Nottingham Forest’s decision-makers are reportedly growing uneasy about Neco Williams’ form, coming almost immediately after the club tied him down to a lucrative contract extension through 2030.
The 25-year-old Wales international put pen to paper on his new deal after Forest fought off strong interest from both Tottenham and Manchester United, determined to keep hold of one of their most valued squad members. Yet almost as soon as the ink dried, Williams’ performances have dipped — a slump that mirrors Forest’s shaky start to the season under new head coach Oliver Glasner.
The numbers make for grim reading at the City Ground. Forest have won just a single match from their opening five Premier League fixtures, and were dumped out of the League Cup by Leeds. A further blow came with a 1-0 loss to newly-promoted Coventry City, a result that has intensified scrutiny on Glasner’s early tenure.
Speaking to Football Insider, former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown moved to calm fears that Williams’ new contract has sapped his motivation — a pattern sometimes seen when players secure long-term security. Brown was clear he doesn’t believe that explanation fits Williams, whom he described as a player with the right character and reputation. Instead, he pointed to a more logical culprit: the adjustment period that comes with a new manager reshaping the team’s tactical identity.
According to Brown, Williams isn’t alone — several Forest players are still finding their feet under Glasner’s methods, and the club is bracing for a period of transition rather than panicking over one player’s dip in form. Brown suggested Forest’s hierarchy understands this and will show patience with Williams given how highly he’s rated by both the coaching staff and the fanbase.
But patience with players may not extend to the manager’s chair. Brown has also warned that Glasner himself could be dismissed “at any moment” if results don’t turn around soon — a stark suggestion given how early it still is in the season. Owner Evangelos Marinakis has a well-documented history of moving quickly when performances fall short of expectations, and sources suggest he expected far more from this Forest side by now.
That combination — a big-money player underperforming and a head coach under mounting pressure — has created a genuinely volatile atmosphere at the City Ground. While Brown says it would be a shock if Glasner were sacked outright given how new he is to the role, he stopped short of ruling it out entirely.
For Forest supporters, the coming weeks look pivotal. A response is needed both from Williams individually and from the team collectively if the growing unease is to be replaced with results — and if Glasner is to be given the runway many feel he still deserves.
