Nottingham Forest have let a host of players leave since returning to the Premier League in 2022, with the pathway somewhat restricted between the academy and the first team.

It’s harder than ever for young players to make the grade on Trentside in the Premier League, with the standard needing to be of a different level compared to when the team was in the EFL.

Last season, a host of youngsters got a taste of being around the first-team in the Europa League. Players like Archie Whitehall and Jack Thompson were often included in matchday squads to make the numbers up.

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Now, one player who failed to really make the step up at the City Ground despite a lot of promise is back among the goals after a barren spell.

Dale Taylor scores for Blackpool

Taylor left Forest to sign for Blackpool in August 2025 for a fee of around £1 million. Many of a Forest persuasion felt that price was low given the vast potential which the striker had.

However, things had not really worked out for Taylor at Forest. He’d made an appearance for the first team during the promotion-winning season and did help the young Reds reach the final of the FA Youth Cup.

Loan spells with Burton Albion and Wigan proved quite successful, and as a result, it was quickly anticipated that he’d be more of an asset further down the pyramid than he would be at Forest.

On Tuesday night, Taylor bagged his first goal since April as the Tangerines claimed a 2-0 win over MK Dons on home soil.

Taylor hasn’t always been considered a first-team regular with the League One outfit and he will be hoping that this goal goes a long way towards landing him some starts in the coming weeks.

Given that Taylor has hardly taken League One by storm, it doesn’t feel as though this move is one that Forest will live to regret too much.

However, Taylor will always be remembered as another Northern Irish prospect who came over with bags of potential and as a result, the Reds faithful always look with intrigue to see how his career is progressing.