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All 30 Nottingham Forest players and manager rated after brilliant survival season
And breathe! A rollercoaster first season back in the Premier League ended with Nottingham Forest securing survival with a game to spare.
From the highs of beating Liverpool and Arsenal to the lows of losing to Leicester City and Leeds United, plus everything in between, there has been no shortage of drama throughout the past nine months. But the Reds are now able to spend this summer planning for another campaign in the top-flight.
But who impressed and who struggled in 2022/23? Who looked at home among the elite and who found it tough going?
Here, we run the rule over head coach Steve Cooper and every player who made at least five appearances in the Garibaldi during the season just gone and give them a rating out of 10. Let us know what marks you would give in the comments section.
Made a positive impression almost straight away and quickly settled into life Trentside. Continued to show the same level of commitment when injured, attending pretty much every game. It’s an absolute no-brainer for Forest to try to get him back. Rating: 8/10
(Image: Getty)Somewhat mixed success when he did get a chance between the posts. A capable deputy, but it proved a sensible decision by the Reds to recruit a replacement No.1 in Keylor Navas when Henderson got injured. Rating: 6/10
(Image: Getty)Recruiting the three-times Champions League winner was quite a coup. Defied logic with his ability to pull off an absolutely stunning save one minute, then make the kind of error you wouldn’t expect from a player of his calibre the next, but he certainly played his part. Rating: 7.5/10
(Image: Getty)An experienced head and generally a consistent performer who has been a key part of the side. Took it upon himself to gather his teammates and regroup on more than one occasion when things weren’t going their way on the pitch; such leadership is a big asset. Rating: 8.5/10
(Image: Getty)Took a while to find his feet and was in and out of the team, but was in great form once he got a run in the side just before he got injured. A shame to see him get stopped in his tracks. Plenty more to come from him, though. Rating: 7.5/10
(Image: Getty)Really stepped up when Forest needed him during the run-in. Was outstanding in the final few games, proving he is more than capable of holding his own at this level. His reaction after victory over Arsenal showed what it means to him. Rating: 8/10
(Image: Getty)What a superb signing he has turned out to be. From the moment he came off the bench at Fulham, he has been a class act. Clearly has an eye for goal and a spectacular celebration, too – hopefully the next one counts. Rating: 9/10
(Image: Getty)There’s more to him than simply being a long-throw specialist, but it isn’t half a useful weapon for the Reds to have in their arsenal. If he can stay fit next term, he can prove to be a key player. Rating: 7.5/10
(Image: Getty)Had recovered from a debut to forget, against Fulham, to become a really solid figure in the back line. Was missed when he was out injured. Another experienced pro who played a big part. Rating: 7.5/10
(Image: Getty)Had rotten luck with injury, with his season ending shortly after he had made his return from a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Will have learnt a lot from this term which will stand him in good stead for next year. Rating: 7/10
(Image: Getty)Remained a valued member of the squad even when he was left out of the 25-man list, which is testament to his character and professionalism. Had some tough moments, but who can forget that assist against Liverpool? Rating: 6.5/10
(Image: Getty)A solid, dependable player who did a job when called upon. Was unfortunate to lose his place when Renan Lodi came in, but remained ready for when required. A good character to have in the squad, too. Rating: 7/10
(Image: Getty)If it does prove to be farewell for the Brazilian, he will be remembered with great affection Trentside. Once he got going, he proved to be an excellent loan signing. Showed incredible commitment leaving his newborn son in order to help the cause. Rating: 8.5/10
(Image: Getty)He’ll be missed now his time at the City Ground has come to an end. A true professional who always gave his all. Although he didn’t see too much game time, he did well whenever he did get on the pitch. Rating: 7.5/10
(Image: Getty)The heartbeat of the side. He made the team tick and Forest looked better when he was out there – the results when he was absent are testament to that. Any remaining doubters have surely been proved wrong about him by now. Rating: 8/10
(Image: Getty)Looked bright early on in the season, until a spell out with illness seemed to set him back. Plenty of fans would loved to have seen him stay Trentside rather than go on loan to DC United, though. What happens next will be interesting. Rating: 6.5/10
(Image: Getty)Came into his own with some excellent performances during the run-in, when the Reds found a midfield combination which worked. Had been inconsistent prior to that, but has shown what he’s all about now. Rating: 8/10
(Image: Getty)Another player who was stopped in his tracks by injury, just when he was in good form. A few eyebrows had been raised when he signed, but he showed he was a decent addition. Rating: 7.5/10
(Image: Getty)Divides opinion, to say the least. The season has been a mixed bag for the midfielder; it hasn’t been all bad, but some below-par displays cost him his place late on and it’s difficult to see how he gets it back. Rating: 6/10
(Image: Getty)The jury is still out on the Brazilian. He can clearly pick a pass but hasn’t quite made the impact he would like to have done so far. Off-field issues and injuries haven’t helped. Rating: 6.5/10
(Image: Getty)Forest have the makings of a real gem on their hands. Once he’d settled in, there was no stopping him (other than those hamstring problems). He’s got bags of ability and potential; next season he can cause opposition sides all kinds of problems. Rating: 9/10
(Image: Getty)Other than two costly errors, it’s difficult to recall a significant contribution from the midfielder. Only a few brief glimpses of his passing ability early on. Rating: 4.5/10
(Image: Getty)His move might not have worked out as hoped, but there’s no doubt he has been a positive influence in the dressing room. Even when not involved, there was no sulking, just pure support for his teammates. Rating: 6/10
(Image: Getty)He’s some talent. The initial £25 million splashed out for his services looks like being an absolute bargain. It’s easy to see why Cooper was so desperate to get him last summer. And the best part is, he can get even better. Rating: 9/10
(Image: Getty)Looks right at home at Premier League level. Found himself out of the team towards the end, but the Reds wouldn’t have got over the line without the goals he had already scored. Part of an exciting group of young talent on the books. Rating: 8.5/10
(Image: Getty)Had to settle for a substitutes’ role in the main, but generally looked lively whenever he did come on. A shame he didn’t get more of a chance. Rating: 6.5/10
(Image: Getty)After something of a slow start, the front man hit his stride before injury struck. But once he returned and got his sharpness back, he was unstoppable. Hitting double-figures in a campaign where he was out for a big chunk is some going. Rating: 9/10
(Image: Getty)Some promising moments from the Nigerian, but it has been tough at times, too. Two goals is not the kind of return neither he or Forest would have wanted. Rating: 6/10
(Image: Getty)Yet to really convince in a Forest shirt. Indeed, it’s still difficult to see where he fits in. The goal he scored against Manchester City was an important one, though – and arguably one of the best, if not the best, of the season. Rating: 5.5/10
(Image: Getty)Will mostly be remembered for missing a penalty against Tottenham Hotspur. Had Cooper’s trust, but didn’t exactly do a lot to justify it on the pitch. Rating: 5/10
(Image: Getty)As if he didn’t already have legendary status on the banks of the Trent, steering the Reds to survival only cemented that. Didn’t get everything right and will have learnt a heck of a lot from his first season managing at Premier League level, but considering the challenges he faced (including gelling a completely new-look squad and dealing with a horrendous injury list), he has done an absolutely remarkable job. Rating: 9/10
(Image: Getty)
