Nottingham Forest began their Premier League season in excellent fashion, dominating and scoring three against Brentford.
Coming off the back of last season, where they qualified for the Europa League, Forest will have their eyes set on maintaining their place among the Premier League’s best.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s performance against Brentford received plaudits and proved why the club so desperately wanted to keep him in order to reach their goals.
Keeping hold of him was vital to any aspirations of a European finish, and perhaps even making the top four. But now, Ally McCoist has given his verdict on those Champions League hopes, and it isn’t positive for the Forest squad.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty ImagesAlly McCoist says number of games Nottingham Forest will play will cost them top four
Nottingham Forest have a lot of European history but it has been a while since fans have seen them in European competition, last competing in 1996.
This season, however, they will be competing in the Europa League. While the circumstances surrounding their exclusion were controversial, the Tricky Trees won’t care and will be hoping to go far in Europe.
Domestically, Nuno Espirito Santo will be hoping to repeat last season’s heroics and potentially go one step further by making the top four. Although Ally McCoist doesn’t think Nottingham Forest can make the leap for a couple of reasons.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Speaking on talkSPORT, the Scotsman said he “hopes” Nottingham Forest can reach this season’s top four but goes on to say why he doesn’t believe they will.
He said, “I just think the number of games will catch up on them and I know they are trying to bring players in and I know they are making some good signings.”
Later he clarifies, saying, “If you are going to ask me if they are going to be in the mix for Champions League places, no, I think that will be beyond them due to the number of games they have got and the improvements to the sides around them who spent money on big players.”
The number of games Nottingham Forest could play this season
With Nottingham Forest in four different competitions, the maximum number of games they can play this year has increased quite a bit.
If Nuno’s squad does the unthinkable and ends up going all the way in every competition, they could play 67 matches in 2025/2026. This is a 16-game increase from last season’s 51-game maximum.
CompetitionNo. of gamesPremier League38Europa League17FA Cup6Carabao Cup6Total67Number of games Nottingham Forest could play this season
Like any team, they will be going into each match looking to win and going as far as possible in each competition.
Ally McCoist is right; Forest will need a bigger squad, but they have already recruited quite well.
Early business saw Angus Gunn, Igor Jesus, Jair Cunha, and Dan Ndoye join up with the Nottingham Forest squad.
Omari Hutchinson has since joined Forest to increase depth out wide, while Arnaud Kalimuendo is coming in to improve striker options.
Additionally, Pep Guardiola didn’t want to lose James McAtee, but the quality of the midfielder will now be seen in the Garibaldi after he was announced on Saturday.