Nottingham Forest Edge Past Exeter in FA Cup Thriller, but Performance Raises Concerns

Nottingham Forest narrowly avoided an FA Cup upset, scraping past League One side Exeter City in a tense 4-2 penalty shootout victory after an entertaining 2-2 draw at St James’ Park. While Forest managed to progress, their performance left a lot to be desired, with Exeter pushing them all the way and arguably deserving more from the match.

For Forest fans, this was another frustrating display from their team, with a lack of control in midfield, sloppy mistakes, and a failure to take chances all contributing to an unnecessarily difficult night. On the other hand, Exeter put in a performance filled with heart, determination, and energy, making it clear they weren’t going to roll over for their Premier League opponents.

Taiwo Awoniyi’s Eventful Night – A Goal and a Broken Nose

One of the few bright spots for Forest was Taiwo Awoniyi, who endured an eventful evening. The Nigerian striker scored a crucial goal in the first half, showing his poacher’s instinct in front of goal. However, his night took a painful turn when he suffered a broken nose during the contest. Despite the injury, he continued to battle on, showing his grit and determination, which will have pleased Nuno Espírito Santo.

Awoniyi has struggled with injuries and inconsistency this season, so finding the net will be a big confidence boost for him. If Forest are to climb the Premier League table and secure their top-flight status, they will need Awoniyi to stay fit and rediscover his best form.

Exeter City’s Brave Display – A Performance to Be Proud Of

While Forest escaped with a win, this match was very much about Exeter City and their fearless approach. Gary Caldwell’s side were superb on the night, showing that they were not intimidated by their Premier League opponents. They played with intensity, organisation, and belief, and at times, they had Forest on the ropes.

Exeter’s Josh Magennis was a standout performer, leading the line brilliantly. He was a constant thorn in Forest’s defense, causing problems with his hold-up play, movement, and physical presence. Exeter matched Forest in every department, and with a little more composure in front of goal, they might have pulled off a famous FA Cup upset.

They can hold their heads high after this performance, and if they maintain this level, they should be in for a strong second half of the League One season.

Forest’s Calmness in the Penalty Shootout

While much of the night was chaotic and nerve-wracking for Forest fans, their penalty shootout display was anything but. The Reds showed ice-cold composure from 12 yards, scoring all four of their penalties, while Exeter missed twice.

The spot-kicks were dispatched with confidence and precision, as four of Forest’s substitutes stepped up and delivered under pressure. While their overall performance was far from convincing, their penalty-taking was one aspect of the game where they looked assured.

Roy Keane, speaking as a pundit on ITV Sport, noted that Forest handled the pressure of the shootout far better than Exeter. He admitted that while their performance in open play was disappointing, their penalty execution was one of the few positives from the night.

Roy Keane’s Scathing Criticism of Jota Silva

One of the biggest disappointments of the night was Jota Silva, who failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity to impress. Having scored his first Premier League goal against Brighton, this was a chance for him to show that he deserved more regular starts. Instead, he put in a lackluster performance, frustrating both fans and pundits alike.

Silva’s most damning moment came in the last seconds of the game, when he had a chance to win it for Forest but somehow hit the post from close range. Roy Keane was brutally honest in his assessment of Silva’s miss, stating:

“That’s a big miss, it’s a criticism I’m afraid. You’ve got to hit the target, make the keeper save it, you can’t hit the post there.”

Keane’s criticism was harsh but fair—in such a crucial moment, Silva simply had to score. Instead, his wasted opportunity summed up his frustrating night.

Jota Silva’s Struggles – Where Does He Stand in the Squad?

Beyond his missed chance, Silva struggled throughout the game. He grew increasingly frustrated, giving away needless fouls and failing to make a meaningful impact in attack.

The reality is that he is miles behind players like Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi in the pecking order. He simply isn’t at their level yet, and performances like this will only reinforce Nuno’s doubts about starting him in bigger matches.

There was some surprise that Silva played the full 90 minutes, especially with Elanga on the bench. However, Nuno opted to rest Elanga for Forest’s crucial Premier League clash against Fulham on Saturday. Based on Silva’s poor display, it is highly unlikely he will start that game.

At best, Silva appears to be an impact substitute, someone who can bring energy off the bench. However, if he wants to be more than just a squad player, he must improve—fast.

A Wake-Up Call for Forest

Despite getting through to the next round, this performance should serve as a wake-up call for Nottingham Forest. They made hard work of a game they should have won comfortably, and their struggles against a lower-league side raise serious concerns.

Forest have a huge game against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, and they cannot afford to play like this if they want to get a result. Sloppy defending, wasted chances, and a lack of control in midfield all need to be addressed before they face a much stronger opponent.

The FA Cup is a competition filled with upsets, and Forest came dangerously close to being on the wrong end of one. They must learn from this experience and improve significantly if they are to have a successful season.

Final Thoughts – What’s Next for Forest?

While escaping with a win, Forest’s performance raised plenty of concerns. Awoniyi’s goal and their penalty-taking were positives, but beyond that, there was little to be impressed by.

Jota Silva’s struggles were a major talking point, and unless he shows significant improvement, it is hard to see him playing a big role in the coming weeks. With Elanga and Hudson-Odoi ahead of him, his chances may become even more limited.

Now, all attention shifts to Fulham, where Forest will need a far better performance if they want to avoid another frustrating result.

What do you think?

Should Silva have been taken off earlier?

Should Nuno have played a stronger team from the start?

Can Awoniyi build on this performance and lead the line effectively for Forest?

Let me know your thoughts!