#16 Nottingham Forest: Back After 23 Years
It has been a long time coming for Nottingham Forest. One of only four English clubs to have won the European Cup on more than one occasion are back in the top flight after a 23-year absence.
During that lengthy spell outside the Premier League, Forest only got remotely close to making it back three times before they finally won promotion last season. They even spent three campaigns in League One, competing alongside the likes of Scunthorpe United, Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United. It was a far cry from the days of conquering Europe with the legendary Brian Clough at the helm.
See our predictions for all the teams in the 22/23 Premier League season here.
Forest fans feel they are now back where they belong. Most of the credit for their return to the Premier League must go to Steve Cooper, who did a magnificent managerial job last time out. When he took charge in September, no one in Nottingham was even thinking about promotion. Avoiding another demotion to League One was the priority at the City Ground – and for good reason. When Cooper’s predecessor Chris Hughton was sacked, Forest were bottom of the table with just one point from a possible 21.
It did not take long for Cooper to make an impact. By Christmas Forest were on the cusp of the top six. By the end of the campaign they were fourth, before victories over Sheffield United and Huddersfield Town in the play-offs earned them a place in the Premier League. Had the season started when Cooper took charge, Forest would have been champions.
Keeping the club in the top tier will be challenging, but we can expect Forest to make a good fist of it. They have been very active in the transfer market, and the need to replace several loanees who were first-team regulars last term means Forest’s starting XI on the opening day could be quite different to the one that ended the season against Huddersfield at Wembley. As things stand, though, Forest look like the promoted team most likely to finish above the dreaded dotted line.
Predicted XI (3-4-1-2)
Dean Henderson; Moussa Niakhate, Scott McKenna, Joe Worrall; Harry Toffolo, Ryan Yates, Lewis O’Brien, Neco Williams; Jesse Lingard; Taiwo Awoniyi, Brennan Johnson.
The coach
Cooper has been regarded as a bright coach for a while now, but last season was undoubtedly the best in club football. The Welshman had an undistinguished playing career back home and decided to turn his hand to coaching early on, a decision which gave him a headstart on those who only hung up their boots in their mid-to-late 30s. Cooper obtained his UEFA Pro Licence at the age of just 27, making him one of the youngster ever holders of the highest coaching qualification in Europe.
Cooper was appointed England Under-16 manager in 2014, before making the step up to Under-17 level a year later. It was with that age group that he won the World Cup in 2017, working with players who have since become household names, such as Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho, Marc Guehi, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Conor Gallagher and Emile Smith Rowe.
Cooper’s first club job was with Swansea City, whom he qualified for the Championship play-offs twice without success. It was thus a case of third time lucky for the 42-year-old last term, and Cooper will now get the chance to demonstrate his acumen on the biggest stage of all in 2022/23. A smart tactician who has a proven track record of improving players, both young and old, Cooper has also succeeded in restoring a sense of togetherness and team spirit to the Forest ranks.
Player to watch
From a neutral’s perspective, it was pleasing to see Brennan Johnson commit his immediate future to Forest this summer.
The local lad – he was born in Nottingham and joined the club’s academy at the age of eight – recently penned a new four-year deal after speculation that he could seek pastures new before the transfer window closes at the start of September. Instead, Johnson has sensibly determined that playing regular football in a familiar environment is the best thing for his burgeoning career right now.
With the way he performed, it was hard to believe last season was Johnson’s first as a Championship player. A return of eighteen goals and 10 assists demonstrates how effective he was alongside Keinan Davis, while his speed in transition makes him a fantastic fit for Cooper’s counter-attacking style. The fearless 21-year-old will not be daunted by the bright lights of the Premier League.
Transfers
In
Taiwo Awoniyi (Union Berlin), Giulian Biancone (Troyes), Dean Henderson (Manchester United, loan), Moussa Niakhate (Mainz), Omar Richards (Bayern Munich), Neco Williams (Liverpool), Wayne Hennessey (Burnley), Brandon Aguilera (Alajuelense), Harry Toffolo (Huddersfield Town), Lewis O’Brien (Huddersfield Town), Jesse Lingard (Manchester United), Orel Mangala (Stuttgart)
Out
Gaetan Bong (Released), Tobias Figueiredo (Hull City), Carl Jenkinson (Released), Brice Samba (Lens), Nicholas Ioannou (Como)
Our Premier League score card
Goalkeeper: 7/10
When it started to become clear that Brice Samba did not intend to stay at the City Ground beyond the summer, Forest fans feared the worst. It was the Congolese’s heroics in the penalty shoot-out triumph over Sheffield United that saw Forest through to the play-off final, and his all-round performances throughout the season marked him out as one of the best goalkeepers in the Football League.
Yet while Samba will be missed, Forest could hardly have secured a better replacement. It is easy to forget now but it is only just over 12 months since Dean Henderson was starting between the sticks for Manchester United. Had David de Gea not performed so brilliantly last year, the England international might be United’s No.1 right now. Forest have pulled off a coup in attracting him to the East Midlands.
Defence: 6/10
Only Bournemouth conceded fewer goals than Forest last term, and the latter had a better defensive record if you exclude Hughton’s ill-fated period in charge. Cooper has already brought in two new centre-backs in Moussa Niakhate and Giulian Biancone, which suggests he is not entirely convinced that the Joe Worrall-Steve Cook-Scott McKenna trident is good enough for the Premier League.
Cook is the likeliest member of that trio to drop out of the starting XI, but his top-flight experience means he will be a useful person to have around the squad. In time the 22-year-old Biancone could force his way into the team, but chemistry is particularly important when it comes to defending and Cooper may want to stick with Worrall and McKenna initially.
Midfield: 6/10
Cooper was forced to go back to the drawing board when it comes to wing-backs, with Djed Spence and Max Lowe leaving at the end of their loan spells. Harry Toffolo was second only to Spence in the hierarchy of right wing-backs in the Championship last season, and Neco Williams has been signed from Liverpool on the left.
James Garner is another former loanee who has returned to his parent club, in his case Manchester United. Only one member of last season’s first-choice midfield quartet, Ryan Yates, remains at the City Ground. He will be partnered in the engine room by Lewis O’Brien, who has joined Toffolo in swapping Huddersfield for the club that beat the Terriers in the play-off final.
Attack: 7/10
Keinan Davis is another player who has returned to his parent club, in his case Aston Villa. There has been talk that Forest want to bring him back to the City Ground for another year, but Steven Gerrard may want to keep him at Villa to challenge Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins up front.
The thrilling Brennan Johnson is good enough to shine at this level, and it will be interesting to see how he links up with new boy Taiwo Awoniyi. The Nigerian found the back of the net 15 times in the Bundesliga for Union Berlin last term, but we will have to see how long it takes him to adapt to English football.
Philip Zinckernagel, the go-to attacking midfielder last term, will be replaced in that role by Jesse Lingard. The former Manchester United man is a hugely exciting addition. He will bring dynamism, energy and technical quality to the attacking midfield role.
Bench: 6/10
Forest’s squad has changed a great deal in recent years and there looks set to be significant turnover again this summer. Some of the current back-up options will struggle to raise their game to Premier League level, with the midfield looking particularly vulnerable if Forest were to suffer one or two injuries.
More strength in depth is also required in forward areas, where it should not be too difficult to find upgrades on Xande Silva and Nuno da Costa.
Final score: 32/50
Nottingham Forest have momentum behind them after last season’s stunning turnaround, and in Steve Cooper they have one of the brightest young coaches around in their dugout. Forest will be competitive this term and it would not be a surprise to see them make a strong start to the season. This team has enough about it to survive in the Premier League.
