Michael Dawson is welcome whenever he feels like it at Nottingham Forest and for fans of a certain age never has such a player graced the City Ground.
Dawson had two spells at the club as a player and Forest are a club close to the heart of the man who played four times for England during his career.
On Saturday, the Premier League returns after a summer spent watching Euro 2024 and the Olympics and it can’t come soon enough.
Forest will want to park the previous two campaigns in the Premier League and spend this season proving to the doubters that the club belongs at this level.
As the domestic action gets back underway this weekend pundits have started delivering their verdicts on where teams will finish this season.
Dawson has been sharing his views on Forest – and predicted whether or not the club will become embroiled in another relegation battle this time around.
Michael Dawson delivers Nottingham Forest relegation verdict
These days, Dawson is a regular pundit on Soccer Saturday and he’s often a go-to man when it comes to discussing Forest on Sky Sports.
This week Michael Dawson was speaking on behalf of Sky Sports as part of its start-of-season football campaign which brings together 92 passionate football fans from each team across the Premier League & EFL to share their hopes for the 2024/25 campaign.
Dawson believes Forest will just about have enough this season – although it would be nice if things were a little bit more comfortable during 2024/25.
He told Sky Sports on YouTube: “If you look at Nottingham Forest’s team, this is their third season back in the Premier League and both seasons so far, they’ve been fighting relegation.
“I look at the teams this year and there could be nothing between finishing 10th and 18th – it’s fine margins and it’s all about beating the teams around you. That’s what cements your place in the Premier League.
“I think Nottingham Forest will be safe this year with the team they have. I think Forest will stay up, but I hope it’s going to be more comfortable than it was last year!”
Forest have the tools to star in the Premier League this season
Being very greedy another striker would be a wonderful addition to the Forest squad. So too would a stellar addition between the posts and a left-back – but Forest might not get all of their wishes answered this summer.
Players are being linked with the club but with PSR averted for another year, Forest will want to make sure that it’s not even a slight concern in 12 months time.
Forest have to make sure Nuno Espirito Santo has the tools to do his job, however. The Portuguese boss did well to keep the club in the Premier League and now he will want the Reds to kick on this season.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi have all remained at the City Ground and that can only bode well for the club this season.
Dawson speaks for the entire fan base. The last two seasons have been emotional football torture at times and hopefully, this can be the year when Forest enjoy a comfortable ride floating around the top of the bottom half of the Premier League.
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