Nottingham Forest have a huge couple of months ahead of them under Vitor Pereira, with their Premier League future still hanging firmly in the balance with seven games remaining.
The victory over Tottenham Hotspur before the ongoing international break extended the gap to the drop zone to three points, certainly injecting a feel-good factor back at the City Ground.
However, the pending appointment of Roberto De Zerbi in North London could hand Spurs a vital lift - with the Reds needing to emulate their recent performances to secure survival.
vitor-pereira-nottingham-forest
Pereira will also have to balance the European campaign alongside the league, with the Reds set to face Porto in the quarter-final of the Europa League after the break.
If his side are to achieve any of the goals currently on the table, the performances of one first-team player will certainly play a huge part in the months ahead.
The stats behind Elliot Anderson’s success at Forest in 2025/26
After joining Forest for a reported £30m back in the summer of 2024, very few fans would have predicted the impact of Elliot Anderson in the East Midlands.
The 23-year-old has since cemented his place at the heart of the Reds midfield in recent times, arguably becoming one of the club’s most important players at present.
elliot-anderson-nottingham-forest
He’s started every league game so far this term, subsequently producing numerous incredible stats that rank him at the top of other players in the senior ranks.
Anderson has registered 2800 touches of the ball in the Premier League this campaign, with such a tally ranking him higher than any other player in the division this season.
He’s also made 250 ball recoveries and won 68 fouls in 2025/26, with both of the aforementioned tallies also the highest of any player in England’s top-flight.
The Forest star who’s now becoming the next Cash
As a result of Anderson’s impressive performances, he’s been linked with numerous big-money moves ahead of the summer, with the likes of Manchester United and Manchester City both interested.
Elliot Anderson for Nottingham Forest
However, losing a key player wouldn’t be alien to Forest fans, with the club often having to offload their stars to other sides further up the footballing pyramid.
Matty Cash is just one example, subsequently leaving the Reds for a fee in the region of £15m during the summer of 2020 in order to join Aston Villa.
The Polish international, who’s a product of the club’s academy, racked up 141 senior appearances for the club - with his final campaign undoubtedly being his best.
Former boss Sabri Lamouchi converted the 28-year-old into a right-back from a right winger, subsequently registering eight goal contributions and making the EFL Team of the Season.
matty-cash-forest
Whilst he departed the City Ground six years ago this summer, Pereira appears to have unearthed his own version of the star in fellow full-back Neco Williams.
The Welsh international joined the Reds as a right-back from Liverpool back in the summer of 2022, often being a dependable option when featuring in his natural position.
However, in recent months, the 24-year-old has shifted to a left-back role - a position that has caused Forest no end of trouble over the past few seasons.
Williams has since taken to the position like a duck to water, even keeping out the likes of Luca Netz and Oleksandr Zinchenko from featuring in their natural position.
Neco Williams celebrates for Forest
He missed the 3-1 defeat against Leeds United this season, with his absence hugely felt at Elland Road, as no player could offer the threat he does at either end of the pitch.
The former Liverpool star has now started every league game since Pereira’s arrival, even registering two assists in the recent triumph over Tottenham before the break.
Neco Williams - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Games played
Goals & assists
Pass accuracy
Chances created
Cross accuracy
Dribble success
Duels won
Fouls won
His ability to deliver pinpoint crosses into the box, coupled with his tremendous ball-winning ability - has certainly made him one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Anderson has certainly played his part at the heart of the side, but Williams’ contributions in the full-back areas have often been massively overlooked in recent weeks.
Should he continue producing the goods towards the closing stages of the season, there’s no reason why he can’t help the Reds secure a fifth season of Premier League football in a row.
brazil-national-team Related
Nottingham Forest make contact to sign Brazilian who Liverpool compared to Vinicius Jr after Chelsea talks
He was once a concrete target for the Blues.