After the appointment of Vitor Pereira at Nottingham Forest, many fans didn’t know what to expect from the 57-year-old after his dismal end to his time at Wolves.
He took charge of his first Reds game on Thursday night, subsequently helping the side claim a hugely impressive 3-0 away victory over Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.
Pereira’s side completely dominated the hosts during the Europa League clash, which has allowed them to take a huge stride towards a place in the last 16.
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However, the biggest challenge the new manager faces is keeping the Reds in the division, with the fans no doubt hoping such performances can be replicated in the Premier League.
The Reds’ future in such a division will no doubt be down to the impact of one player, with Pereira needing to utilise one senior member of the squad in every game before the season finishes.
The impact of Gibbs-White during Pereira’s debut match
During the 3-0 triumph against Fenerbahçe on Thursday night, Pereira decided to operate with captain Morgan Gibbs-White in the number ten position.
The decision proved to be a phenomenal one, with the England international managing to provide the goods in the final third throughout, with his stats showcasing his impressive display.
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The 26-year-old managed to pop up with an assist for Igor Jesus’ latest Europa League goal, whilst finding the back of the net just minutes into the second half.
The Englishman managed to create two chances alongside his goal, whilst completing six passes into the final third, often being the architect for the Reds when in possession.
Gibbs-White also won 100% of the aerial duels he entered, whilst also making four ball recoveries - highlighting his sensational workmanlike style without the ball.
Such a showing highlights why he’s been handed the captain’s armband in recent months, with the attacking midfielder undoubtedly one of the club’s biggest talents.
The Forest star who’s becoming Pereira’s most important player
Over the next few weeks, new boss Pereira will no doubt start to get a closer look at the players within the Forest squad, with the 57-year-old tasked with keeping the club in the division.
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Given the £200m spent by the hierarchy during the summer transfer window, there’s no denying that the side is brimming with quality, with the Portuguese boss needing to extract the best out of them.
The showing in Turkey on Thursday night was no doubt an impressive one, which saw the likes of Ibrahim Sangare and Gibbs-White massively impress once again.
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Pereira now has the opportunity to build on the display against Fenerbahçe this Sunday when Liverpool come to the City Ground, with Neco Williams needing to be in the starting eleven once again.
The Welshman has endured a superb rise in the East Midlands over the last few months, which has seen him become one of the most consistent players in the senior ranks.
Neco Williams celebrates for Forest
He’s now appeared in 34 matches for the Reds across all competitions this season, including in every single European game in the 2025/26 campaign.
However, his display against the Turkish outfit on Thursday night was one of his best in recent times, with his stats demonstrating how crucial he was during the 3-0 triumph.
Williams featured for the entirety of the win against Fenerbahçe, managing to complete 97% of the passes he attempted, along with a 100% dribble success rate.
He also created one chance for his teammates, whilst also completing five passes into the final third - further demonstrating his quality with the ball at his feet.
Neco Williams - stats against Fenerbahçe
Statistics
Minutes played
Touches
Pass accuracy
Dribbles completed
Chances created
Tackles made
Ball recoveries
Duels won
The Welshman also managed to star without possession, subsequently making three tackles and five ball recoveries - playing a key role in the latest clean sheet.
To top off his excellent display, he also managed to win 86% of the ground duels he entered, which restricted the opposition to very limited chances throughout the contest.
All the aforementioned stats were produced by Williams while operating in an unnatural role, which further highlights how impressive he’s been in recent times.
The 24-year-old has certainly cemented himself as one of the club’s most influential players, with his absence being massively felt during the defeat against Leeds.
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Gibbs-White’s impact in the final third will always gain the most attention, but it’s safe to say Williams has become an unsung hero within the ranks over recent months.
If Pereira is to secure the club’s long-term future in the division, he will have to utilise the full-back in every game, with his quality there for all to see in recent weeks.
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