2021–22 Nottingham Forest F.C. season explained

Club:	Nottingham Forest F.C.
Season:	2021–22
Owner:	Evangelos Marinakis
Chairman:	Nicholas Randall
Manager:	Chris Hughton (until 16 September 2021) Steve Cooper (from 21 September 2021)^[1]
Stadium:	City Ground
League:	Championship
League Result:	4th (promoted via play-offs)
Cup1:	Play-offs
Cup1 Result:	Winners
Cup2:	FA Cup
Cup2 Result:	Quarter-finals
Cup3:	EFL Cup
Cup3 Result:	Second round
League Topscorer:	Brennan Johnson (16)
Season Topscorer:	Brennan Johnson (19)
Highest Attendance:	29,293
Lowest Attendance:	23,830
Average Attendance:	27,176
Prevseason:	2020–21
Nextseason:	2022–23
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The 2021–22 season was Nottingham Forest's 156th year in existence, and 14th consecutive season in the EFL Championship. Along with the league, the club also competed in the FA Cup and the EFL Cup. The season covered the period between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2022.

Managerial changes

On 16 September 2021 Chris Hughton was relieved from his managerial duties with immediate effect, after Forest started the season with only one point from their first seven games.^[2] Hughton was succeeded by former Swansea City manager Steve Cooper, who was named as first team head coach on 21 September.^[1]

Players

^[3]

	Name	Nationality	Date of birth (age)	Previous club	Joined first team	Contract ends
Goalkeepers
1	Ethan Horvath		1995 6, df=yes	Club Brugge	2021	2024
12	Jordan Smith		1994 12, df=yes	Forest Academy	2016	2023
30	Brice Samba		1994 4, df=yes	Caen	2019	2023
Defenders
2	Djed Spence		2000 8, df=yes	Middlesbrough	2021	2022
3	Tobias Figueiredo		1994 2, df=yes	Sporting	2018	2022
4	Joe Worrall		1997 1, df=yes	Forest Academy	2016	2024
6	Loïc Mbe Soh		2001 6, df=yes	Paris Saint-Germain	2020	2024
13	Gaëtan Bong		1988 4, df=yes	Brighton & Hove Albion	2020	2022
14	Richie Laryea		1995 1, df=yes	Toronto FC	2022	2025
15	Max Lowe		1997 5, df=yes	Sheffield United	2021	2022
24	Jonathan Panzo		2000 10, df=yes	Dijon	2022	2025
26	Scott McKenna		1996 11, df=yes	Aberdeen	2020	2024
27	Steve Cook		1991 4, df=yes	AFC Bournemouth	2022	2024
Midfielders
8	Jack Colback		1989 10, df=yes	Newcastle United	2020	2023
11	Philip Zinckernagel		1994 12, df=yes	Watford	2021	2022
18	Cafú		1993 2, df=yes	Olympiacos	2020	2023
21	Braian Ojeda		2000 6, df=yes	Olimpia	2021	2025
22	Ryan Yates		1997 11, df=yes	Forest Academy	2016	2025
37	James Garner		2001 3, df=yes	Manchester United	2021	2022
Forwards
7	Lewis Grabban		1988 1, df=yes	AFC Bournemouth	2018	2022
9	Keinan Davis		1998 2, df=yes	Aston Villa	2022	2022
16	Sam Surridge		1998 7, df=yes	Stoke City	2022	2024
17	Alex Mighten		2002 4, df=yes	Forest Academy	2020	2025
19	Xande Silva		1997 3, df=yes	West Ham United	2021	2023
20	Brennan Johnson		2001 5, df=yes	Forest Academy	2019	2023
23	Joe Lolley		1992 8, df=yes	Huddersfield Town	2018	2023

Pre-season and friendlies

Forest announced their pre-season schedule would include friendlies against Alfreton Town,^[4] Port Vale,^[5] Northampton Town,^[5] Crewe Alexandra,^[5] Aston Villa^[6] and Burnley.^[6]

Competitions

EFL Championship

See main article: 2021–22 EFL Championship.

Matches

^[7]

Play-offs

See main article: 2022 English Football League play-offs.

FA Cup

See main article: 2021–22 FA Cup.

Nottingham Forest were drawn at home to Arsenal in the third round.^[8]

EFL Cup

See main article: 2021–22 EFL Cup.

Forest were drawn at home to Bradford City in the first round^{[9] [10]} and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the second round.^{[11] [12]}

Transfers

In

Transfers in

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Fee	Team	Ref.
5 July 2021			Billy Fewster		Free transfer
5 July 2021			Lewis Salmon		Undisclosed		^[13]
13 July 2021			Nicky Hogarth		Free transfer		^[14]
13 July 2021					Free transfer		^[15]
13 August 2021			Joe Watkins		Free transfer		^[16]
31 August 2021					Undisclosed		^[17]
31 August 2021					Undisclosed
31 August 2021					Undisclosed		^[18]
2 September 2021					Free transfer		^[19]
4 January 2022					Free transfer		^[20] ^[21]
8 January 2022					Undisclosed		^[22]
31 January 2022					Undisclosed		^[23]
31 January 2022					Undisclosed		^[24]
9 March 2022			Ethan Hull		Undisclosed		^[25]
9 March 2022			Bobby Jack McAleese		Undisclosed

Loans in

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	From	Duration	Team	Ref.
7 August 2021					End of season		^[26]
10 August 2021					6 January 2022		^[27] ^[28]
22 August 2021					End of season		^[29]
27 August 2021					End of season		^[30]
1 September 2021					End of season		^[31]
1 January 2022					End of season		^[32]

Out

Transfers out

Date	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Fee	Team	Ref.
1 July 2021					Released		^[33]
1 July 2021			Elliott Andrew		Released
1 July 2021			Keith Asare	Retired
1 July 2021				Retired			^[34] ^[35]
1 July 2021			Ethan Dekel-Daks		Released		^[36]
1 July 2021					Released
1 July 2021					Released		^[37]
1 July 2021			Adrian Galliani		Released		^[38]
1 July 2021					Released		^[39]
1 July 2021				Retired			^[40]
1 July 2021				Retired
1 July 2021			Grigoris Pietris		Released
1 July 2021			Fotis Pikoulas		Released
1 July 2021					Released		^[41]
1 July 2021					Released		^[42]
1 July 2021					Released		^[43]
1 July 2021			Malique Spooner		Released
1 July 2021			Michael Statham		Released		^[44]
6 August 2021					Free transfer		^[45]
16 August 2021					Free transfer		^[46]
31 August 2021					Undisclosed		^[47]
21 January 2022					Undisclosed		^[48]
29 January 2022					Undisclosed		^[49]
31 January 2022					Contract terminated		^[50] ^[51]

Loans out

Date from	Position	Nationality	Name	To	Duration	Team	Ref.
25 June 2021					6 January 2022		^[52]
5 July 2021					End of season		^[53]
16 August 2021			Josh Barnes		One month		^[54]
31 August 2021					4 January 2022		^[55]
31 August 2021					End of season
14 September 2021					One month		^[56]
9 October 2021					One month		^[57]
7 December 2021					End of season		^[58] ^[59]
18 January 2022					End of season		^[60]
19 January 2022					End of season		^[61]
27 January 2022					End of season		^[62]
2 February 2022					End of season		^[63]
16 February 2022			Morgan Thomas-Sadler		End of season		^[64]
22 February 2022			Sam Sanders		End of season		^[65] ^[66]
16 March 2022					End of season		^[67]
24 March 2022			Lewis Salmon		End of season		^[68]

New contracts

Date	Position	Nationality	Player	Old contract end	New contract end	Ref.
5 July 2021			Josh Barnes	2021	2022	^[69]
5 July 2021				2021	2022
5 July 2021			Sam Sanders	2021	2022
5 July 2021			Jordan Wright	2021
13 July 2021
10 August 2021			Aaron Donnelly		2022	^[70]
15 December 2021				2022	2024	^[71]
6 January 2022						^[72]
14 March 2022				2023	2025	^[73]
14 March 2022				2022	2023	^[74]
21 April 2022			Julian Larsson		2025	^[75]

Statistics

Goals and appearances

|}

Awards

Club

BOXT Goal of the Season

League

Sky Bet Championship Team of the Season

Result	Player
	Djed Spence
	Joe Worrall
	Ryan Yates

Sky Bet Championship Player of the Month

Result	Month	Player
	March	Djed Spence	^[79]
	April	Brennan Johnson	^[80]

EFL's Young Player of the Month

Result	Month	Player
	September	Brennan Johnson	^[81]
	March	Djed Spence

PFA Vertu Motors Fans' Player of the Month

Cup

Emirates FA Cup Player of the Round

Notes and References

1. News: Steve Cooper appointed head coach. Nottingham Forest F.C.. 21 September 2021.
2. Web site: Club Statement . Nottingham Forest Football Club . 16 September 2021.
3. Web site: First Team Squad. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 8 June 2021.
4. Web site: Pre-Season Update . Nottingham Forest FC . 7 July 2021.
5. Web site: Initial Pre-Season Schedule Confirmed . Nottingham Forest FC . 29 June 2021.
6. Web site: Premier League Duo Added To Pre-Season Schedule . Nottingham Forest FC . 2 July 2021.
7. Web site: 2021-22 Fixtures Revealed . Nottingham Forest FC . 24 June 2021.
8. News: Third Round Draw . 6 December 2021 . The Football Association . 9 December 2021.
9. Web site: The Reds Face Bradford In The Carabao Cup . Nottingham Forest FC . 25 June 2021.
10. Web site: Carabap Cup Date Confirmed . Nottingham Forest FC . 6 July 2021.
11. Web site: Carabao Cup Round Two draw confirmed . EFL . 12 August 2021.
12. Web site: Wolves Date Confirmed . Nottingham Forest FC . 17 August 2021.
13. Web site: Double signing for the Academy . Nottingham Forest Football Club . 5 July 2021.
14. Web site: New signing and contract extension for Academy . Nottingham Forest Football Club. 13 July 2021.
15. Web site: First summer signing checks in . Nottingham Forest Football Club . 13 July 2021.
16. Web site: Forest U23s: Andy Reid's Season Preview. Nottingham Forest Football Club . 13 August 2021.
17. Web site: Two more signings as Ojeda checks in. Nottingham Forest Football Club . 31 August 2021.
18. Web site: Xande Silva joins The Reds. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 31 August 2021.
19. Web site: Rodrigo Ely joins Forest. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 2 September 2021.
20. Web site: Cook joins The Reds. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 4 January 2022.
21. Web site: Confirmed: Nottingham Forest complete second signing of January transfer window. 4 January 2022. Sarah Clapson. Nottinghamshire Live.
22. Web site: Laryea checks in from Toronto. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 8 January 2022.
23. Web site: Surridge signs for The Reds. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 31 January 2022.
24. Web site: Panzo arrives on Trentside. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 31 January 2022.
25. Web site: Double signing for Academy . Nottingham Forest Football Club. 9 March 2022.
26. Web site: Zinckernagel joins Forest. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 7 August 2021.
27. Web site: Third summer signing checks in. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 10 August 2021.
28. Web site: Osei-Tutu returns to Arsenal. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 6 January 2022.
29. Web site: Garner is back. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 22 August 2021.
30. Web site: Max Lowe checks in. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 27 August 2021.
31. Web site: Djed Spence signs on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 1 September 2021.
32. Web site: Davis arrives on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 1 January 2022.
33. Web site: Boro sign Sammy Ameobi . Middlesbrough Football Club. 29 June 2021.
34. Web site: Dawson bids farewell as released list confirmed . Nottingham Forest Football Club. 2 June 2021.
35. Web site: Michael Dawson: Former England, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Hull defender retires. BBC Sport. 6 August 2021.
36. Web site: Daks brings attacking play to Stone Stadium pitch. The Big Spur. 30 November 2021.
37. Web site: Shels sign Ledwidge and En-Neyah. Shelbourne Football Club. 30 July 2021.
38. Web site: Ο Αντριάν Γκαλιάνι στον Ολυμπιακό!. To10.GR. 8 June 2021 . Greek.
39. Web site: Effectif National 3 – Saison 2021-2022. Paris Football Club. French. 7 January 2022.
40. Web site: Former Nottingham Forest defender posts emotional message after making big decision. Nottinghamshire Live. 26 July 2021. Sarah Clapson.
41. Web site: Alfreton sign Two new recruits ahead of Bradford PA clash. Alfreton Town Football Club. 30 October 2021.
42. Web site: https://legia.com/pilka-nozna/yuri-ribeiro-pilkarzem-legii-zobacz-kulisy-transferu-[wideo/14065 Yuri Ribeiro piłkarzem Legii! Zobacz kulisy transferu]. Polish. 23 August 2021. Legia Warsaw.
43. Web site: Samba Sow: De l'expérience et du leadership avec la N2!. French. Racing Club de Lens. 22 September 2021.
44. Web site: Latest Player Registrations up to 28 November 2021. Gary. Langley. www.nwcfl.com.
45. Web site: Blackett moves to the MLS. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 6 August 2021.
46. Web site: Bachirou departs for Cyprus. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 16 August 2021.
47. Web site: Jordan Gabriel joins Blackpool. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 31 August 2021.
48. Web site: Wright departs for Lincoln City. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 21 January 2022.
49. Web site: Carvalho departs for Olympiacos. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 28 January 2022.
50. Web site: Nottingham Forest confirm transfer deadline day exit as defender departs. Sarah Clapson. Nottinghamshire Live. 31 January 2022.
51. Web site: Rodrigo Ely, fortaleza y experiencia para la defensa del Almería | Almería - Web Oficial. Rodrigo Ely, fortaleza y experiencia para la defensa del Almería | Almería - Web Oficial.
52. Web site: Shelvey joins Mansfield Town on loan. 25 June 2021. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
53. Web site: Ioannou departs on loan. 5 July 2021. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
54. Web site: U23s: Josh Barnes joins Truro on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 17 August 2021.
55. Web site: Arter & Da Costa depart on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 31 August 2021.
56. Web site: Defender Rama joins on loan. Truro City Football Club. 14 September 2021.
57. Web site: Bulls Sign Goalkeeper Jordan Wright on Loan. Hereford Football Club. 9 October 2021.
58. Web site: Richardson joins on loan. Notts County Football Club. 7 December 2021.
59. Web site: Jayden here for the season. Notts County Football Club. 7 January 2022.
60. Web site: Fornah departs on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 18 January 2022.
61. Web site: Jenkinson departs for Melbourne. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 19 January 2022.
62. Web site: Taylor departs on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 27 January 2022.
63. Web site: Dräger heads out on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 2 February 2022.
64. Web site: Nottingham Forest defender signs for Ilkeston Town on loan. Derbyshire Times. 17 February 2022.
65. Web site: Sam Sanders loaned from Nottingham Forest. York City F.C.. 22 February 2022. 25 February 2022. 26 June 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220626011720/https://yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/news/first-team/sam-sanders-loaned-nottingham-forest. dead.
66. Web site: Sanders loan extended until end of season.
67. Web site: Arter joins Notts County on loan. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 16 March 2022.
68. Web site: Reds complete Salmon swoop. Alfreton Town Football Club. 24 March 2022.
69. Web site: Double signing for the Academy. 5 July 2021. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
70. Web site: Donnelly signs professional contract. 10 August 2021 . Nottingham Forest Football Club.
71. Web site: Fornah signs new deal. 15 December 2021. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
72. Web site: Esapa Osong signs professional contract. 6 January 2022. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
73. Web site: Yates signs new deal. 14 March 2022. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
74. Web site: Smith pens new contract. 14 March 2022. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
75. Web site: Larsson Signs New Deal. 21 April 2022. Nottingham Forest Football Club.
76. News: McKenna wins UK Meds Player of the Season. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 14 June 2022.
77. News: Colback wins BOXT Goal of the Season. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 13 June 2022.
78. News: Forest trio named in Championship team of the season. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 24 April 2022.
79. News: Djed scoops trio of awards for March. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 15 April 2022.
80. News: Forest duo claim EFL monthly awards. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 13 May 2022.
81. News: Brennan Johnson named the EFL's Young player of the month for September. EFL. 16 October 2021.
82. News: Brennan nominated for PFA fans' player of the month. Nottingham Forest Football Club. 7 March 2022.
83. News: Nottingham Forrst star Brennan Johnson wins FA Cup accolade. Nottingham Forest News. 9 February 2022.