
Nottingham Forest has been one of the most surprising and impressive stories of the 2025 English Premier League season. Once battling relegation, the club has now turned the tide with consistent performances, tactical discipline, and standout displays from key players. Under astute management and with a renewed fighting spirit, Forest has climbed the table, secured crucial wins against top-tier sides, and earned praise for their organized defense and creative attacking play. This blog takes a closer look at how Nottingham Forest transformed into one of the EPL’s most formidable teams this season, highlighting the factors behind their resurgence and what it means for their future.
So, English Premier League fans read it full, it will be exciting.
Nottingham Forest Performance Review in last 5 Years :
Season | League | Position | Key Achievements | Top Scorer | Manager(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020/21 | Championship | 17th | Struggled mid-table, managerial changes | Lewis Grabban (6) | Sabri Lamouchi → Chris Hughton |
2021/22 | Championship | 4th (Promoted via playoffs) | Historic promotion! Beat Huddersfield in playoff final (1-0) | Brennan Johnson (16) | Steve Cooper |
2022/23 | Premier League | 16th | Survived on final day, first PL season in 23 years | Taiwo Awoniyi (10) | Steve Cooper |
2023/24 | Premier League | 12th | Comfortable mid-table, improved defense | Taiwo Awoniyi (12) | Nuno Santo |
2024/25 | Premier League | 3rd | Might go for Champions League next season | Chris Woods (19) | Chris Woods |
Key Notes:
- 2021/22: The most pivotal season—Cooper’s arrival transformed Forest from relegation candidates to playoff winners.
- 2022/23: A nervy survival campaign, but Awoniyi’s goals and Keylor Navas’ loan heroics kept them up.
- 2023/24: Stabilized with smarter signings (e.g., Murillo, Elanga) and tactical maturity.
- 2024/25: The peak so far—competing for Europe, beating top clubs, and playing fearless football.
Other Records : Cup Performances
- FA Cup:
- 2022/23: Quarter-finals (lost to Man Utd)
- 2023/24: 4th Round (narrow defeat to Liverpool)
- EFL Cup:
- 2021/22: Semi-finals (heroic run as a Championship side)
Key Factors Behind Nottingham Forest Success in EPL 2025 :
Key Managers’ Contributions:
- Steve Cooper (2021–2024):
- Promotion to the Premier League: Cooper’s leadership during the 2021/22 season was pivotal in securing Forest’s promotion to the Premier League via the playoffs. His tactical discipline and motivation turned a mid-table Championship team into playoff winners.
- Premier League Survival: In the 2022/23 season, despite a nervy finish, Cooper managed to keep the team in the Premier League, using a blend of youth and experience, including standout performances from Taiwo Awoniyi and Keylor Navas.
- Defensive Stability and Progress: By the 2023/24 season, Cooper had instilled a more solid defensive structure, making Forest a competitive mid-table team with impressive results against top sides.
- Nuno Espírito Santo (2024–Present):
- Tactical Shift: Nuno’s appointment in 2024 brought fresh tactical ideas. His high pressing game and strategic approach to matchups have allowed Forest to compete at a higher level, especially against elite teams.
- Pushing for European Spots: Under Nuno, Forest has shown resilience and a more direct attacking style, which has been crucial in their top-four push in the 2024/25 season. Key wins over teams like Manchester City and Liverpool have boosted their European ambitions.
Key Players’ Contributions for Nottingham Forest :
- Taiwo Awoniyi:
- Goal Scoring Power: Awoniyi’s transition from a promising forward to a reliable goal scorer has been crucial. His performances, especially in the 2022/23 season, kept the team afloat in the Premier League.
- Leadership in Attack: His ability to score important goals and link up play has made him an essential part of the team’s rise over the last few seasons.
- Chris Wood:
- Impact After Arrival: Initially brought in as a replacement for Awoniyi during his injury, Wood’s arrival in 2023 became a game-changer. His goal-scoring ability, particularly his aerial prowess and knack for finding the back of the net, made him the club’s top scorer in the 2024/25 season.
- Leadership: Wood’s presence has provided Forest with the clinical edge they needed, especially when key players like Awoniyi were unavailable.
- Brennan Johnson:
- Young Talent Development: Johnson’s rise as one of Forest’s most dangerous wingers has been key in breaking down opposition defenses. His pace, creativity, and ability to score crucial goals played a significant role in the team’s success in the Championship and their transition to the Premier League.
- Continued Development: Even though his role became less central in the top-flight, Johnson’s contributions in key moments have kept Forest competitive in higher divisions.
- Keylor Navas (Loan in 2022/23):
- Goalkeeping Heroics: Navas’ loan spell in the 2022/23 season brought crucial stability at the back, especially during the tight relegation battle. His experience and ability to make crucial saves ensured Forest’s survival.
- Renan Lodi:
- Defensive Reinforcement: Lodi’s arrival helped shore up Forest’s defense, providing valuable width and defensive stability, allowing the team to compete more effectively against the top teams.
Team Evolution:
- Tactical Discipline: Over the last five years, the team’s collective defensive discipline has evolved, with Forest’s ability to compete defensively against some of the Premier League’s best being a key factor in their climb up the table.
- Smart Transfers: A mix of experienced internationals and promising young players has helped stabilize the squad. The strategic signings of players like Nuno Tavares, Willy Boly, and Danilo have provided depth and quality to both defense and midfield.
Overall Impact:
- Key Wins: Throughout the 2024/25 season, Forest has delivered crucial wins against top-tier teams, showcasing the maturity and growth of the squad.
- European Push: The tactical flexibility and competitive spirit instilled by both managers have put Forest in a strong position for European qualification, something that seemed impossible just a few years ago.
So, this is how these key managerial decisions and player contributions have helped Nottingham Forest rise from Championship strugglers to a team with Champions League aspirations, reflecting the incredible progress they’ve made in just a few seasons.
Conclusion :
Key Successes and Achievements of Nottingham Forest Football Club in the Last 5 Years (2021–2025)
Category | Details | Year(s) | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Team Performance | Promotion to Premier League | 2021–2022 | Winning the Championship Playoffs, ending a long absence from the top flight. |
Strong Premier League Form | 2024–2025 | Currently sitting in a high league position, exceeding expectations. | |
Impressive Winning Streaks | 2024–2025 | Longest Premier League winning streak since 1995. | |
Notable Wins Against “Big 6” Teams | 2024–2025 | Wins over Manchester United (twice), Manchester City, and Tottenham. | |
Strong Defensive Record | 2024–2025 | Among the best defensive records this season with numerous clean sheets. | |
Individual Players | Brennan Johnson’s Championship Season | 2021–2022 | Top scorer with 16 goals during the promotion campaign. |
Chris Wood’s Goalscoring Form | 2024–2025 | Leading scorer, key figure in the club’s attack. | |
Morgan Gibbs-White’s Impact | 2022–2025 | Consistent performances and awarded Player of the Season. | |
Murillo’s Outstanding Debut Season | 2024–2025 | Standout defender, earning high ratings and accolades. | |
Anthony Elanga’s Assist Record | 2024–2025 | High assist tally, crucial creative player. | |
Records | Surpassing Previous Points Tally (in fewer games) | 2024–2025 | Beat previous Premier League point totals in less time. |
High League Position for a Promoted Club | 2024–2025 | Among the best-performing promoted clubs in recent EPL history. | |
Matching Long-Standing Winning Streak Record | 2024–2025 | Equaled their longest EPL winning streak in nearly 30 years. |
In conclusion, Nottingham Forest has shown remarkable strength and progress, particularly in the current season. If they can build on their current success, maintain a clear strategy, and ensure stability across the club, there’s a strong possibility they can follow a similar trajectory to established Premier League sides like Everton & Wolverhampton. However, the Premier League is a demanding and ever-evolving environment, so continued hard work and smart decisions will be paramount.
So, I hope you like this Football analysis about Nottingham Forest Football Clubs performance in the English Premier League.
Happy Football