Nottinghamshire

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Season score out of 10 and overriding emotion?

3/10... possibly 4/10. It has literally been a season of four parts - four different managers and four different sets of emotions. From the excitement at the start of the season, to almost immediate disappointment, dissolution, and then hope and pride again.

Best moment and why?

Was it taking a 1-0 lead into the second leg of our Europa League semi-final? Was it beating Liverpool 3-0 at Anfield? Or was it thrashing Sunderland 5-0 when we were desperately fighting relegation? For a disappointing season, there has been a number of moments - but perhaps just being in Europe for the first time in 30 years was a season-long high.

Player of season and why?

Neco Williams was the frontrunner for a long time - throughout the good and the bad, he was unbelievably consistent. But it is impossible not to mention Elliot Anderson, whose statistics prove he is already an elite player. However, it was Morgan Gibbs-White who really shone in the final run-in. He produced possibly the best form of his life, which makes his England exclusion all the more baffling. His 18 goals and seven assists is still only half the story - his commitment, dedication and work-rate are on another level.

Unsung hero and why?

Ibrahim Sangare is perhaps the quiet revelation of this season. The record signing from almost three years ago has finally proven he is the player many of us knew he could be, even after contracting malaria as well as numerous injuries. Our midfield looked bereft without him in the games he wasn't available.

Biggest disappointment?

Appointing Ange Postecoglou. Everybody knew it was doomed - except the board. In some ways, it is better that it went even worse than imagined and he was gone before any further damage was done.

What needs to change this summer?

Our transfer policy because it didn't exactly go to plan last summer. I imagine several of those signings might be off to other clubs, but the squad needs Premier League-ready players to really strengthen.

Major hope for next season?

To actually have a relatively steady season of growth and progression. Staying well clear of the bottom three and pushing hard for top 10, or even higher, would represent a level of success after some of the turmoil we have been through.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

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Manchester City are leading the race to sign Elliot Anderson, with the Nottingham Forest midfielder leaning towards a move to Etihad Stadium instead of rivals Manchester United.

There is a growing expectation Anderson will leave the City Ground this summer.

United are unwilling to overpay, or get drawn into protracted negotiations.

No deal has been struck between Forest and City and the clubs are far apart on their valuation for the 23-year-old, meaning the situation could still change.

• Read the full news article

Neco Williams believes Nottingham Forest "belong in Europe" and says everyone at the club will "do everything they can" to ensure the Reds secure a spot in either the Champions League, Europa League or Conference League next season.

Vitor Pereira's side reached the Europa League semi-finals but finished just five points above the Premier League relegation zone this season - thought was also only nine points off qualifying for the Conference League.

"Having had that taste of European football this season, that is where I believe Nottingham Forest belong," Williams told BBC Radio Nottingham. "We will do everything we can to achieve that next season.

"This season has been difficult, but there have been lots of memories made. It has been a season us boys can be proud of, but we are just looking forward to next season now.

"Our aim [as a club] is to try to get European football every season.

"I do think that is where we should be aiming at, especially with the owner we have, the ambition he has and the support he gives us as players.

"We will do everything we can to achieve it."

Hit play above to hear the full interview, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Image source, Getty Images

Now the curtain has come down on the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, here is my end-of-season review - with a look back to what I predicted in August.

Prediction: 10th

It is ridiculous that Nottingham Forest found themselves fighting relegation until late in the season, especially given they possess players of the highest quality such as Elliot Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White.

This was the consequence of having four managers in one season.

In appointing Ange Postecoglou to succeed Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest went from one style to another. He was sacked after 39 days and then Sean Dyche, the supposedly pragmatic choice, lasted only 114 days.

Vitor Pereira restored calm and performances finally reflected the standard of the squad.

There is a big summer ahead, though, given the speculation around the future of Anderson.

What I said in August: "No-one can question the ambition of owner Evangelos Marinakis."

Check out the rest of my review here

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest will fight to keep Morgan Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson, with Vitor Pereira insisting they need to continue to build.

The duo will be in-demand this summer with Manchester City and Manchester United interested in England midfielder Anderson.

Gibbs-White only signed a new three-year deal last summer - after Tottenham came in for him - while Murillo penned a one-year extension to 2029 at the weekend.

But after finishing 16th in the Premier League, Pereira outlined his views about the summer.

He said: "They are top players and they deserve the top of the world.

"But I believe if we want to compete for different goals, we need to keep the best players.

"If not, if you change every season, it is difficult to be consistent and difficult to build something stronger.

"We cannot control the market, of course, but I think we are aligned; what I think and what the club thinks is to try to keep most of them and to try to control the market."

The Portuguese was unhappy with Wolves' transfer business last summer while he was at Molineux, believing the club moved too slowly and did not land his top targets.

This time, Pereira wants Forest to act quickly in the window to avoid suffering another season of struggle.

He said: "I believe we have a good squad and have good players. We need to keep most of them and just add competition here and there.

"Let's prepare ourselves to be ready from the beginning. If not, you start losing before you start the season.

"If you start without a squad, start with a lot of players missing, a lot of positions missing and important players [missing] and you start the first games without being prepared, it is a disaster.

"This league punishes you if you make mistakes."

We asked for your views as Nottingham Forest ended their season with a draw against Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Kris: This had an end-of-season feel to it, not quite going through the motions, but a few players seemed to have an eye on the World Cup. Morgan Gibbs-White made his point, but it's one that will fall on deaf ears. The focus for us now has to be a settled pre-season and minimal rebuild before another year of Premier League football.

David: If we can keep the squad together for next season, Champions League is possible!

Paul: Good, solid Premier League performance. Crazy season - fun but exhausting in Europe, largely stressful and disappointing in the league, but only nine points off Europe again after all. Need some stability. If we keep the bulk core of the team and add a couple of new players, including a striker, we'll be in the Champions League places soon enough! Up the Reds!

Clive: Our form at the end of the season is a true reflection of our strengths and abilities. No surprise, considering Vitor and Nuno are similar managers. However, we need to avoid the madness of the changes in between. Nuno embarrassed the owner with his statement, but ultimately, he was correct that Edu was the issue. Mr Marinakis has, I hope, taken to heart the difference between the Premier League and other leagues. We must keep as many players as possible, while wishing the best for those that make us a profit. Exploring the future with this team and manager has wonderful opportunities.

Andy: Well, that's it, another season over and now it's time to relax and get ready for the World Cup - and then we look to go again. If we can keep everyone together and bring in a couple of players to strengthen in certain areas - a keeper, full-back, centre-back and midfielders - we can get back in Europe. A Conference League finish will be great and a good cup run too.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Boss Vitor Pereira has called for stability at Nottingham Forest after their season of upheaval.

The 57-year-old replaced Sean Dyche in February to become Forest's fourth head coach of the season.

Nuno Espirito Santo was dismissed three games into the season, while Ange Postecoglou lasted just 39 days.

Pereira eventually guided Forest to safety with two games to spare, having also taken them to the Europa League semi-finals, but wants a calmer season at the City Ground next term.

"We need stability. In my opinion, now we have created the true spirit. We have friendship and we feel confidence in each other. They believe in the staff and we believe in the players," Pereira said.

"They feel we are here to help them. We are not here to criticise. When they are not at their best level, we are here to try to help them to be at their best level.

"With tactical work, creating the spirit to fight and to play. With time, we can be stronger next season.

"When I say it is important to have the players to work and to prepare for the first games in the league, that is what I believe."