Guardian writers’ predicted position: 14th (NB: this is not necessarily Will Unwin’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 16th
Prospects
Forest showed their potential at various stages of last season, losing twice between late October and early February, those defeats coming against Arsenal and Manchester United. Then, in the final push for survival, Forest won three out of their final six to stay up. The squad is stable and some smart summer signings have added to a team that has proved itself capable of staying in the Premier League. It is not very exciting but the main ambition will be for a calmer season that ends with a higher finish than 16th.
Plenty of work has been happening in the background to ensure they have a more robust structure suited to the Premier League. Steven Reid has returned as first-team coach, while the new chief football officer, Ross Wilson, has worked hard to bring in numerous members of staff. Adam Burrows arrives as the new head of strength and conditioning, having previously worked at Chelsea, while the former Southampton head of sports science Aleks Gross joins, in addition to physio Jon Fearns, after 13 years at Stamford Bridge. Forest suffered a number of injuries last season and these appointments are aimed at avoiding a repeat.
On the pitch, pre-season friendly results have offered limited positivity, the low moment being a 5-0 defeat to Rennes. With Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea to come in three of their first four games, Forest need to hold their nerve in the market, rather than panic like last season.
The manager
It would be quite difficult for Steve Cooper to be more popular at the City Ground. After a miraculous promotion, he dealt with a lot of things going on around him and managed to stabilise the team. There were going to be hiccups for a promoted club with a huge turnover in playing staff but he found the right formula to keep them up relatively comfortably. Things should be easier for him this season thanks to a more settled squad and something more akin to serenity in the background. Whatever happens, the fans will be behind him and that is a huge factor for him and Forest.
Leading the shirt sales
While Jesse Lingard’s arrival was lauded and the price tag for Morgan Gibbs-White questioned, it was Cooper that was proved right. Gibbs-White was excellent in his role behind a front two in the final stages of the season, becoming the chief creator and ensuring all the attacking play went through him. He ended the season by winning the European Under-21 Championship, further ingratiating himself to Forest fans by finding three young supporters and handing over an England shirt from the tournament. A classy touch from a classy player.
Folk hero
In all the comings and goings last year, academy graduate Ryan Yates showed his importance to the team’s midfield. Whenever a young player steps up a level, there is intrigue to see if they are capable of playing in the Premier League but Yates repeatedly proved his all-action aggressive style was much needed for a team in a relegation battle. As with any local lad, he is popular at the City Ground and his work ethic and crunching tackles are constantly celebrated by home fans. Yates knows how and when to whip them up into a frenzy, a skillset not found in his data.
One to watch
Steve Cooper is a great admirer of Zach Abbott, who made his debut in the League Cup against Grimsby last season aged 16. The defender turned 17 in May and has spent plenty of time working with the first-team squad but without making a second appearance. Forest have a lot of central defenders, meaning he will struggle for minutes again but should get another opportunity in cup competitions. He was an important figure in the run to the FA Youth Cup final in 2022 and will be aiming to progress further this year.
