With 2023 drawing to a close, we’ve had a chance to take stock of things on and off the pitch at Nottingham Forest. The Reds had an eventful year and the next 12 months promise to be equally dramatic.
Forest enjoyed celebrating Premier League survival during the calendar year, although it wasn’t always sweetness and light. A high-profile sacking finished the year, whilst the club endured several other low moments.
We’ve taken a look at three of the most disappointing moments of the calendar year of 2023 in a little more depth.
3 most disappointing Nottingham Forest moments of 2023
Brennan Johnson departs Forest
It’s never ideal to see top players sold but that was the situation that Forest found themselves in back in August.
After spending money on 23 players during the summer following promotion, Financial Fair Play was hovering with intent over the City Ground.
Johnson scored eight extremely important Premier League goals last season and his absence has been sorely felt this season.
The club accepted a bid in the region of £50 million for Johnson back in August and he headed to North London with the club’s best wishes.
It’s always disappointing to see good players sold and Johnson is no exception to that notion.
Steve Cooper sacked
It’s hard to argue that Steve Cooper didn’t deserve to be shown the door. Although he’d done a lot of good at the club, Forest had won just one of 13 games when he departed.
Cooper did a lot during his time at Forest, not just for the football club but for the city of Nottingham and the community.
The 44-year-old has been linked with a return to management with Crystal Palace and the Eagles are big fans of Cooper’s work.
Cooper was offered a great deal of patience by Evangelos Marinakis but in December he was sacked and replaced by Nuno Espirito Santo.
No Forest fan should have a bad word to say about Cooper and it was so disappointing to see him dismissed from his position.
Awoniyi injury troubles
It’s never nice to see talented players keep picking up injuries but that has been the case for Taiwo Awoniyi.
In January he picked up an injury against Southampton that kept him out for three months and in November the same happened again.
Awoniyi is back out on the grass as he recovers from his latest groin injury and Forest need to get him back quickly.
The 26-year-old has four goals to his name during the 2023/24 campaign and Forest miss his physicality in their attack.
Espirito Santo will recognise the need for a goalscorer to be added to his ranks and he will hope to see Awoniyi back soon.
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