Steve Stone was one of the assistant managers at Nottingham Forest when Sean Dyche was the head coach of the City Ground outfit, and he was back on Trentside yesterday.

Forest thrashed Manchester City with a ruthless 3-1 win that saw Liam Delap praised following two stunning goals that sent the City Ground into raptures.

Steve Stone lauds Jair Cunha during Forest win

Cunha was barely used during Dyche’s tenure, with the former boss preferring Premier League experience and tried-and-tested players.

With Cunha now a Brazil international, his decision looks somewhat foolish, and Stone couldn’t help but express his admiration for the defender during the victory.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “We talked about Forest not letting Man City have the ball.

“Jair Cunha has just stepped in there and put some pressure on Josko Gvardiol and he’s gone through and showed great composure.

“A terrific finish, the players and fans are up for it, Oliver Glasner’s comments last week have made them up for it.”

Forest have thankfully moved on from the Dyche debacle and ultimately, Stone and Ian Woan will remain worshipped by Forest fans for what they achieved as players at the club.

The fact they barely gave Cunha a kick, however, speaks volumes of how Dyche’s stock is seen as a Premier League manager in 2026, and it’s perhaps no surprise he’s not back in management yet.

Cunha is going from strength to strength as a central defender in Oliver Glasner’s system, and there is more to come from the player who is excelling under the influence of a manager who has given him the confidence to express himself.