James McAtee and Oliver Glasner looking happy on the pitch at the City Ground

James McAtee has been sensational for Nottingham Forest this season.Manh Tung - Breaking Media

James McAtee among three Nottingham Forest players whose stock has soared this season

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

03 Oct 2026, 2:08 pm

Oliver Glasner's Nottingham Forest tenure has not gotten off to the best of starts, but not everything is negative at the City Ground.

Unsurprisingly, the manager is under pressure, not least after his side's 1-0 home defeat to Coventry City before the international break.

Forest will be hoping to get back to winning ways against Crystal Palace on Sunday, 11 October, and that should be possible if they bring their best.

Goals from Liam Delap and Igor Jesus meant that the Reds claimed a surprise 2-1 win over Aston Villa last month, and fans want more of the same.

Things have not quite gelled fully on the pitch, but there are positive signs, with Morgan Gibbs-White, predictably at the forefront of everything good.

Amongst the negatives, Football Insider has dived into three players who will have seen their valuations rise in the early stages of the season.

James McAtee

James McAtee was in desperate need of some leadership, and that's exactly what he's got at the City Ground, and in a new position.

Moving into a centre-midfield role, with boatloads of responsibility, has been the best thing for the former Manchester City gem. He's sometimes the best player on the pitch.

Jair Cunha

With Nikola Milenkovic injured, Brazilian Jair Cunha has stepped up in an unbelievable way, starting four of Forest's five Premier League games.

The 21-year-old centre-half has earned his debut with the Brazil national team, and was even given his first start against Australia on Tuesday, 29 September.