Nottingham Forest claimed a stunning win against Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday as the club’s solid start to 2024/25 continued.
Forest won at Anfield for the first time since 1969 with Callum Hudson-Odoi bagging his maiden goal this season to silence the raucous crowd.
Arne Slot was handed a first defeat in English football – something he is still crying about after beating Milan – and Forest proved they can be a more stable force this season.
Forest made a number of signings in the summer and it’s a case of so far, so good when it comes to the recruitment process from the transfer window.
Dave Watson hails one Nottingham Forest signing
The former England coach worked as a goalkeeper coach at Forest back in the early stages of his coaching career.
He enjoyed a reputation as one of the best goalkeeper coaches in the country and spent a number of years with Southampton and the England national team.
During his time with the Saints, he worked with James Ward-Prowse and saw first-hand just how useful he can be on a daily basis.
The midfielder signed for Forest on a season-long loan from West Ham on transfer deadline day and Watson believes it could prove a masterstroke.
He told the Cycling GK podcast: “I think they’ve made some good signings, James Ward-Prowse, we’ve had him on the show and I think he’s a stellar signing for Nottingham Forest.
“You know what you’re going to get and he gives them a real dimension on set plays, he’s a proper midfielder at this level.”
| Position | Team | PlayedMP | WonW | DrawnD | LostL | ForGF | AgainstGA | DiffGD | PointsPts |
| 5 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 9 |
| 6 |  BrightonBrighton | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| 7 |  Nottm ForestNottingham Forest | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| 8 |  ChelseaChelsea | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 7 |
| 9 |  BrentfordBrentford | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Ward-Prowse has the experience to take Forest to the next level
At 29, Ward-Prowse still has a lot to offer. With seven goals and 11 assists for West Ham last season, it’s surprising that Julen Lopetegui has decided to let him leave.
It was only 12 months ago that the Hammers decided to part with £30 million to sign him from Southampton who had been relegated to the Championship.
Now, he’s been deemed surplus to requirements at West Ham and their loss looks to be the gain of Forest who handed him a debut on Saturday.
Ward-Prowse played in midfield alongside Ryan Yates, with Nuno Espirito Santo choosing to utilise Nicolas Dominguez and Elliot Anderson too.
The player performed exceptionally well and his experience of playing 382 Premier League games and winning 11 England caps could prove vital this season.
Forest have a lot of younger players in the dressing room these days and having someone like Ward-Prowse alongside them can only help.
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