Nuno Espirito Santo is preparing to oversee his first full season at the helm of Nottingham Forest having guided the club to safety last season.

It’s been a hectic two years for Forest since returning to the Premier League but they have remained afloat – just. Uncharacteristic shrewdness early in the summer transfer window saw financial concerns dissipate and Santo has been able to work with his 2024/25 squad for much of the pre-season.

There’s reason for optimism at the City Ground, but is Santo the right coach to guide Forest up the table?

Here’s 90min’s season preview of Nottingham Forest’s 2024/25 campaign.

Forest have Steve Cooper to thank for their rise back into the Premier League. The club was heading in the wrong direction under Chris Hughton, but the former Swansea boss proved to be the perfect appointment.

The Midlands club returned to the top flight via the play-offs in 2021/22, with Cooper doing an excellent job to keep Forest in the Premier League amid a wild squad overhaul. A parting of ways came naturally midway through last season, with Santo completing the task which greeted him upon his arrival.

Maverick centre-half Murillo has impressed since joining the club and will now don the five shirt for the 2024/25 season, indicating his importance to Santo’s side.

Summer arrival Elliott Anderson will wear the number eight, with fellow newbie Nikola Milenkovic taking 31. Purists will remain disgusted at full-back Neco Williams continuing with number seven.

*Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window

In

Forest have done an excellent job of recuperating big fees for the likes of Orel Mangala and Moussa Niakhate, but their need to balance the books means they haven’t gone crazy in terms of incomings. Elliott Anderson has signed from Newcastle for £35m, while Nikola Milenkovic should slot right into the heart of Santo’s backline.

Out

There’s been a major turnaround at the City Ground this summer, with 15 players departing and several returning to their parent clubs following loans last season. Centre-back Felipe has hung up his boots.

Home kit

Away kit

Veteran forward Chris Wood came up with the goods for Forest last season, scoring 15 times in all competitions. Wood proved more than serviceable, but he should only play a bit-part role in 2024/25 if Taiwo Awoniyi can stay fit.

The Nigeria international is the definition of a ‘handful’. An exceptional outlet who runs the channels doggedly, Awoniyi will thrive in Santo’s counter-attacking set-up. The striker made just 23 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring six times, and needs to stay injury-free.

Knocks also limited him in year one as he made just 17 Premier League starts, but the brutish forward notched ten goals in an impressive debut campaign. A fit and firing Awoniyi is a difference-maker.

Forest have had a far less frantic summer compared to years past and there’s some quiet optimism building around the City Ground for 2024/25.

However, 90min isn’t buying it. Santo does have the players at his disposal for his counter-attacking ideals to manifest efficiently, but he’ll need Awoniyi to avoid the treatment table if he’s to guide Forest up the table. They lack defensive depth and there are question marks over the goalkeeper situation.

The club has brought shrewdly and there may be scope for a considerably improved season, but another fight against the drop is more likely. Fortunately, they’re superior to the three teams that have come up by quite some distance.

Nottingham Forest 2024/25 Premier League prediction – 17th

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