Chelsea win 'was the story of the squad players'
The story of Vitor Pereira's time at Nottingham Forest is now 10 games unbeaten, our longest run for 10 years. James McAtee was captain and player of the match in England's European Under-21 Championship final win last summer.
[BBC] [Getty Images] The story of Vitor Pereira's time at Nottingham Forest is now 10 games unbeaten, our longest run for 10 years. On top of that - the most away goals (19) in the Premier League in 2026; the joint-most away points (16) in the Premier League in 2026; and taking a 1-0 win into the second leg of a Europa League semi-final. But Monday's 3-1 win at Chelsea was the story of the squad players - the players who've not been regular starters, unfairly maligned and struggling for form.
Dilane Bakwa arrived as one of the hottest wingers in European football. James McAtee was captain and player of the match in England's European Under-21 Championship final win last summer. Taiwo Awoniyi, cult hero to many, has had very few match minutes - despite a wonder goal at Brentford in January - after being placed into an induced coma after abdominal surgery last May.
Previous managers threw the second-string players into cup games this season and saw them flounder. Pereira has integrated them, given them confidence and trusted their talent to shine through. Sometimes, all a player needs is an arm around them and given a green light to do their thing.
His welcoming, inclusive environment has ensured the whole squad are together as one, knowing their contribution counts and they are all fighting for each other. As the Portuguese said on Monday: "I changed the players, but it didn't change the spirit. " And the result was clear proof of the bond in the dressing room.