jair cunha is back in the spotlight after Nottingham Forest’s 4-1 win over Burnley on Sunday, a result that moved the club five points clear of Tottenham in the Premier League survival battle. The Brazilian defender was thrust into action in the first half after Murillo went off with a hamstring problem at the City Ground. Former Forest favourite Franz Carr says Sean Dyche did not use jair cunha enough earlier this season.
Forest’s latest win sharpens the focus on jair cunha
Nottingham Forest’s victory was built on a second-half surge, with Morgan Gibbs-White scoring a hat-trick and Igor Jesus adding a fourth in stoppage time. But the defensive story was also important, because jair cunha stepped in when Forest needed cover at centre-back and handled the pressure with composure.
His display mattered because Forest are still fighting to secure Premier League survival, and every reliable defensive option counts. With five matches left, Vitor Pereira’s side have given themselves a stronger cushion, and jair cunha’s showing offered another reminder that Forest may have a useful replacement if Murillo is unavailable.
Franz Carr questions Sean Dyche’s judgment
Carr said on the Forest Focus podcast that jair cunha is “a good player” and added that he has been “really impressive” since joining the club. He also said the defender was “not favoured by Sean Dyche” and noted that he “just never seems to get games, ” despite the progress he believes has been visible.
That view has gained weight after the Burnley match, where jair cunha was asked to step in and delivered a performance Forest could lean on. Carr’s central point was simple: Dyche may have missed a player who now looks increasingly dependable in a demanding run-in.
Why the Brazilian defender is drawing more attention
Forest have had to manage changes in the back line, and Murillo’s injury forced a quick adjustment. In that moment, jair cunha became the natural choice, and the club’s current manager appears to trust him more than Dyche did earlier in the campaign.
The context matters because Forest have been building momentum since the managerial change in February and are now unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions. That run has given more players a platform, and jair cunha is one of the clearest examples of someone benefiting from that shift.
What the immediate numbers say
The performance data from the match backed up what Carr saw. jair cunha won two aerial challenges, made five clearances and finished with a 6. 83 rating after a composed spell at centre-back.
That does not settle every question around Forest’s defensive plans, but it does explain why the Brazilian is being discussed more often. For a club still navigating the pressure of the survival race, jair cunha’s rise is a timely development.
What comes next for Forest
Forest now turn toward the next phase of their run-in with more confidence and, possibly, more clarity on their centre-back options. If Murillo is not risked, jair cunha looks well placed to keep his place and continue building trust. For Forest, that could be one of the quieter but most important stories of the closing stretch.
