Latest Nottingham Forest news, as NottinghamshireLive examines Neco Williams’ excellent run of form.
Nottingham Forest faced a transfer choice over the summer as they reviewed their team for the new season.
Leeds United were interested in signing Neco Williams on loan from Tottenham Hotspur prior to signing Djed Spence. The Welshman had joined the Reds from Liverpool the previous year, although he was in and out of the squad throughout his debut season.
Williams was still regarded as an asset to Forest, as a young player with a lot of potential. However, Steve Cooper, the team’s head coach at the time, was concerned about whether he would receive the regular game time he need this season to continue developing.
The Reds decided that Williams should stay put. Nonetheless, it appeared like the club would have to reconsider his future in January, as he had not been a consistent starter in the first half of the season.
Leeds would have waited in the wings. They continued to monitor the 22-year-old as it became evident that Spence’s move to Elland Road was not going well.
Fast forward a few months, and there is little doubt Forest made the correct decision. Williams was recently named February’s Player of the Month, which he fully deserves.
He has been in excellent form of late. Even if contenders for the jersey Gonzalo Montiel and Ola Aina were healthy, they would struggle to overtake Williams in the pecking order right now.
The teenager has established himself at right back. He has started seven of Forest’s last eight games in all competitions and has been excellent. He plays with unlimited vigor and wears his heart on his sleeve.
Playing in a back four, he has also put an end to the discussion over whether he is a wing-back or a full-back. He has demonstrated his ability to work in both positions and on both sides. Given manager Nuno Espirito Santo’s inclination for a small squad, this versatility can be very valuable.
“He definitely has a lot of potential,” Nuno stated about Williams last month. “I don’t like to go into detail about that in case the gamer sees it. But I’ve previously had private chats with Neco and many other players about how to improve, so he’s aware of my thoughts on the subject.”
Williams and Forest as a whole still have a lot of opportunity for improvement under Nuno. The Welsh international is young and will make mistakes. However, he has already made significant progress, and he can play an important role in the fight for Premier League survival between now and the conclusion of the season.
