Nottingham Forest midfielder Emily Batty believes the club are heading into the new season with renewed energy, a stronger sense of togetherness and a clear ambition to secure promotion.
With the new campaign now just weeks away, Forest’s pre-season has been about more than simply preparing on the pitch. Alongside intense training and competitive fixtures, the squad have taken opportunities to strengthen their relationships away from football, including the club’s first-ever tour to Canada.
“It’s been a really exciting experience,” Batty said. “We’ve had games, a lot of training, but also spent more time together as a group. That bonding on and off the pitch will be massive for us this season.”
The squad travelled to Kamloops, where time away from the demands of football provided an opportunity to build stronger relationships within the group. From exploring the area on scooters to competing in pickleball, the players embraced the experience both on and off the pitch.
“We explored on scooters, spent time in the park, and even played pickleball,” Batty added. “It was really fun and competitive. Those moments help you understand how people tick, which is so important in a team environment.”
For Batty, developing that connection has been central to Forest’s preparations. With new faces settling into the squad, she believes creating an environment where players feel comfortable and supported can directly impact performance.
“If players feel settled, they can play freely, and that’s when you get the best out of them,” she explained. “The culture we’ve been working on will play a huge part in how we perform.”
That culture is also being shaped by new head coach Tom, whose arrival has brought fresh ideas alongside an existing understanding of the club.
“He’s brought really good energy,” Batty said. “He’s been around the club for about 20 years, so he understands what it means to wear the shirt. That’s massive. It’s been refreshing to learn from him and develop under his guidance.”
Forest’s work on the training pitch has followed a structured approach, with each stage of the week designed to develop individuals while strengthening the team as a whole.
Technical work and individual development form the focus early in the week before sessions become increasingly tactical, with the squad working on organisation and shape. As matchday approaches, the emphasis shifts towards intensity, preparation and mindset.
“Matchday minus one is all about good vibes, energy, and making sure we’re ready to start strong,” Batty said. “We also do a lot of analysis so everyone understands their role and responsibilities.”
For Batty, however, success will not be defined solely by individual performances or the result of any one weekend. Instead, she believes maintaining high standards consistently throughout the campaign will be crucial.
“It’s about doing the basics well and not putting too much pressure on yourself week to week,” she said. “If you focus on setting your standards and contributing to the team, that will show over the course of the season.”
Forest’s ambitions come at a time when the women’s game continues to develop, with Batty encouraged by the narrowing gap between the Championship and Women’s Super League.
“It’s exciting to see how much the game is developing,” she said. “More clubs are playing in main stadiums, and games being available on platforms like YouTube makes it more accessible for fans. That’s huge for the growth of women’s football.”
While Forest have made their ambitions clear, Batty is under no illusions about the challenge ahead. Promotion is the target, but achieving it will require consistency, hard work and a collective commitment from the entire squad.
“The aim is promotion, and that’s what we’re working towards,” she said. “But it’s not a given. It takes hard work, and it takes everyone buying into the same goal. Individuals don’t win leagues; teams do.”
As opening day approaches, there is a growing sense of belief around Forest. For Batty, the combination of a united squad, improved infrastructure and a new direction under Tom provides the foundations for a campaign in which Forest will look to turn their ambition into promotion success.
“If we stay strong as a collective and keep doing the right things,” she said. “We’ll give ourselves the best chance of achieving that goal by May.”
