NOTTINGHAM FOREST
FOREST WILL BE THE SECOND TEAM FOR NOSTALGISTS AGED 30 AND OVER
THE PLAN
For Nottingham Forest’s first Premier League campaign in nearly a quarter of a century, the primary target will not be survival, but beating Derby’s record- low 11 points total. Even in such rarefied company, local pride trumps most things. More tangibly, of course staying up will be the number one aim, and Forest have as good a chance as any promoted team. Owner Evangelos Marinakis is ambitious, which in these situations is a quick way of saying “he’ll spend a lot of cash” – £ 17m has gone on former Liverpool frontman Taiwo Awoniyi, who averaged a goal every other game for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga last term. Four of last season’s key players were loans – Djed Spence has moved elsewhere – so summer business will have to pay off, but survival is more than possible.
LESSON FROM LAST YEAR
Don’t make a mess of this now. The sentiment among Forest fans might initially reek of ‘ just happy to be here’, but not within the club. Planning for the Premier League started well before promotion was secured, and a repeat of last season’s strong recruitment will be required, when ex- Bournemouth pair Sam Surridge and the experienced centre- back Steve Cook really helped from January. The main lesson, though, is simple: trust Steve Cooper. The boss is loved in the stands and the dressing room like no one since Brian Clough, and the England Under- 17 World Cupwinning coach deserves a swing at the top flight. “I keep using the expression ‘ like a whipped dog’,” said defender Joe Worrall. “If you treat any dog with kindness, then they become a nice dog.” Time for this dog to have its day.
THE MOOD
Buoyant barely covers it. Twenty- three years is a long time to be away from the Premier League, and the scenes that followed the play- off final victory over Huddersfield will continue long after the top- flight novelty has worn off. Not even losing play- off shootout cult hero Brice Samba, replaced by Manchester United’s Dean Henderson on loan, can burst this Red balloon.
ONE TO WATCH
He’s not Forest’s best player, nor their most important, but it’ll be fascinating to see how Ryan Yates adapts to the elite level. The homegrown midfielder was the source of significant frustration before Cooper grabbed the reins, but his improvement during the promotion season was exceptional.
MOST LIKELY TO...
Be the second team of sentimental, misty- eyed nostalgists over the age of 30. People often said how Forest were a ‘ proper’ team that belonged back in the top tier. Now they have their wish.
LEAST LIKELY TO...
Sustain that status come season’s end. Sure, everyone loves the former kings of Europe’s redemptive arc, but sooner or later they’ll tire of all the whimsical reminiscences with customary Clough mention, and wish they’d just sod off back to the Championship.
FFT VERDICT 19TH
From the ridiculous to sublime, Forest dazzled last term. On paper this looks steep – but they’ve amazed us once...