James Garner wants Everton to emulate Nottingham Forest’s league heroics going into next season as they plan to move to the new world-class stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. Everton beat third-placed Forest 1-0 at City Ground courtesy of Abdoulaye Doucoure’s stoppage-time winner to climb to 13th in the league table.
Forest have been the revelation of the season. After finishing 17th in 2023-24 and avoiding relegation by just six points, they have completely turned their fortunes around and are currently in the hunt for the Champions League places.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have won 17 of their 32 matches and were unbeaten on home soil since November until the Blues’ visit this weekend.
Asked if Everton can take inspiration from what the East Midlanders have done this term, Garner said, “Massively, yes. I think that’s the plan for next season.
“We want to be a surprise pick in the table for next season. I don’t think many people would expect us to finish in the top half of the table next season, but we know and definitely know that we’ve got the players and we’ve got the ability, and we’ve definitely got the team to finish in the top half.
“So they’ve gone on an inspiring run, and there’s no reason why we wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Although Everton’s winner may have come in stoppage time, David Moyes’ side dominated the hosts throughout the game and were deserved winners on the day, a fact acknowledged by Forest boss Espirito Santo as well.
“I think we dominated the game from minute one. We knew it was going to be tough here, they’ve made this place a bit of a fortress,” Garner added.
“We knew the threats that we had, very good on the counter-attack. There’s not many teams that have come here and won, so we’re more than happy.”
The 24-year-old midfielder is familiar with the club and before his £9m transfer to Everton in 2022, Garner spent a season-and-a-half on loan at Forest from Manchester United,
Everton have been in fine form since Moyes took over a struggling side that was on the cusp of getting dragged into a relegation battle. Although victory at City Ground was their first win since February, they lost just one match during that period and even embarked on a nine-game unbeaten run.
There’s potential in this side waiting to be harnessed and with smart investments this summer, the Blues could challenge for a place in the top half of the table next season.