After securing European football for the first time in a generation last season, very few Nottingham Forest fans would have predicted the campaign of struggle they would endure in 2025/26.
Four managers, constant issues between Edu and other staff and failed big-money signings have all led to this point, with the Reds sitting just two places above the Premier League’s drop zone.
Vitor Pereira is the fourth, and hopefully final, manager of a chaotic campaign, but the 57-year-old has provided a light at the end of a once extremely dark tunnel.
He’s led the side on a seven-game unbeaten run in recent weeks, subsequently securing a place in the Europa League semi-final and pulling the club clear of any looming relegation threat.
He will certainly have one player to thank for the recent upturn in form, with his recent stats demonstrating his importance to the first-team ranks.
The stats behind Morgan Gibbs-White’s importance to Forest
After the failed move to Tottenham Hotspur last summer, it was always written in the stars for attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White to have a campaign to remember in 2025/26.
The 26-year-old has featured in every game for the Reds this term, subsequently finding the net on 12 occasions – the most of any player within the current senior ranks.
He netted his first Premier League hat-trick of his career during Sunday’s 4-1 win over Burnley – which now means he’s responsible for a third of the club’s top-flight goals this season.
Six of his subsequent goals have come in his last six league games, with the Englishman undoubtedly carrying Pereira’s side on his own back in recent weeks.
His strike against Porto last Thursday secured the club’s place in the last four of the Europa League, allowing the Reds to reach their first semi-final in 42 years.
Gibbs-White’s efforts have certainly cemented his place in Forest history forever, with the midfielder undoubtedly one of the club’s most influential top-division operators.
The Forest star who’s now as undroppable as Gibbs-White
With just five league games to go this campaign, Gibbs-White is only one of three Forest players to have featured in every single league game of the 2025/26 campaign.
Fan-favourites Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic are the other two stars to achieve such a feat, with all three players evidently being a hit under all four managers.
However, the same can’t be said for a handful of players who have moved to the East Midlands, with many of the summer arrivals struggling to cement their place in the starting eleven.
The likes of Dan Ndoye, Dilane Bakwa and James McAtee have come under fire for their lack of impact – with the trio costing the club around £100m alone.
However, fellow summer addition Jair Cunha has had to bide his time at the City Ground, after joining the club from Botafogo for a reported £10m back in July.
The 21-year-old arrived in the East Midlands with high hopes nearly 12 months ago after starring for his homeland club during the Club World Cup last summer.
Nuno Espírito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Sean Dyche all failed to hand the youngster the chance to thrive after such a move, often having to resort to minutes in various cup competitions.
However, Pereira’s arrival has seen the Brazilian receive more consistent minutes, even starting the recent European victory over FC Porto at the City Ground.
Cunha was even chosen ahead of Morato to replace Murillo against the Clarets on Sunday afternoon, with the youngster producing some impressive figures in the process.
The 21-year-old managed to win 100% of the aerial battles that he entered, whilst making five clearances – restricting the visitors to limited chances in the second half.
Jair Cunha – stats against Burnley
Statistics
Tally
Minutes played
48
Touches
39
Passes completed
87%
Passes into final third
3
Clearances made
5
Aerials won
100%
Ball recoveries
2
Fouls won
1
With the ball at his feet, Cunha managed to complete 87% of the passes he attempted, whilst making three of his passes into the final third of the pitch.
He certainly softened the blow of Murillo’s injury in the first half, which is a credit to the youngster given the importance of his compatriot to Pereira’s senior ranks.
At just 21, Cunha has already demonstrated remarkable composure and talent without possession, which could make him a vital asset for the Reds in the years ahead.
Even in the immediate future, he could be the perfect replacement for Murillo – especially if his recent injury is confined to be worse than originally feared.
£10m to land a player of the centre-back’s quality appears to be excellent business, with the defender a player who could make the club a lot of money in the near future.
However, huge credit must go to Pereira for the faith shown in the youngster, with the manager doing something which his predecessors couldn’t do during their own time in charge.
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Nottingham Forest had a Morgan Gibbs-White hat-trick to thank for their convincing 4-1 over Burnley.