The Reds have gone from promise to despair. After the shocking sacking of Nuno Espírito Santo due to a dispute with the owner, the club has fallen into the bottom three and has appointed two managers since – Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche. It seems like this season will be defined by a relegation scrap but there are some positives with a few standout performers.
The Silver Linings: The Performers
Despite the on-field and off-field issues at the City Ground, there is optimism. Strong performances from players such as Chris Wood, Elliot Anderson and Igor Jesus have been the silver linings. This season, Wood hasn’t been as prolific as he was last year but his involvement in the attack is still influential. Anderson is the engine in midfield – his strong work ethic, defensive solidity, and versatility are crucial in helping the Reds in the middle of the park.
But there has been one standout player: Igor Jesus. The 24-year-old, who signed from Botafogo for £10 million, has scored five goals in all competitions and looks lethal in the box. His silky skills and his efficiency in the Europa League could offer the Reds a distraction from their Premier League struggles.
The Negatives: Defence
One noticeable change in recent matches has been how open they are at the back. Their most formidable feature under Nuno was their stability in defence. However, this is now a weakness as they have conceded 19 goals in 10 games and haven’t kept a clean sheet yet.
Murillo and Nikola Milenković, who were once a tough centre-back pairing, have gone from solid to leaky. Forest’s discipline around set-pieces isn’t great either – the last two goals they conceded were from corners. This will give Sean Dyche something to think about as they plan their survival in the Premier League.
Summary
The question facing Nottingham Forest is how will they be able to quickly turn things around. With European competition and issues needing to be addressed, it seems like this will be a season for them to remember or forget. If Sean Dyche gets it right, then they could be competitive in Europe and stay another year in the Premier League. If he gets it wrong, an inevitable drop to the Championship awaits.