Ryan Yates

Yates earned the captaincy through years of playing whichever role Forest needed rather than settling into one specialist position. He has filled in at centre back just as readily as central midfield when injuries or suspensions demanded it. He came up through loan spells at some of the lower reaches of English football, and the honesty from that period still defines how he plays now.

That reputation for leadership sits somewhat awkwardly alongside a Forest midfield that has grown considerably more talented and expensive around him. It raises a genuine question among supporters. Whether a captain valued mainly for character and versatility keeps his place ahead of more gifted specialist signings is exactly the debate that follows a homegrown player once a club starts spending seriously. Supporters who grew up watching him progress through the academy tend to defend that reputation fiercely whenever it gets questioned.