England: Morgan Gibbs-White praises ‘incredible’ Thomas Tuchel as Nottingham Forest midfielder is called up

Tuesday marked exactly 12 months since Nottingham Forest were deducted four points for a breach of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

That dropped them into the relegation zone, but they ultimately finished 17th, one place and six points above the bottom three.

Now they are just four points behind second-placed Arsenal and on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“When you put it like that, it’s a remarkable year,” said Gibbs-White. “Just to see where we have come from, from this time last year, is incredible.

“I think the Forest fans deserve that the most. Getting back into the Premier League was one thing.

“Scrambling in relegation for the two years we were in the Premier League obviously wasn’t nice. It wasn’t enjoyable, but now we have given the fans something to cheer about.”

Gibbs-White has been Forest’s captain for most of the season, claiming five league goals and seven assists, and feels he is in “the best form I have ever been in”.

“Coming here [with England] with that confidence, that level of football at the minute, I feel as though I am in a really good place,” he said.

“[I’m] really proud. Walking out at the City Ground every week, I do get goosebumps.”

To float the idea of Forest flying so high would have been hard to believe 12 months ago.

“I would have snapped your hand off. I’d have thought you were talking rubbish,” Gibbs-White said.

“Funny thing is, in pre-season we had that belief that we could do something this season. Did we think to this level? Probably not, but we felt that we could achieve something decent this season.

“With the pre-season we had under the manager [Nuno Espirito Santo], because he really implemented his ideas, and his man management and his belief into the players, he really got to know everyone individually and I think that is what has helped us massively.

“We work so hard, day in and day out, to achieve these sorts of goals and you know everyone is just in a good place at the minute.

“The morale is high and the vibe is very high.”