Nottingham Forest ended the season with Premier League survival secured and having reached the Europa League semui-finals
06:00, 30 May 2026
Nottingham Forest celebrate Morgan Gibbs-White's goal against Bournemouth
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Nottingham Forest celebrate Morgan Gibbs-White's goal against Bournemouth(Image: Getty)
It has been quite the season for Nottingham Forest, navigating a survival battle with a European adventure.
Throw in playing under four different managers and the Reds deserve much credit for achieving Premier League safety with two games to spare. They couldn’t quite get past eventual winners Aston Villa in the Europa League semi-finals as injuries took their toll, but reaching the last four of the competition was still some achievement.
Forest and head coach Vitor Pereira will have plenty to reflect on this summer as they prepare to go again in 2026/27. The aim will be to finish higher up the table and get back to playing on the continent.
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Before then, it is time for the Nottingham Post’s end-of-season player ratings. We have not graded those players who left the club in January.
Matz Sels: Was always going to be difficult to match last term’s Golden Glove-winning efforts, especially with everything that went on. Nevertheless, the Belgian found form at the back end of the campaign and came to his team’s rescue on more than one occasion. Rating: 8/10
Stefan Ortega: Proved a great bit of business, arriving effectively as a free transfer from Manchester City near the end of the winter window. Having that competition seemed to push Sels and gave Pereira a selection headache. A shame he made only 10 appearances in the end. Rating: 8/10
John Victor: Despite doing OK in previous outings, the Brazilian’s season will be remembered for events at Villa Park in January. Made a howler against Villa and then departed in tears after sustaining an injury. That proved to be his campaign over. Rating: 5/10
Angus Gunn: A 45-minute second-half run-out in February’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace proved to be the sum of the Scot’s contribution. He is out of contract this summer and almost certain to leave on a free transfer. Rating: 6/10
Neco Williams: Fully deserving of the club’s Player of the Season award. The most consistent performer over the course of the campaign. Gave nothing less than total commitment whenever he stepped out on the pitch. Rating: 9/10
Ola Aina: Not exactly a vintage year for the full-back, who was hampered by injury. He still had his moments, though, and remains a key member of the back line and a big character in the dressing room. Forest missed him during the run-in. Rating: 7/10
Nicolo Savona: Showed potential but also some naivety before injury ended his season early. Having a couple of Premier League goals under his belt is not a bad stat to build on. Still a bit of work to be done to fully find his feet. Rating: 6/10
Luca Netz: Like Savona, a bit rough around the edges but definitely seems to have something about him. The winter window signing can be pleased with his first foray into English football. If anything, he deserved to have played more than he did. Rating: 7/10
Murillo: How crucial that last-ditch clearance to preserve a point away to Manchester City proved to be. It would surely have made a big difference had the Brazilian been available for the Europa League semi-final, too. Rating: 8/10
Nikola Milenkovic: Set the bar so high last season, the going was somewhat tougher this time around. Hasn’t quite been at his best in recent weeks, especially, but will surely be back to his usual standard when the new term begins. Rating: 7/10
Morato: Still looks like he always has an error in him, but the Brazilian has actually been fairly steady of late. Forest reportedly turned down an offer for him in the winter window, and they can consider that a good decision in the end as he was needed when injuries hit. Rating: 7/10
Jair Cunha: There’s been a lot to like about the 21-year-old since his summer move. Can feel hard done by that he went for so long with barely any minutes. Looks like the Reds have got a gem on their hands - although he is definitely not a full-back. Rating: 8/10
Zach Abbott: Picked himself up after that tough evening against Leeds United in February when he was played out of position. Has given an excellent account of himself otherwise and was unfortunate with that blow to the head away to Chelsea. Rating: 7.5/10
Willy Boly: Made a couple of appearances early on in the season, then was left out of the revised Premier League and Europa League squads amid injury woe. Likely to move on as a free agent this summer. Rating: 6/10
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Ibrahim Sangare: Really showed his worth this term. For various reasons, his first few years at the City Ground were not easy but Forest have now seen the player they always hoped they were getting. Such a key cog in this team. Rating: 8.5/10
Elliot Anderson: Absolute star quality and a joy to watch. Not only that, his performances and the way he conducted himself following the death of his mother show the measure of him as a human being, too. Is certain to light up the World Cup. Rating: 9/10
Ryan Yates: That night in Denmark, against Midtjylland, typified what the club captain is all about. He still has a fighting spirit and will give his all. He is also capable of popping up with some big moments, whatever the stage. Rating: 7/10
Nicolas Dominguez: Might not necessarily capture the headlines in the same way as Anderson and Sangare, but there is no doubting the work the Argentine does. He has got backward headed goals down to a fine art. Rating: 8/10
Morgan Gibbs-White: Almost single-handedly dragged the Reds to safety in the latter stages of the season. Leader, talisman and absolutely bags of talent. What was Thomas Tuchel thinking not taking him to the World Cup? Rating: 9/10
James McAtee: Much was expected of the former Manchester City man following his £30 million switch, but his first year Trentside proved a bit underwhelming. Showed glimpses of what he is capable of, though, so next season could be a big one for him. Rating: 6/10
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Callum Hudson-Odoi: Hadn’t quite been at his best before his campaign came to a premature end. Indeed, the winger’s season-ending injury actually resulted in Forest hitting upon a set-up that worked, with Chris Wood and Igor Jesus both playing. Rating: 6/10
Dan Ndoye: It all started off so well, when the summer signing scored on the opening day. Struggled to hit those early heights again as the season went on and it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if he moves on during the transfer window. Rating: 5/10
Omari Hutchinson: Being left out of the Europa League squad for the league phase of the competition and struggling for minutes early on in the season clearly dented the winger’s confidence. Has since shown what he is capable of but needs to find consistency. Rating: 6.5/10
Dilane Bakwa: Looked lost before Pereira came in and put an arm around him. Difficult to really judge the 23-year-old as a chaotic campaign seems to have particularly affected him. A total of 11 starts tells its own story. Rating: 5/10
Chris Wood: How differently things might have panned out had the New Zealander not been sidelined for such a long time is one of the big ‘what ifs?’ of Forest’s season. He was sorely missed and has admitted his knee problem still needs to be managed.Rating: 7/10
Taiwo Awoniyi: Few moments will have brought as big a smile to many faces as the forward scoring for the first time since that sickening collision with a goalpost. Everyone on the Forest bench and in the away end rose to their feet when he found the net against Brentford. Did his bit during the run-in, too. Rating: 7.5/10
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Igor Jesus: At home in the Europa League, where he finished as joint top scorer in the competition with seven goals. Found the Premier League tougher but looked more at ease once his role changed following the return of Wood. Rating: 7.5/10
Lorenzo Lucca: When Pereira named two goalkeepers on the bench and the Napoli loanee was nowhere to be seen in the penultimate game, against Manchester United, it said a lot. A signing that didn’t work out and no surprise the purchase option in his deal will not be taken up. Rating: 4/10
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