Neco Williams: The full package for Forest.

The Wales international has signed a new four-year contract with Nottingham Forest and has developed into one of Nuno’s most indispensable players.

Versatile, dogged, dedicated. Neco Williams and Nottingham Forest have finally reached an agreement over new contract terms, which will see the full-back extend his stay at the City Ground until the summer of 2029.

He amassed 35 appearances in Forest’s transformative Premier League campaign, scoring one goal and supplying three assists.

The Tricky Trees more than doubled their points tally from the 2023/24 season when they were on the brink of relegation, and Matz Sels won his first Golden Glove award.

Forest supporters will witness European football for the first time in over three decades as Nuno’s men finished seventh to book a spot in the Conference League.

They even stabilised themselves in third place for the majority of last term, and Nuno enforced a distinct style of play that opponents simply struggled to overcome.

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Williams was undoubtedly one of the players whose characteristics complemented his manager’s tactical intentions, and he reignited the defensive grit and intimidating atmosphere synonymous with proceedings at the City Ground.

He joined Liverpool on a £16 million deal in the summer of 2022 as Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold became established stalwarts under Jurgen Klopp.

His first goal for Forest actually came against his former club at Anfield. After a heroic goal-line clearance, he notched a significant goal as his deflected effort made its way into the net.

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In 2023/24, he played in 26 top flight games and was really effective in winning duels, which set the necessary tone as Forest contended with a relegation scrap.

With more game time afforded to Williams, he has come on leaps and bounds in several attributes, even surpassing the very best full-backs in the league.

The 24-year-old more frequently played at right-back two seasons ago, but adjusted into a more than capable left-back for the majority of matches last season.

This adaptability, a trait impressively shared by full-back counterpart Ola Aina, has paid dividends when utilised effectively by Nuno.

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Williams lasted just 24 minutes in Wales’ World Cup qualifying game against Liechtenstein after he was forced off with an ankle injury.

He was stretchered off in the game in early June following a demanding domestic season, perhaps paying the price, like so many players, of overexertion, considering his position too.

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The club and player are hopeful Williams can return for the pre-season period before Forest seek to maintain their status in European competition next season.

Modern full-back in attack
Forest had the third least average possession in the league, and despite his assigned role being defensively-oriented, Williams’ offensive contributions for The Tricky Trees were more significant than one would expect.

He scored his one and only goal at the City Ground when Forest thrashed Brighton 7-0 as red shirts flooded the box and Williams was there to fire into the roof of the net, capitalising on a rebound.

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While, his three assists exemplified what he can offer to Forest going forward.

In a 2-0 win away against Brentford, Williams accurately provided a driven cross to find an approaching Ola Aina from the opposite flank.

Meanwhile, after two early goals pegged Forest back at Aston Villa, Forest were forced to conjure up atypical dominance in-possession.

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Williams was at the forefront of Forest registering 19 shots, eventually assisting Jota Silva, and made several positive runs into the final third to support Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Regarding Williams, there is more than meets the eye in attack, since he created more chances than Ola Aina in the top flight in the same number of games.

Also, according to Fbref statistics, he boasted a higher number of touches in the final third per 90 minutes compared to full-back Tino Livramento, who featured in a Newcastle United side with over 10% more possession than Forest.

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Additionally, Williams exceeded his positional peers in the Premier League in most fouls drawn per 90 minutes, specifically compared to Jurrien Timber, Lewis Hall, Aina and Livramento.

The total number of shots he recorded ranked among the top percentile of full-backs in the Premier League, and his confidence in Forest’s three successive penalty shootouts in the FA Cup elucidated another facet of his game, alongside commendable composure for a supposed defender.

He converted his penalty emphatically against League One side Exeter City, nestling his strike into the top-left corner, and he picked the same spot against Ipswich Town.

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Nuno designated Williams as one of the initial five takers in the quarter-final shootout against Brighton, however, Williams’ effort sailed over the bar.

Fortunately, his teammates managed to defeat The Seagulls with the remaining penalties and the club reached their first FA Cup semi-final in 34 years.

After picking up a yellow card, Williams had to serve a suspension for the tie against Manchester City at Wembley, and alongside Aina’s absence with injury, Forest’s chances of glory were diminished before the game even began.

Nuno had to resort to handing Zach Abbott a place in the starting lineup, as well as outcast Harry Toffolo at left-back.

Traditionally tenacious defender
As per Fbref, Williams’ clearances, tackles in the defensive third, and percentage of aerial duels won stood above Timber, Aina, and Livramento per 90 minutes in the Premier League.

Forest were often subjected to long periods without the ball when defensive discipline was a requirement to keep your place in Nuno’s lineups.

Once Forest scored the first goal, this system was optimised, and Williams was one player who dealt with unpredictable and quality wingers, ultimately being a crucial cog in the defensive machine Nuno had built.

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The manager, who joins Williams in signing a new contract this summer, may adapt his style as opponents find solutions and Forest encounter scenarios where they struggle to execute the customary game plan of last season.

Williams’ defensive intuition remains imperative, but his attributes going forward could be a factor in Nuno giving the seal of approval to the contract extension as he may look to implement different tactical plans ahead of another campaign in charge.

The contracts of Aina and Hudson-Odoi both expire next year, and Forest would be risking letting both players go on a free if new deals are not finalised.

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Evangelos Marinakis and Nuno will be eager to retain most of the personnel that produced a breathtaking league result and defied expectations.

There has been a considerable lack of action regarding incomings; however, Botafogo striker Igor Jesus will be added to the ranks as his transfer is all but completed, and Marinakis will surely recognise the squad depth required to balance domestic and European competition.