2026-27 preparation - hopes and dreams

Steve Stone’s Brylcreem

Steve Stone’s Brylcreem

First Team Squad
With (as has been mentioned by others) half the league in Europe, you’d hope we can have a decent run in the PL and domestic competitions. Perhaps League Cup - we used to be regulars in that one.

Agree with those resigned to losing Anderson but being desperate to keep MGW. Would prefer to sell after the World Cup once he’s starred for England and added another few million to his price tag. Alternatively, gets injured (only a bit) and doesn’t get sold…
 
Chappers85

Chappers85

Can't Play Left-Back
Sooty said:
Don’t you think that Hutchinson has improved our starting XI? You might be comparing a starting XI with CHO & Elanga, but otherwise I’d say that Omari is a cut above our other wide options. Bakwa has started to show some flashes in games recently, which is to be welcomed as has McAtee.

We bought players to be competitive in the PL and Europe, but the reality was that most of those additions weren’t up to the standard for most of the season. We did, however, get to a semi-final and came close to making a final. Who’s to know what might have happened if the first team had all been fit and available?

Next year provides for a different challenge again; to be aiming at a top half finish and potential European qualification again. I’d be in favour of retaining most of last summer’s signings with some quality additions to replace those key players who leave. I’ll get as excited as anyone when the transfer rumours appear, but actually I’d rather see some incremental change and not another summer of churn.
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Yeah I was more comparing it to last season's first XI. Hutchinson has been the best of the bunch, but it’s a low bar. Nuno didn't even select him in Europa League squad. I'm not defending Nuno here by the way - f*** that guy - but he clearly didn't see him as ready to be an automatic pick for the first team. And if we had everybody fit, I still don't think he's a shoo-in, I think we'd probably be playing some lopsided front 3 with CHO, Wood and Jesus. Hopefully he kicks on with a preseason though. He's young, there's time. I'd be flogging one of N'Doye or Bakwa though - probably the former as he's an international so has more resale value. It's worth noting though that in the past few seasons I have written off/vastly underestimated Wood, Sangare, Sels and Williams. So clearly I know bugger all 🤣
 
Red Ray's Redlist

Red Ray's Redlist

Geoff Thomas
I'm not as low on the current squad as a lot of folk on here appear to be. Chronic mismanagement, lack of consistency, impact of Europe, and injuries have really hampered us. Man for man we're at least on a par with Villa so we should be challenging the top 4 like them.

Key will be the managerial situation. VPs history indicates it is risky to retain him beyond 6 months. I like him but if an Iraola or Glasner is available I'd be all over that.

In an ideal world we have consistent and quality coaching, retain the big 3, bring in an Elanga clone (ideally Elanga) to provide a real counter attacking threat, a quality striker option a la Wood, a pacey CB and a young CM as further backup in case we want to play a 3 in either position. We're challenging top 6 at least in this scenario.
 
Yates in the Fjord

Yates in the Fjord

First Team Squad
Red Ray's Redlist said:
I'm not as low on the current squad as a lot of folk on here appear to be. Chronic mismanagement, lack of consistency, impact of Europe, and injuries have really hampered us. Man for man we're at least on a par with Villa so we should be challenging the top 4 like them.

Key will be the managerial situation. VPs history indicates it is risky to retain him beyond 6 months. I like him but if an Iraola or Glasner is available I'd be all over that.

In an ideal world we have consistent and quality coaching, retain the big 3, bring in an Elanga clone (ideally Elanga) to provide a real counter attacking threat, a quality striker option a la Wood, a pacey CB and a young CM as further backup in case we want to play a 3 in either position. We're challenging top 6 at least in this scenario.
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I agree with you about the squad, there are many more reasons for our struggles this season than just the players. Without European competition and with a more stable managerial situation, I think we’ll be fine and able to climb into the top 10 next season (as long as we don’t lose all of our key players).

However, I disagree when it comes to the manager. I think we should keep Vitor. The players seem very happy with him, the results have been good, and I believe he is doing a solid job. There’s no need to create more instability. (I can understand Iraola if he is available, but no point going for Glasner or any other in my opinion)
 
Dawg

Dawg

Viv Anderson
This season we've had 4 managers. European games. Instability constantly - and we're about 2/3 wins from the top 10 as it stands.

Give me stability (not convinced with VP, but would be willing to give him the chance as he has deserved it) - which means astute signings to replace the obvious outgoings.

Home form needs to improve. Simply not good enough.

If the club make the right decisions, there's no reason we can't have a positive season and push for the top 8 again.

Oh, and a trophy please.
 
Beardo7

Beardo7

Jack Armstrong
I think it's common Knowledge that Anderson is going after the WC - We know that EM does not suffer fools when dealing in transfers though so can expect we will get decent money for him £100m+ as I think he is still under contract until 28/29?

I think will keep MGW and Murillo as we don't need to sell them and Murillo doesn't have the best injury record either and both are under contract as well until 2028 I think so again will take big money for them to go and we saw in the last few seasons that clubs are little bit more weary to start spending big money on players and tend to be looking more and more at players form outside the PL that they can get cheaper and grow their value in the world of PSR though I know this is ending this year and moving to SQR next season so this may change? But may take a season or so to settle down.

I am hoping we get good money for Anderson that we can then re-invest in the squad and we keep MGW and Murillo and with no European football we can aim for a top 8 finish and give one of the cups a good go. And with potentially 9 clubs in Europe next season that's 9 clubs some that aren't used to the European grind (like us this season) of playing 3 games a week+ the travel and the effect it has on your league form and players so hopefully with a good summer and with some stability we can have a solid season and be looking at the European places again (just look at Man U they have been able to just focus on the League this year and even with Amorim are 3rd) and continue to build as I don't think the sides that come up will be as good as the ones that came up this season.

Sunderland and Leeds I think will have a tough 2nd Season both of them have sort of rode the wave this year and can see them being down there next season like we were in our 2nd season (we were worse and only got 32 points), The sides in the Europa league and conference will have to deal with that as well, who knows what's gonna happen at Newcastle and with the collapse of LIV golf and the Saudis looking like they are changing tack from sportswashing (bar F1 as that's a cash cow) they could have another turbulent season, Chelsea are a clown show and will continue to be, whoever stays up between West Ham and Spurs will be interesting to see how they go next year, I hope it's West Ham that stays up personally as can't see Spurs being as much of a mess in a 3rd season. (and them going down would be funnier - just)

But Forest will be one of about 8 clubs all thinking this as well and the gaps in the PL has now massively closed up and there are about 12 clubs all at a similar level now Forest, Everton, Villa, Brentford, Bournemouth, Brighton, Palace, Fulham, Newcastle, Chelsea, Spurs, West Ham all at about the same level really (Villa maybe a slight level above?) and as We, Spurs, Newcastle, West Ham have shown it only takes you to have 1 (or 2 in Spurs case) bad season where you pick up injuries to Key players and or have a bit of off field turmoil and you are at the bottom of this pack and fighting relegation.

With all the above in mind I can see the mid pack of the PL being even closer next season with the number of clubs in Europe in said mid pack Everton, Brighton, Palace, Brentford, Bournemouth, Chelsea even Fulham could potentially be in Europe which will mix it all up a bit in the League with the sides like Us, Newcastle and any of the above who don't end up in Europe looking to take advantage of this I would like us to be pushing for a top 8 finish and be no where near the bottom 3 please! 4 Seasons in the prem now it's been - relegation/relegation/Champions league challenge/relegation.

But this is NFFC we don't do things the easy way it's the easy way, the hard way and the Forest way. So we will prob sack VP this summer, bring in Silva, be 18th sack him by December after he has had a massive fallout with everyone, bring Nuno back and then finish 4th after winning 15 games in a row 1-0.
 
That Grey Red

That Grey Red

Flip Le Flem
I'll try not to upset too many.

Goalie;- Sels/Ortaga both OK
LB:- Neco has to stay,He's been sensational, Netz OK
RB;- Aina Hope he stays but i fear he will go, Savona OK
CD:- Milo has to stay, Morato/Morillo both can go, Cuhna to partner Milo. Abbott OK
Midfield:- Ando, hope he stays, Dom to stay, Sangare to stay, Yates unsure, love him to bits, McAttee, our future, will shine, MGW unsure, I was never his biggest fan but the last couple of months he's been sensational. Sinclair to shine.
Wingers:- CHO to go, sorry but he's totally infective.He does a world class move every three months and then nothing, Ndoye to go,has been so disappointing, had such high hopes but obviously hasn't settled. Bakwa, suffered with the changes, settling in and lack of playing time, could come good. Hutch, the star of the future, will score loads of goals.
Forwards:- Wood, hope he stays but not as the number one striker, same with T, Both have time catching up with them. Igor, hope he stays, it's been a rookie season for him at this level, needs to stay on his feet. Lucca, no comment.
So,depending who goes a CD will be required, a right back, top notch midfielder in the Garner mould. A new left sided attacker. And finally A top notch striker.
COYR
 
H

Hawkeye1947

First Team Squad
Dawg said:
This season we've had 4 managers. European games. Instability constantly - and we're about 2/3 wins from the top 10 as it stands.

Give me stability (not convinced with VP, but would be willing to give him the chance as he has deserved it) - which means astute signings to replace the obvious outgoings.

Home form needs to improve. Simply not good enough.

If the club make the right decisions, there's no reason we can't have a positive season and push for the top 8 again.

Oh, and a trophy please.
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Dawg DP has changed the atmosphere on and off the pitch. We are playing a brand of football that I have wanted for a long time. A new manager coming into the club may be a dud at Forest and everyone including yourself may regret getting rid of DP.
 
Colin Addison

Colin Addison

First Team Squad
That Grey Red said:
I'll try not to upset too many.

Goalie;- Sels/Ortaga both OK
LB:- Neco has to stay,He's been sensational, Netz OK
RB;- Aina Hope he stays but i fear he will go, Savona OK
CD:- Milo has to stay, Morato/Morillo both can go, Cuhna to partner Milo. Abbott OK
Midfield:- Ando, hope he stays, Dom to stay, Sangare to stay, Yates unsure, love him to bits, McAttee, our future, will shine, MGW unsure, I was never his biggest fan but the last couple of months he's been sensational. Sinclair to shine.
Wingers:- CHO to go, sorry but he's totally infective.He does a world class move every three months and then nothing, Ndoye to go,has been so disappointing, had such high hopes but obviously hasn't settled. Bakwa, suffered with the changes, settling in and lack of playing time, could come good. Hutch, the star of the future, will score loads of goals.
Forwards:- Wood, hope he stays but not as the number one striker, same with T, Both have time catching up with them. Igor, hope he stays, it's been a rookie season for him at this level, needs to stay on his feet. Lucca, no comment.
So,depending who goes a CD will be required, a right back, top notch midfielder in the Garner mould. A new left sided attacker. And finally A top notch striker.
COYR
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I lost interest when you listed the left back before the right back.
 
C

Cloughie1975

Stuart Pearce
Your Dad's Ashamed Of You said:
I'm really optimistic. Only one of the big 3 goes. If he has a good WC probably EA for 9 figures. Recruit well. We'll be better than the teams not in Europe and can finish above a fair few in Europe due to fatigue. Passports needed again for the following year
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Too early to be optimistic or pessimistic in my view although I think not being in Europe will benefit us in the league.

1.Will we keep MGW and Murillo (I think most agree that Anderson is leaving)?

2.Will we get the recruitment right?

3.Who will the manager be? If it’s VP will he be as effective or if not will we bring the right man in?

As for Anderson-I reckon there’s a reasonable chance he leaves before the World Cup due to PSR requirements.

A lot of work to be done to be competitive next season in a very difficult competition.
 
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H

Harry1982

Jack Armstrong
Baronvon said:
A boring mid table season would suit me and my blood pressure fine.

We've never actually had one since coming back - it's either been a relegation scrap or a race for Champions League football.

I've aged about 73 years since we've returned to the PL.
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Mid table and FA cup final would do me, dont wont it too dull,
 
Otis Redding

Otis Redding

Try A Little Tenderness
Cloughie1975 said:
Too early to be optimistic or pessimistic in my view although I think not being in Europe will benefit us in the league.

1.Will we keep MGW and Murillo (I think most agree that Anderson is leaving)?

2.Will we get the recruitment right?

3.Who will the manager be? If it’s VP will he be as effective or if not will we bring the right man in?

As for Anderson-I reckon there’s a reasonable chance he leaves before the World Cup due to PSR requirements.

A lot of work to be done to be competitive next season in a very difficult competition.
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In terms of P&SR compliance Norman, I hope we can pull-off a bit of clever jiggery-pokery again.
 
sammy the snake

sammy the snake

John Robertson
5 years on from promotion, I’d like to think we have moved on as a footballing team, the possession and competitiveness has risen for sure, and I’d say Forest have proven they can compete with the best… albeit on Forest’s terms. We do look like a premier league team now rather than simply hanging on.
We need more quality depth, and replacement of EA and or Murillo and MGW will be paramount, although I’m not sure MGW has any intention of leaving Forest. This season has been a revelation for him, he looks to be growing to legendary status

Preseason with the same manager as the forthcoming season will be great… it means making a very rapid decision after the season finishes.
 
R

Rob1965

Geoff Thomas
The closed season will be critical to how we perform next season. Make sure the manager is in place and backed early, no reason it shouldn’t be VP, sell and recruit wisely make sure the pre season games are used to good effect. Get that right and I think the season takes care of itself, we should be aiming for European qualification and a good cup run.
 
Heffing Psycho!

Heffing Psycho!

Steve Chettle
Whatever next season looks like it needs to be sorted as early as possible.

Edu's replacement (if there is to be one) should already be working behind the scenes, there should be a shortlist of a couple of potential managers (if EM does want a change), who have already been approached, if they say no VP stays on, get the Anderson sale sorted, get the core of the squad sorted... All that before day one of pre-season training, finishing touches can come through the rest of the window.

I think we could genuinely finish anywhere between 6th-20th next season depending on what we do this summer, if it's as much of a state as last summer I worry for us. EM needs to have learnt a lot from this season.
 
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