Joe Lolley, Lewis Grabban and Michael Dawson were all on the score sheet in a 3-0 win and Rowett couldn’t hide his admiration for the way Lamouchi set his side up.
“Excellent management, he got it spot on. 47 per cent possession at home but I don’t think it’s a problem,” said Rowett, who led Derby into the play-offs and started his Championship career at St Andrews.
“With Birmingham’s new system, they’re going to come on to them and be a little bit more expansive. (Lamouchi) has obviously looked to exploit that on the counter at times and find those gaps.
“They did it really well and it looked like they won at a canter.”
Just three games into the Lamouchi era, Nottingham Forest fans should be encouraged by the manager’s willingness to adapt his tactics to suit the opposition. He spotted a weakness in Birmingham’s style and then sent out a team to, in Rowett’s own words, exploit it.
And with new signings Samba Sow, Alfa Semedo and Sammy Ameobi all impressing, it could be an exciting season at the City Ground.
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