Nottingham Forest 2025-26

2025-26 Season Overview

Nottingham Forest's return to the Premier League has been one of the division's most compelling stories in recent years, and the 2025-26 campaign arrives with genuine expectations of consolidation and progress. Under Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest have established a clear tactical identity built on defensive organisation, quick transitions and the individual quality of a squad that continues to evolve through smart recruitment. The City Ground has rediscovered its voice, and supporters inside one of English football's most historic stadiums are daring to dream again.

The challenge Nuno faces is turning promising performances into sustained league-table momentum. Forest have shown on multiple occasions that they can compete with the Premier League's biggest names on their day, and converting those one-off results into consistent points hauls over a full season is the next step in the club's development. The squad depth brought in during recent transfer windows has given the manager more options, which should prove crucial during the physically demanding winter schedule.

Nottingham Forest's history looms large — two European Cups under Brian Clough represent a standard that every Red generation inherits. While nobody expects an immediate return to those heights, the direction of travel under Nuno suggests a club intent on making its mark. In 2025-26, staying competitive in the top half of the Premier League while playing attractive, purposeful football is the minimum expectation.

Taiwo Awoniyi & the Attacking Threat

Taiwo Awoniyi has become one of the most important figures at the City Ground since joining Nottingham Forest, bringing the physical presence, movement and clinical finishing that the club has long needed at Premier League level. The Nigerian striker's ability to hold up play, bring wide players into the game and time runs in behind opposing defensive lines makes him a constant threat and a difficult assignment for any centre-back pairing in the division.

Awoniyi's international pedigree with Nigeria adds an additional dimension to his profile — players who perform on the continental stage consistently demonstrate the mental resilience required to deliver in high-pressure Premier League moments. His partnership with the creative players behind him is one of Forest's most effective weapons, and when the supply line is functioning, opposing defences can find themselves overwhelmed by his movement and physicality.

Supporting cast quality is vital for any striker, and in 2025-26 the players tasked with providing Awoniyi with service will be as important as the man himself. Forest's wide players and attacking midfielders need to create chances consistently, both from open play and set pieces, if Awoniyi is to reach the goal tallies that keep the Reds competitive in a packed Premier League table.

Nuno's Tactical Blueprint

Nuno Espirito Santo has built a clear tactical blueprint at Nottingham Forest, one that draws on his experience at Wolves, Tottenham and Porto while being tailored to the specific qualities of the squad at his disposal. The shape is disciplined and well-drilled, with defensive compactness and a willingness to concede possession in certain areas before winning it back and transitioning rapidly to attack. In the Premier League, where the margins between victory and defeat are tiny, Forest's ability to execute that plan consistently is their greatest asset.

The manager's influence on the dressing room has been widely acknowledged by the players, who speak of a demanding but fair environment where hard work is rewarded with trust. That atmosphere has translated onto the pitch in the form of a team that works for each other — closing down, covering distances and making sacrifices that don't always show up in the statistics but are obvious to the informed eye.

As the 2025-26 season progresses, the key question is whether Nuno can evolve the system to cope with opponents who have now studied Forest carefully and adapted their approach. Top Premier League managers find ways to solve problems that accumulate over a full season, and the City Ground faithful will be watching closely to see whether their manager's tactical evolution keeps pace with the demands of the division.

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Latest News

Forest earn point against Fulham to move out of relegation zone

Fulham lack 'sharpness' in decision making - Silva on Forest draw

Nottingham Forest need not despair. I sat with the Tottenham fans at Anfield and Richarlison's goal should fool no one - it was a joyless pit of frustration and naked fury at how hollow Igor Tudor and his team are

Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham: Unless Vitor Pereira's side can rediscover their magic at home, they look like they are heading for the Championship, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE

Paul Merson names the only reason Igor Tudor hasn't been sacked as Spurs boss and why he will be 'shocked' if he remains in charge for 'cup final' against Nottingham Forest

Forest climb out of bottom three after stalemate with Fulham

Forest latest: Transfer chief Edu facing uncertain future

Nottingham Forest get major survival boost as injured star man lined up to return for run-in - TOM COLLOMOSSE reveals full details

David Silva backs English sides to thrive in Europa League knockout stages - with Nottingham Forest facing uphill battle before relegation clash with Tottenham

Pereira says it is a ‘pity’ Forest must prioritise Premier League status over Europa League

Midtjylland vs Nottingham Forest: Get £40 in free bets to spend on football with BetMGM

Midtjylland’s innovators aiming to give Forest that sinking feeling

Midtjylland’s innovators aiming to give Forest that sinking feeling

David Silva backs English sides to thrive in Europa League knockout stages - with Nottingham Forest facing uphill battle before relegation clash with Tottenham

Nottingham Forest 0-0 Fulham: Unless Vitor Pereira's side can rediscover their magic at home, they look like they are heading for the Championship, writes TOM COLLOMOSSE

Midtjylland’s innovators aiming to give Forest that sinking feeling

Forest latest: Transfer chief Edu facing uncertain future

Nottingham Forest bench big hitters vs Midtjylland LIVE!

Nottingham Forest bench key players vs Midtjylland LIVE!

Nottingham Forest get major survival boost as injured star man lined up to return for run-in - TOM COLLOMOSSE reveals full details

Analysis & Features

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Nottingham Forest eye ambitious move for Manchester City starlet

Nottingham Forest eye ambitious move for Manchester City’s Tijjani Reijnders

Ibrahim Sangare's new Nottingham Forest deal has fans completely split

Why Nottingham Forest are betting the house on Ousmane Diomande

Why Nottingham Forest making a move for Ousmane Diomande is a smart gamble

Why Ousmane Diomande is the defender Nottingham Forest needed

Why Nottingham Forest under Oliver Glasner is a tactical mismatch

Nottingham Forest fans are losing their minds over the Diomande pursuit

2025-26 Season Overview

Taiwo Awoniyi & the Attacking Threat

Nuno's Tactical Blueprint

Premier League Clubs

World Cup 2026

Competitions