Speaking after Forest’s recent pre-season friendly against AS Monaco, Aina highlighted the importance of continuity, ambition, and maintaining high standards, as the team prepares for a second successive season in Europe following a seventh-place Premier League finish last term.
“Last pre-season was a massive part of the season that we had, so hopefully we can replicate that and go again,” Aina said, reflecting on the strong foundation laid during the 2024/25 build-up.
Currently with the squad at a warm-weather training camp in southern Portugal, the 28-year-old expressed confidence in the team’s direction under head coach Nuno Espírito Santo.
“We’ve put ourselves in a good position for this season, and it should be exciting. Hopefully we can keep growing as a club because we did fantastically well last season.”
No Room for Complacency
Aina, who has cemented his role at right-back and become a key figure under Nuno, stressed that the squad remains focused and determined to avoid complacency.
“We just want to keep going in the right direction now—we don’t want to go backwards.
We’re working really hard and hopefully we can build on what we achieved last season.”
With Forest’s European qualification marking a major milestone, Aina believes that the club now has a new benchmark to aspire to.
“It’s good that we’re setting the bar higher and we have a standard now. That’s how you keep growing as a team and a club.
That’s the level we need to aspire to be consistently now—and hopefully we can go past that.”
A New Era for Forest
Last season’s campaign under Nuno Espírito Santo saw Forest defy expectations, stabilising in the Premier League and earning a place in European competition for the first time in over two decades. Aina’s comments echo a broader sense of ambition within the camp as they look to establish themselves among England’s elite.
With pre-season preparations intensifying and the Premier League season set to kick off in August, Aina’s rallying call sets the tone for what could be another landmark campaign at the City Ground.
Kayode Adeyeni Olagunju is the Founder and Chairman of iReport247News, a digital media platform dedicated to investigative journalism, governance, and community development. With a passion for truth, accountability, and impactful storytelling, he covers politics, public affairs, and societal issues across Nigeria and the diaspora. He is committed to amplifying voices, promoting transparency, and driving meaningful conversations.
