Nottingham Forest triumphed over Exeter in the FA Cup on penalties earlier this week, with Jota Silva being given a rare start. Forest won 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw over 120 minutes, but the Reds were a bit fortunate to come out on top.
Fans were frustrated with Silva’s performance, as things didn’t go his way throughout the match. He missed a golden opportunity to secure a win for Forest before extra time.
Silva, who joined Forest from Vitoria for £5.9 million last summer, has struggled to establish himself in the starting XI and is often used as a substitute. Despite his current form, Silva seems unfazed and intends to stay at Forest beyond this season.
The Portuguese forward has shown glimpses of potential, and given Forest’s success this season, it’s hard to be overly critical of him. He scored against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup and netted his first Premier League goal in the 7-0 victory over Brighton.
Silva appears eager to push forward at Forest and has even set his sights on next season, despite 14 games remaining in the current campaign. He told A Bola: “I really want to make history at Nottingham Forest. I want to play in the UEFA Champions League regularly, get called up to the national team, win the Premier League, and show that I’m ready to take on new challenges and make my family proud.”
However, despite his occasional flashes of promise, Silva’s performance against Exeter raised doubts. His tendency to go to ground easily in an attempt to win fouls has been frustrating for fans, who are calling for more consistency from him.
Silva seems determined not to let his Premier League opportunity slip away, and his comments suggest he’s committed to making his mark at Forest. If the club qualifies for Europe, a larger squad will be needed, although manager Nuno Espírito Santo favors a smaller group and prioritizes quality over quantity.
The final 14 games of the season could be crucial for Silva. If he doesn’t start delivering more consistently, he could find himself heading elsewhere next summer.
£5.9m Nottingham Forest star could be set for a rude awakening after big admission – opinion
