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The 2021/22 season will live long in the memory of Nottingham Forest fans as the club ended their 23-year exile from the Premier League after beating Huddersfield Town 1-0 in the play-off final at Wembley.
Steve Cooper led the club to top-flight glory after taking over from Chris Hughton after the former Brighton boss was sacked following six defeats and one draw in the opening seven Championship encounters.
In a season that looked destined for failure, Cooper changed the Reds' fortunes by taking the club from the bottom of the table to play-off winners in just eight months – a truly remarkable feat.
The game itself at Wembley was one of little quality, with the only goal coming courtesy of an own goal from Chelsea loan Levi Colwill.
However, Huddersfield did have two penalties waved away by referee John Moss and VAR, with the outcome of the game unknown, had those decisions fallen in the favour of the Terriers.
Today we take a trip back to the summer of 2022 and take a look at what Forest's potential line-up in the Championship could have looked like had they fallen to a defeat at Wembley.
GK – Ethan Horvath
The USMNT goalkeeper joined the Reds on a free transfer from Belgian side Club Brugge in the summer of 2021, after falling behind experienced 'keeper Simon Mignolet.
Ethan Horvath made 11 appearances for the club during the 2021/22 season, including a late substitution for Brice Samba, who limped off with injury during the final moments.
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The Frenchman would've left the City Ground during the summer of 2022 regardless of the outcome, with the former Caen shot-stopper wanting a return to his homeland. His heroics in the play-off semi-final allowed the Reds to reach Wembley after saving three penalties against Sheffield United at the City Ground.
Despite a couple of mistakes, the goalkeeper had a couple of promising displays during the regular season – enough to warrant a run as first choice had Forest not won promotion.
RB – Ethan Laird
A player that certainly would've been of use to Steve Cooper in the Championship is Ethan Laird. The defender, who was at Manchester United at the time, enjoyed a successful loan stint at Swansea City during the 2021/22 campaign.
With Djed Spence unlikely to return to the City Ground after his loan from fellow Championship side Middlesbrough, the Reds would've needed a new right-back, with Laird's energetic style fitting Cooper's style in a five-back system.
Cooper's track record of developing youngsters is well-known after his time with England U17s. A loan spell to the Reds would've potentially benefitted his then-parent club, with the youngster getting regular minutes in England's second tier.
CB – Joe Worrall
A player who knows what it means to play for Forest is boyhood fan Joe Worrall. The central defender rapidly progressed at the club under Cooper, with Worrall quickly becoming one of the most consistent defenders in the division.
He formed a brilliant partnership with two other centre-backs towards the tail end of the 2021/22 campaign, with the trio more than capable of continuing that had the club not gained promotion.
CB – Steve Cook
After his January arrival from fellow promotion contenders Bournemouth, Steve Cook brought in needed experience to what was a relatively young Forest side.
The then 30-year-old made his debut against Arsenal in the third round of the FA Cup, with the defender making an instant impact and showcasing what he could offer to the Reds.
Had Forest not gained promotion, he would've played a key role in mounting another promotion push under Cooper for the 2022/23 Championship campaign.
CB – Scott McKenna
After joining the club for £3m from Aberdeen during the summer of 2020, Scott McKenna became a real hit among Forest fans for his no-nonsense aerial presence but also his ability with the ball at his feet.
McKenna was the final part in a very settled back three alongside Worrall and Cook that would easily have been one of the best centre-back partnerships in the Championship had the club remained in the second tier.
LB – Ryan Manning
A player that Reds boss Cooper knew well from his time at Swansea City was left-back Ryan Manning. The Irish left-back was entering his final year at the Welsh outfit and with Max Lowe unlikely to return with Sheffield United also in the Championship, the defender would've been a good fit for the Reds.
His energetic and workmanlike style would've suited Cooper's wing-back system, with the defender also capable of going forward with his excellent crossing abilities.
CM – Ryan Yates
Although Ryan Yates might not be the most technical footballer, he does offer a hard-working and committed display every time he crosses that white line.
He produced some of his best performances for the club in the Championship, with his style of play more suited to the second tier than the Premier League.
If the 2021/22 season was anything to go by, the midfielder would've been brilliant with another campaign under Cooper in the Championship.
CM – Jack Colback
Jack Colback was a player who always produced at least a 7/10 performance for the Reds during the 2021/22 season, with the former Newcastle United man often being deployed at left-back rather than his usual central midfield role.
His consistent displays across the field were a huge factor in the Reds reaching the play-off final, with his experience a real key on the pitch and in the dressing room under Cooper.
CAM – Philip Zinckernagel
One of the two loanees that would've returned to the Reds had they failed to gain promotion was attacking midfielder Philip Zinckernagel.
The Danish wizard was on loan from Watford during the 2021/22 campaign, where he registered six goals and seven assists in 42 league appearances.
His goal contributions were a huge factor in Forest getting as far as they did, with Zinckernagel impressing with his attacking and defensive displays during his stint on Trentside.
ST – Keinan Davis
A player that raised eyebrows upon his arrival was Aston Villa striker Keinan Davis. His less-than-impressive goal record for the Villans disappointed Forest fans, but Cooper managed to turn the forward into an all-round threat during his six-month loan spell.
He flourished under Cooper, scoring five times in 15 appearances – but it was his hold-up play and powerful runs that attracted the eye to the striker who would've benefitted from another season under the Reds boss in the Championship.
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The Premier League is filled with clubs of many different shapes and sizes, but one thing that all 20 teams share is a passion for the game and a real desire to get behind their team, win, lose or draw.
Every club in the top flight has that one song that fans associate with them, from You'll Never Walk Alone for Liverpool to Hi Ho Wolverhampton at Molineux, it really is special.
With that in mind, Football FanCast has created a list featuring the main chant or song for every Premier League club, complete with lyrics.
Lyrics: "North London forever,
Whatever the weather,
These streets are our own,
And my heart will leave you never,
My blood will forever,
Run through the stone…"
We're kicking off our list with a chant that booms around the Emirates every matchday.
With the impressive performances on the field this season and the Premier League title well within reach, you can bet that the Arsenal fans will sing this one just that little bit louder from here on in. Taken from Louis Dunford's 'The Angel', Gunners supporters have been belting this anthem out since last season.
Lyrics (to the tune of Hi Ho Silver Lining): "You're everywhere and nowhere, baby
That's where you're at
You're rollin' down a bumpy hillside
In your hippy hat
"You're flying across the country
And getting fat
You're saying everything is groovy
When your tyres are flat
"And it's Hi Ho Aston Villa!
Anywhere you go, baby
I see your sun is shining
But I won't make a fuss
Though it's obvious…"
This is one that perhaps won't go down well with bitter rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers, as both clubs' pre-match and post-match rituals involve singing this at the top of your lungs.
Both sets of fans will argue over who sang it first, but no one really knows the answer.
Lyrics: "Boscombe,
(Back of the net),
Boscombe,
(Back of the net)…"
Bournemouth aren't exactly blessed with a huge amount of iconic chants, but this song has been around for a long time and is one that the more hardcore fans will recognise and appreciate.
Lyrics: "Brentford
Don't make it bad,
Take a sad song and make it better,
Remember to let her into your heart
Then you will start to make it better, better, better, better, ooh.
Na na na,
Na na na na!
Na na na na!
Brentford,
Na na na,
Na na na na!
Na na na na!
Brentford…"
This is, of course, a popular song that was originally sung by The Beatles.
If you ever rock up to the Gtech Community Stadium, you'll be sure to hear this bellowing out before and after matches, win, lose or draw.
Lyrics: "Now is the time for marching, now let your hearts be gay,
Hark to the merry bugles sounding along our way.
So let your voices ring, my boys, and take the time from me,
And I’ll sing you a song as we march along,
Of Sussex by the Sea!
Good old Sussex by the Sea!
Good old Sussex by the Sea!
You may tell them all we stand or fall,
For Sussex by the Sea."
Many football fans perhaps won't look at Brighton as a fanbase with that much passion and aggressiveness, but if you've ever experienced this being bellowed out by 30,000 Seagulls fans prior to kick-off, you may just feel on edge.
Lyrics: "Oh my lads, you should have seen 'em running,
Running down the Brunshaw road the Burnley boys are coming,
All the lads and lasses, smiles upon their faces,
Running down the Brunshaw road,
To see the Burnley Aces…"
Now, this is a song that's iconic among quite a few fan bases, with each having their own rendition.
However, with Burnley, it can be heard home and away, and fits ever so well with the Brunshaw Road.
Lyrics: "Blue is the colour, football is the game
We're all together, and winning is our aim
So cheer us on through the sun and rain
'Cause Chelsea, Chelsea is our name
Here at the Bridge whether rain or fine
We can shine all the time
Home or away, come and see us play
You're welcome any day…"
This is one of the more iconic songs in the list, and matchdays at Stamford Bridge just wouldn't be the same without it.
Although results haven't exactly gone in favour of the Blues at times in the current campaign, as a player, if you're hearing this as you await kick-off, it'll be sure to get you right up for it.
Lyrics: "You say that you love me,
(Say that you love me),
All of the time,
(All of the time),
You say that you need me,
(Say that you need me),
You'll always be mine,
(Always be mine),
And I'm feeling, glad all over,
Yes I'm, glad all over,
Baby I'm, glad all over,
So glad you're mine."
Palace fans have been belting out Beatles hit Glad All Over since the late 60s, when it was performed by The Dave Clark Five – who wrote the song – at Selhurst Park. Now a tradition in south London, it has become a staple of the matchday experience.
Lyrics: "It’s good news for the blues,
And there’s no more time to lose,
Cos we’re hot on the trail,
And there’s no way we’re gonna fail,
So get your coat on and get moving,
Cos we don’t know the meaning of losing,
So come on come on,
Get down to Goodison Park,
Wooooo.
Everton, we never shone so brightly,
Everton, the spirit of the blues,
Everton, we never shone so brightly,
Everton, the spirit of the blues…"
As far as classic Everton songs go, there aren't many better than the Spirit of the Blues. Kenny Parry wrote the hit 38 years ago with Billy Kinsley in just one sitting.
Lyrics: "We are Fulham,
We are Fulham,
We are Fulham, FFC,
We are Fulham,
Super Fulham,
We are Fulham,
F*** Chelsea!"
Fulham aren't known for their wide array of chants, but this one is simple but effective, with a bit of vulgarity in there for good measure, so parental discretion is advised.
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Aston Villa have been warned that losing Douglas Luiz this summer is a possibility as they look to comply with financial fair play regulations ahead of the new season.
Once seemingly Arsenal-bound, Luiz has reached new heights at Villa Park this season. Deployed with more attacking freedom under Unai Emery, the Brazilian has scored nine times and grabbed six assists in the Premier League, helping Villa push for a spot in next season's Champions League.
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With fifth place likely to be enough for qualification into Europe's elite competition next season, the Midlands outfit have an 11 point gap to sixth-placed Manchester United as things stand, and will be hoping that a strong end to the season will allow them to maintain and even extend that gap to Erik ten Hag's side.
|
Most goals from Premier League midfielders |
||
|
Phil Foden |
Manchester City |
11 |
|
Cole Palmer |
Chelsea |
10 |
|
Douglas Luiz |
Aston Villa |
10 |
|
Kai Havertz |
Arsenal |
7 |
|
Scott McTominay |
Man United |
7 |
However, it has not been all rosy at Villa Park, with their latest financial reports suggesting that a lean summer may have to be in store unless they make the decision to part ways with some of their star men.
In their latest accounts, the club admitted that they had 'reported a loss for the year of £119.6m after tax', compared to a £0.3m profit last season, and this has inevitably led to concerns around financial fair play, which has already punished Everton once and could yet punish Nottingham Forest and the Toffees a second time for breaches.
It has led to speculation that sales could be necessary this summer should they wish to continue investing in the squad, and several names have already been linked with moves away.
Perhaps the most concrete link is that of Luiz, who has previously been subject to interest from Arsenal and now is thought to be on the radar of Manchester City, where he spent two years before joining Villa (albeit mostly out on loan).
Luiz penned a new contract at Villa in October 2022 to ward off Arsenal interest, but will be down to the final two years of that deal come this summer and could be one that Villa look to cash in on. Alongside the Gunners, Football Insider report that City are 'ready' to bring Luiz back to the Etihad after he has 'improved significantly' during his time at Villa Park.
It would not go down well with the fans though. Sky Sports' Dan Bardell spoke to VillaNews about the potential departure, and the Villa fan admitted that it would be a 'heartbreaking' exit were it to happen, but that nothing can be ruled out due to financial fair play regulations.
Goalscoring has long been a problem for West Ham United, with a consistent failure to sign a high-class centre-forward fit something of a problem for many years.
Jarrod Bowen has been in exceptional form this season and after scoring a hat-trick against Brentford at the start of March, David Moyes remarked that he could become the first Hammers player to reach 20 Premier League goals in a campaign. With nine games left to play, he would need six goals to achieve this feat.
Mohammed Kudus is also a sublime player and Michail Antonio thrives as the grizzled veteran dominating defenders with sheer power and deceptive movements.
The recent past, however, looks at high-profile moves for centre-forwards such as Gianluca Scamacca and Sebastien Haller and concludes that work still must be done to identify and acquire the best strikers to lead the line.
Danny Ings, Premier League-proven and innately effective in front of goal, was supposed to be that player, but the three-cap England international has failed to reach his former levels of success.
During the most fruitful period of his itinerant Premier League career, Ings plundered 46 goals and ten assists from 100 fixtures with Southampton, proving to be one of the Premier League's finest marksmen and being heralded as a "goal machine" by journalist Joe Prince-Wright.
Ings kept defenders on their feet, blessed with a strange, twisting sprinting style that sporting performance analyst Jonas Dodoo described as a "corkscrew action", allowing his body mechanics to lean into faster bursts of acceleration, effectively meaning he could weave round backlines and wreak havoc with his clinical shot-taking.
He left the south coast for Aston Villa but didn't spend much time with the Midlands side, transferring again to West Ham for £15m in January 2023, with the 31-year-old seemingly offering the steady goal flow that Moyes' side, hampered by the injury and absence of form to Scamacca, desperately needed.
Enduring one of the least potent spells of his professional career, Ings has only scored four goals from 46 appearances for West Ham, with his recent point-salvaging goal against Burnley in the Premier League – a good finish, mind – the striker's only strike of the season.
But why has this happened? While he didn't settle at Villa, Ings still posted six Premier League goals from nine starts for the club in the first half of the 2022/23 campaign.
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Moreover, he ranks among the top 20% of forwards across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for shot-creating actions, the top 25% for assists, the top 24% for successful take-ons, the top 12% for tackles, the top 10% for interceptions and the top 20% for clearances per 90.
He's not a dud, but The Athletic's Roshane Thomas has highlighted just why the £125k-per-week ace is flattering to deceive in east London, musing over stylistic issues within Moyes' tactical set-up.
|
West Ham's Highest Earners |
|
|---|---|
|
Player |
Salary |
|
Kalvin Phillips (on loan) |
£150k-per-week |
|
Lucas Paqueta |
£150k-per-week |
|
Danny Ings |
£125k-per-week |
|
Kurt Zouma |
£125k-per-week |
|
Alphonse Areola |
£120k-per-week |
|
Jarrod Bowen |
£120k-per-week |
|
Sourced via Capology |
|
“I don't think this system works for Danny Ings. He's often too isolated up front. Hasn't quite clicked barring his two goals against Nottingham Forest. Antonio has great work rate so he has no issues playing as a lone striker. But Ings has struggled in that role.”
Given Ings' high salary, it might be wise for West Ham to send him packing in the summer, and given the chequered track record with signing talented frontmen across recent years, Moyes may well turn to the academy, finding a prospect in Callum Marshall who would send Ings packing.
While Divin Mubama is probably the highest-profile West Ham youngster right now, Marshall might just be the cream of the crop, with the 19-year-old Northern Irishman earning a loan move to West Bromwich Albion in January after some mesmerising efforts for the U21s, also penning a long-term contract with the Irons.
Indeed, Marshall plundered a ridiculous return of 16 goals and three assists from just ten appearances in the Premier League 2 this term, leading to praise from Thomas for his "brilliant form."
Admittedly, he's only featured three times for the promotion-chasing Baggies so far and has won just 33% of his ground duels, as per Sofascore, which perhaps illuminates the growth and development in regard to physicality that is still needed.
The Championship is tough, physical, unrelenting, but Marshall certainly has the trappings of a high-level goalscorer in the future and West Ham have moved diligently and prudently to secure him on a long-term deal and provide him with some invaluable experience at this maiden stage of his career.
U23 scout and reporter Antonio Mango has gushed over the "insane" attacking qualities at Marshall's disposal, and it does seem to be just a matter of time before he blooms into a centre-forward fit to lead the line at the London Stadium.
As he continues to absorb important lessons at the Hawthorns, cutting his teeth with West Brom, then he might just return to the capital with the confidence and level-up in his development to succeed in the Premier League.
Given Bowen's goalscoring prowess and Antonio's continuing success as a rock-solid presence in the final third, Ings isn't really needed, and if Marshall is provided with the platform to compete under Moyes' wing, he might just add the prolific dimension that Ings simply isn't offering.
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Let's cast our minds back to the conclusion of the summer transfer window last year. Arsenal had just spent a seismic sum of money, notably to bring Declan Rice to the Emirates Stadium.
For a brief moment, Rice became a British record transfer, signing on for a grand total of £105m. Also welcomed with open arms to north London was £65m Kai Havertz and David Raya on loan. Jurrien Timber arrived too, captured for £38m.
However, besides the ever-impressive Rice, Arsenal's summer signings suddenly looked like poor business after the opening months of the campaign.
Timber sustained a devastating ACL injury on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and hasn't been seen since. Raya's first few weeks after replacing Aaron Ramsdale looked nervy and it took until November for Havertz to find a goal from open play.
Yet, as has often been the case since he became Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta got it right.
Raya has stood out the more he plays and was the penalty hero in the Champions League against Porto while Havertz's fortunes have changed considerably.
£65m on Havertz, you say? Yeah, it's a pretty outrageous sum of money for a player who struggled to stand out for the right reasons at Chelsea.
There was that famous night when he scored the winning goal in the Champions League final but beyond that the German never really got going, scoring just 32 goals across 139 appearances for the Blues.
A move was required and Arsenal came calling. However, the opening few months were riddled with criticism. His only goal for the Gunners across the first 12 league outings was a penalty against Bournemouth.
Fortunately, he's now revived his fortunes and become one of the most important members of Arteta's side.
2024 has been the year of Havertz who has scored in each of his last four league matches, also providing two assists in that time. The £280k-per-week man – who takes home the highest salary of any Arsenal player – is emphatically proving his doubters wrong.
He's impressed many, including former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon who has been delighted with his recent appearances in the red and white.
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of BetVictor Casino Dixon swooned over the 24-year-old's displays in recent times, admitting that while he always believed there was a player in there at Chelsea, he was initially on the fence about his move across London.
"Firstly, yeah, he's done really well," Dixon began. "I was one of those – and it's easy to say after the event – but I was one of those who sat on the fence and said, ‘look let's give him a little chance’. You know, people will go ’why have you spent that money on him? He's rubbish.’
"Some of the commentators and people were set on their opinion and that's absolutely what they should do if that's what they believe, but I just thought, we've all seen stuff in him when he was at Chelsea and there is a player in there, it's just a case of finding a home and it looks like he's really comfortable now."
"I think when you've got a player who seems to be a confidence player – not everybody is – but we all like to play with confidence in the place where we think nothing's going to go wrong. Some players can play through that and he looks like that player."
Havertz has played in a number of roles since signing for Arsenal. Arteta initially thought the German could act as a replacement for Granit Xhaka in the no.8 role but his best displays have actually come as a false 9.
With Gabriel Jesus injured and Eddie Nketiah not preferred, the former Chelsea man has been entrusted as the focal point of the attack and delivered some truly impressive displays.
That's thanks to what Dixon thinks is an incredibly 'unique' profile. Discussing Havertz's best qualities and play style, the former England international commented: "He's showing that he feels at home and the positions that he's taken up and his ability to be dangerous around the box gives Arsenal just a little bit of an extra dynamic."
"So, instead of players looking at him going ‘oh, Kai Havertz? He's not going to cause much trouble’, now all of a sudden he is a problem. He changes how teams play against you. He’s got a very unique style to his play in that he is quite languid at times. And then other times he’s really athletic. So he's quite different to a lot of players that Arsenal have which is a good thing."
So, the mega-money signing has turned his career around at just the right time. Arsenal face a massive test in the title race when they face Manchester City on Sunday. They then have to take on Bayern Munich in the Champions League. If they are to come through those ties with victories in hand, they will need Havertz at his best.
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