Nottingham Forest have a huge couple of months ahead of them in the Premier League, if they are to fend off any immediate threat of relegation back to the Championship.
Vitor Pereira has been confirmed as the Reds’ new boss after Sean Dyche was sacked last week, with the hierarchy hoping the Portuguese boss can emulate his success at Wolves last term.
The 57-year-old has been handed a deal until the end of the 2026/27 season, but his first priority will no doubt be to maintain the club’s top-flight status in the next 12 matches.
It’s likely the new manager will implement a three-back system at the City Ground, as he did at Molineux, in an attempt to get the best out of the current crop of players.
However, if he is to keep the Reds in the division, he will likely need to ensure one player doesn’t become a regular starter after falling to produce under numerous different managers.
The stats behind Dan Ndoye’s struggles at Forest in 2025/26
After netting on his Forest debut against Brentford on the opening day, many expected Dan Ndoye to be the perfect replacement for the outgoing Anthony Elanga.
The Swiss international cost a reported £34m including add-ons from Italian side Bologna, but such a move has failed to ignite over the last few months.
He’s only managed to score once since his league debut for the Reds, subsequently finding the net in the embarrassing 3-2 defeat against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.
The 25-year-old has subsequently been restricted to just 14 league starts this term, with his underlying stats showcasing why he’s had to resort to minutes off the substitutes bench.
Ndoye has only managed to complete 38% of the dribbles he’s attempted, whilst creating just 0.8 chances per 90 – which showcases his struggles within the final third.
He’s also only registered four shots on target within his 19 appearances, which further demonstrates his inability to find the back of the net after his big-money transfer.
The Forest player who’s been a worse signing than Ndoye
After securing European football last season, the Forest hierarchy spent big in an attempt to make them consistent top six challengers – as seen by their £200m spending spree.
Ndoye was just one of the additions made during such a period, but he hasn’t been alone in failing to deliver, as seen with Arnaud Kalimuendo – who’s already been loaned out to Eintracht Frankfurt.
Nottingham Forest’s most expensive signings of all time
Evangelos Marinakis has spent big in recent years.
However, some of the previous additions have also struggled to match the demands of the Premier League, which has resulted in huge funds being wasted in the process.
Morato is just one of the players to previously make a move to the City Ground, subsequently joining from Benfica for a reported £15m in the summer of 2024.
The Brazilian was seen as a suitable backup for the likes of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic, but there’s no denying the centre-back has fallen below the expectations of many in the East Midlands.
The 24-year-old has racked up 14 league appearances this season, but has failed to deliver in many, which has resulted in the fans questioning his inclusion in the side.
Morato, who’s been dubbed a “disgrace” by Callum Castel, endured arguably his worst showing of the season against Leeds United a couple of weeks ago – with his errors costing the Reds at Elland Road.
He was certainly at fault for the hosts’ second goal, with his lack of defensive awareness and urgency costing him as Noah Okafor ghosted into the 18-yard box unmarked before tapping home.
His showing in Yorkshire that day also saw him only manage to win 25% of the aerial duels he entered, with his lack of quality in the air and on the ground evident throughout.
The defender’s overall stats this season also don’t make for good reading, subsequently winning just 1.5 aerials per 90, ranking him in the bottom 15% of all defenders in the league.
|
Morato – PL stats (2025/26) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Games played |
14 |
|
Minutes played |
939 |
|
Pass accuracy |
86% |
|
Aerials won |
1.5 |
|
Aerials won |
49% |
|
Interceptions made |
0.7 |
|
Dribbled past |
0.6 |
|
Fouls committed |
1.2 |
He’s also been dribbled past more than any other centre-back in the squad, subsequently highlighting his lack of quality when the opposition are in possession in the final third.
There’s little denying that the Reds appear a weaker outfit when the Brazilian is in the starting eleven, with the likes of Murillo and Milenkovic certainly much higher quality options.
Pereira will certainly have the chance to analyse his new squad over the coming days, with the boss needing to select a side strong enough to cope with the prospect of relegation.
Ndoye and Morato simply aren’t at the level required for any success in the Premier League, with any inclusion in the starting eleven undoubtedly making the task of securing survival one step harder.
No Aina or Morato, £30m star starts: Pereira’s dream Nottingham Forest XI
Nottingham Forest are set to hire their fourth manager of the season with Vitor Pereira set to take charge.