Nottingham Forest have enjoyed an excellent run of form over the last couple of months, and now look on the verge of securing Premier League safety.
The Tricky Trees have flirted with relegation all season, and as a result, are on their fourth manager of 2025-26.
However, Vitor Pereira has found a blend of defensive solidity and attacking verve in this side that was previously missing. Now, to go nicely with their run to the Europa League semi-finals, Forest are five games unbeaten in the Premier League. They taken nine points during that time with a record of 10 goals scored and just four conceded. Only Brighton and Hove Albion (10) have taken more points across this period.
Here, we’ve taken a look at Forest’s key players during this run using the Squawka Score, and what it means for their chances of Premier League survival.
1. Neco Williams
- Squawka Score: 75%
Neco Williams has firmly established himself as a key player for Nottingham Forest over the last few years. But he’s hit new levels this season.
Williams has two goals and three assists to his name this season, with the majority of those direct goal involvements coming across this recent upturn in form; providing two assists in the vital 3-0 win at relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur, before scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 draw at home against Aston Villa.
The Wales international is posting stunning numbers elsewhere. He sits 13th in the Premier League during this timeframe for chances created (eight) and 12th for interceptions — meaning he’s first among Forest players in these metrics, just as he is for crosses attempted/completed (27/6).
Forest’s all-action full-back has been arguably the most vital piece in their ongoing climb to safety.
2. Elliot Anderson
- Squawka Score: 71%
The quality of Elliot Anderson is no longer a secret. He’s almost certain to be one of England’s most important players at the World Cup this summer. The midfielder has only got better in recent matches for Forest.
Anderson’s impressive 71% Squawka Score has been fuelled by his beautifully dispatched equaliser in the 2-2 draw at Manchester City, during a man-of-the-match performance that also yielded one big chance created, 39 passes completed, four passes into the final third and five tackles.
The 23-year-old has remained Forest’s pass master during this run, completing a team-high 223, including 63 into the final third. Meanwhile, Anderson has also made more tackles (15) and won more possessions in the middle third (24) than any other teammate.
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3. Igor Jesus
- Squawka Score: 66%
Igor Jesus has been ruthlessly effective in the Europa League this season. But, in the Premier League, four goals and three assists in 32 appearances show that he’s taken a long while to get going.
But get going he has, with the Brazilian registering two goals and an assist during this five-game unbeaten run. Jesus set up Morgan Gibbs-White’s strike in the 2-2 draw at Man City, before opening the scoring in the rout of Tottenham, and putting the icing on the cake in the 4-1 win against Burnley last time out.
Jesus continues to give so much for his teammates, too. The 25-year-old has won a team-high 11 aerial duels during this run, also chipping in with four tackles, six clearances and an interception — highly respectable defensive numbers for a striker.
Special mention: Morgan Gibbs-White
The risks Morgan Gibbs-White takes with the ball mean his Squawka Score is surprisingly low. However, he absolutely must be mentioned here.
That’s because the England midfielder has scored five goals during these five games, more than any other Premier League player during that time.
Gibbs-White found the net against Man City and Tottenham, before delivering a superb hat-trick against Burnley at the weekend. And that form is no fluke. The 26-year-old is now on 11 goals and two assists across all competitions since the turn of the year.
There are no frills with Gibbs-White. He’s quite simply delivering the most important goods in the biggest of games, right when Forest need him most.
Where do Forest stand in the relegation battle?
Forest were 17th in the table following their 2-1 defeat to Brighton on 1st March, on 27 points and only two clear of West Ham United in the relegation zone.
Now, however, they have 36 points and sit 16th, going from two points behind Tottenham, to five points ahead of them — with Spurs now occupying that third and final relegation place.
Forest still have some very tough remaining fixtures, including Sunderland, Chelsea and Manchester United all away, while their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa is sure to cause a good level of distraction and fatigue.
However, Vitor Pereira’s men look like they’ve taken the weight of the world off their shoulders and are playing with the sort of freedom that makes safety feel inevitable.