The turning point of the season was…
It depends which way you look at it. It could be the fall out between Edu and Nuno Espirito Santo last summer, which ultimately paved the way for Nuno’s departure after just three games and the chaos that came in the following weeks and months.
Or it is appointing Vitor Pereira in February, who steadied the ship, reassured the players and guided Forest to safety.
This season has exceeded/not matched up to expectation because…
Forest’s recent seasons have not been quiet – relegation battles or challenging for Champions League qualification – and this was no exception. It matched the expectation of upheaval but it did not meet what was demanded on the pitch. Forest wanted to build on last season’s seventh place, especially after spending £180m, and did not plan for a season of struggle.
Based off performances this year, the player who could break through next campaign is…
Defender Zach Abbott is highly rated by Vitor Pereira, despite making only 10 appearances this season, and could make a further step up next term.
The one player/coach who deserves more credit is…
Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White grabbed most of the headlines but Nikola Milenkovic continued to do his job at the back, perhaps not as consistently as the previous season but who was? He remains crucial to Forest while striker Igor Jesus deserves plaudits in his role in Chris Wood’s absence as he adapted to the Premier League in his debut season.
The goal for the summer has to be…
Stability. Vitor Pereira has already called for that and he will sign a new contract over the summer, having penned an 18-month deal when he joined in February. There needs to be calm, not chaos, over the summer.