Nottingham Forest

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We asked you to rate Nottingham Forest's start to the season and tell us what Oliver Glasner should be focusing on during this extended international break.

Here are some of your comments:

Sean: It's been a fairly mediocre start to the season. Could have and probably should have beaten Leeds but didn't, same with Tottenham, a creditable draw with Liverpool and a win against 10-man Aston Villa with most of their team now at Chelsea, then that embarrassment of a performance against Coventry City.

Mark: Highly disappointing season so far with a dash of positive surprises. Problem seems to be with the players, who apparently don't have the desire to get to the next level.

Andy: Nothing much to inspire me as of yet, but it's early days. We showed character in the Villa game, but then showed poor defending against Coventry. I think Glasner will get us to mid-table and bring out the best in Delap, Jesus and, hopefully, Ndoye. Don't think Woods will get a look-in.

Liam: Can occasionally see the system Glasner is trying to implement. When they get it right, it's good - but when it's wrong, it's not a pretty watch. Optimistic this will just take a few months, but a very average start.

Al: Having supported Forest all my life and it's difficult to get to upset or carried away by five games. However, Saturday was one of the most lacklustre performances I've witnessed - and I include us fans in that. The famous atmosphere is gone. Do we wait for the team to give us something to cheer about? Or do we get behind them regardless?

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Morgan Gibbs-White now has a "fantastic opportunity" to impress England boss Thomas Tuchel, having been called up late to the squad after other players pulled out, says BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray.

Speaking on the latest episode of the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Fray said: "This is the second time that he's been called up late and was left out of the original squad.

"Tuchel saying we've just got too many number 10s doesn't explain why he's picking X, Y and Z over Gibbs-White. Whatever the reason, he's obviously had to force his way in by whichever means possible.

"Now he's got this fabulous opportunity in an elongated break with four matches. You would think Tuchel will spread the workload around, especially at this stage of the season. I'm sure all the club managers are hoping that that's what happens."

Listen to the full episode of Shut Up And Show More Football, which also includes an interview with ex-Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi, below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.

Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Brighton are monitoring Lyon's 23-year-old midfielder Tyler Morton. (Teamtalk), external

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As we enter the season's first international break, we want to hear your thoughts on the opening five games in the Premier League.

It has been a mixed start to life under Oliver Glasner for Nottingham Forest, with one win, two draws and two losses from his first five matches in charge.

The optimism bought by the impressive win at Aston Villa has been somewhat dampened by Saturday's disappointing home defeat by promoted Coventry City.

Glasner plays a back three and it might be taking some time for Forest's players to get used to the system, so it might be that they become a more fluent side as the season progresses.

How do you rate Forest's start to the season and why? And what should Glasner be focusing on during the extended break?

Get in touch with your views here

Bayern Munich are interested in 26-year-old Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White. (Talksport), external

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Chelsea forward Cole Palmer, Manchester United duo Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Newcastle defender Tino Livramento have pulled out of England's squad for forthcoming Nations League matches.

Everton midfielder James Garner and Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White have been called up by manager Thomas Tuchel and will join the squad on Tuesday.

Tuchel said on Friday that 26-year-old Gibbs-White, who has six international caps, was close to being included in the initial squad.

Palmer had been recalled by Tuchel after being controversially left out of England's World Cup squad, but has withdrawn with a minor injury.

Mainoo and Rashford were assessed by their club after being taken off in the closing stages of Sunday's 1-1 draw at Fulham.

Rice, who played the full game for Arsenal in their 3-0 defeat by Brighton, will also be unavailable to Tuchel, along with Livramento, who has been limited to three substitute appearances for Newcastl this season.

Like Gibbs-White, Garner - who made both his two senior England appearances in March - comes in after not being selected for the 2026 World Cup.

Nottingham Forest fans will have to trawl back through their memories to April 2026 to recall their last victory on home turf.

Since beating Aston Villa 1-0 in the first leg of the Europa League semi-final, Forest have failed to register another win in six home games across two seasons and under two different managers.

Although Oliver Glasner left Crystal Palace with a spring in his step after lifting the Conference League trophy, the Austrian has endured a slow start to life with the Reds.

Former Forest midfielder Steve Hodge told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I understand the anger, frustration, and I get it. I have not been thrilled at home with what I have seen in terms of creating chances and exciting the crowd.

"The three home games this season, I can't count three or four chances in those games which were clear chances."

So far, only Coventry City (one) and Tottenham (two) have scored fewer goals than Glasner's side in the opening five league games of the season.

"Balls are put into the box, and Coventry headed every ball and they got every second ball. It was just the same again. It was a bit like watching the Spurs game and Leeds game again.

"I don't sit here and think it is going to come. They do struggle.

"Coventry sat in their 18-yard box, their back five with two in front of them, and any ball put in the box there was a blue and white shirt close to it. They defended magnificently."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds here

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Coventry City.

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Gary: It hasn't clicked at home for Forest yet but it will soon. Munoz doesn't look, at the moment, like the attacking threat that he was at Crystal Palace, so there's more to come there. Hudson-Odoi's return would be a welcome boost. Then the goals will come.

Andrew: Can Forest play all of their games away this season? And they want to increase the size of the stadium to 52,000. Most fortresses are made of stone or brick. This one is made of straw.

Graham: There will be plenty more of that to come. We are now in 12th, which is about as high as Glasner gets. The tactics are not working and there was no plan B. We were too slow out at the back and showed no fight. Subs were too late - we were losing, and he brought on a defender.

Martin: Lacklustre display by Forest. Too slow in the build-up, passing was way off it and devoid of any ideas going forward. More of this and we will be challenging Tottenham for the bottom spot.

Coventry fans

George: Just what we needed - grit, determination, a moment of quality, and a little luck! Feel-good factor will be back for the next three weeks while training fine-tunes some of the new-look tactics. Can't wait for Newcastle next.

AJ: So proud. Those players have embodied the Sky Blue never-say-die attitude and grabbed a win when everybody had written them off. We'll beat a few more this season that can't match Coventry's heart and desire.

Lee: Unbelievable! For Jay to get our first goal in the top flight since 2001 is incredible! A great display from all the defensive line and congratulations Mfuni for a great Premier League debut.

Stuart: Terrific belief and team effort, with what would not have been the starting XI had things gone differently the previous week. Confidence is key. Goal and a clean sheet is a good day's work.

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White is being targeted by Tottenham in a possible £125m January move for after nearly signing the midfielder during the 2025 summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external

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Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport journalist

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There will be plenty to ponder for Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner after this result.

Forest have failed to score in their first three home games in a league campaign for the first time in their history.

Their expected goals (xG) in this match was 1.15 compared with Coventry's 0.67, but in their first meeting in the Premier League since 1999 they were left to rue their wastefulness.

Forest's 24 shots today were their second most in a Premier League match since they returned to the top flight in 2022.

Similarly, only Pascal Gross (15) has created more chances in the league this season than Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White (14).

There was a clear lack of cutting edge, which meant much of this creativity was in vain.

Delap, a £45m signing from Chelsea, was supposed to provide some ruthlessness, but none of his four shots were on target and Coventry largely kept him quiet.

Last season Forest won just four of their 19 home games and were among the fourth-worst in terms of goals scored on home turf.

Glasner identified this as a clear area for improvement at the start of his tenure, but this result was a stark reminder that there is still work to do.

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC Match of the Day on his thoughts on the loss: "Frustrated, disappointed.

"We wanted three points and the players gave everything until the end but we made one big mistake, one big ball from the goalkeeper.

"We knew he had a very big strike and we got punished. We tried everything until the end but we have to blame ourselves. It's the third home game without a goal and that makes it difficult to win.

"We have to find a solution, today was the first time I could feel the heaviness of the past, it was very quiet in the dressing room. When we conceded the goal, everyone was nervous, the entire City Ground was nervous and I think this is the reason of last year.

"There is nobody to blame, the solution is to play with more freedom and more confidence."

On the VAR decision: "Of course I have thoughts but I don't want to speak about it again.

"We had this big discussion after Tottenham, referee decided and we accept it, that's it."

Listen to Glasner speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham here

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have failed to score in their first three home games in a league campaign for the first time in their history.

• Among ever present sides since the start of last season, only Tottenham have won fewer home games (three) and earned fewer home points (16) in the Premier League than Nottingham Forest (four wins, 21 points).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Coventry's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (12:30)

• Brighton v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Ipswich

• Newcastle v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Coventry (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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Coventry were served up a couple of shockers by getting Arsenal and Manchester City as their first two away fixtures, and this trip is far from easy for them either.

In fact, this is another stinker of a game for Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard, because they are still struggling while Oliver Glasner seems to be getting Nottingham Forest going after a slow burner of a start.

There is a strong chance Coventry's confidence has been sapped already so Lampard will be trying to rally the troops and give his players some belief they can compete at this level.

That is going to be really difficult because they must be looking at the results of the other promoted teams and not just thinking about where a win is coming from for them but also where a point is coming from and where a goal is coming from too.

I don't think they will get any of those things this week, because Forest are looking pretty solid.

Well done to Forest striker Liam Delap, who got his first goal for them in last week's win at Aston Villa.

He had a tough time at Chelsea, and I know what that is like, so it is great to see him off the mark for his new club.

By the way, Delap scored one league goal for Chelsea - same as me - but his price went up by £20m, from £30m to £50m. My value went down by almost 50% when I left Stamford Bridge - from £10m to £6m - so what has gone on there?

Seriously, though, sometimes you need a change of scene to find your form again and Delap must be feeling a bit freer now he has his first Forest goal.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Nottingham Forest earned their first win of the season last weekend and now face a bottom-of-the-table Coventry City side yet to score or avoid defeat since their return to the Premier League.

It's the first top-flight meeting between the clubs since a 4-0 home win for the Sky Blues in January 1999.

Forest must address home truths

Nottingham Forest answered Oliver Glasner's call to find the "final bit missing" when they deservedly beat Aston Villa last weekend. Head coach Glasner was referring to his team's goalscoring issues but it could just as easily apply to their troublesome home form.

So far this season at the City Ground, Forest have lost twice to Leeds United – including in the Carabao Cup – and drawn with Spurs. They failed to score in any of those games and seldom threatened to do so, registering a combined seven shots on target.

It's the continuation of an issue which dates back to last year; their only home league victory in 13 attempts since Christmas came against soon-to-be-relegated Burnley in April.

Only Tottenham have earned fewer points at home among Premier League ever-present sides during that time, while Forest are the lowest scorers in front of their own fans.

Hope remains for Coventry

The momentum of a Championship title-winning campaign has swiftly dissipated for Coventry, who are yet to earn a point since returning to the Premier League and made a midweek exit from the EFL Cup.

After 97 league goals last season, they have none after four top-flight games; Mustapha Hadji remains the last Coventry player to score a Premier League goal, on 5 May 2001.

This is the first time since their debut 1919-20 campaign that Coventry have lost their opening four league fixtures in a season, while they are only the fifth side in English top-flight history to do so without scoring. The Sky Blues are creating chances, though, and have an expected goals tally of 4.2.

Perhaps not enough of those opportunities are falling to the right players. Coventry have had 41 attempts on goal in the Premier League but only nine were by centre-forwards, rising to 23 – a modest 56% – when incorporating all attacking players. Surprisingly, six clubs have a lower percentage but only Coventry have a defender with his side's most goal attempts – Bobby Thomas, with nine.

Despite Coventry's current travails, history offers them hope: eight of the previous 18 teams to start a Premier League season with four straight defeats managed to stay up.

And Frank Lampard's side can take inspiration from the fact Crystal Palace lost their opening seven games without scoring in 2017-18 but rallied to finish 11th.

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"I'm still scratching my head about why he isn't in that squad regularly at the moment," said BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray after finding out that Morgan Gibbs-White had once again missed out on a place in the England squad.

Thomas Tuchel said the Nottingham Forest player was not included in his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures because "it does not make sense" to pick any more number 10s.

But Gibbs-White, who scored 15 goals and registered four assists last season, has accumulated more goal involvements than any other English midfielder this calendar year.

He has also already netted one goal and contributed two assists in Nottingham Forest's opening four games of the 2026-27 campaign.

On how close the 26-year-old was to being selected, Tuchel said: "It was close, but it is always the case. It makes no sense to nominate four or five number 10s. It just doesn't help anyone.

"We can see the form he is in. He ended last season very strongly, he was a key player in Nottingham Forest avoiding relegation, and we can see him stepping up now.

"It is one thing to be nominated, like Cole Palmer getting his ticket back into the squad, but it is another thing to perform for England - and that also counts."

Speaking on the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Fray said: "He can't do much more to get into the England squad, but was I entirely surprised by the decision? No, not really.

"Tuchel knew the form he was in at the end of last season and he still didn't take him to the World Cup.

"His numbers for 2026 are unparalleled by an English player. I also believe, as a midfielder, he is leading the way in terms of goals and assists this calendar year across Europe's top five leagues.

"He is doing everything he can, so I think it says a lot about their relationship.

"Tuchel said he didn't want to pick four or five number 10s, which I get, but who are the ones in the best form? Gibbs-White is indisputably at the top of every list right now, so you just cannot make that argument, in my opinion."

Listen to the full Gibbs-White conversation and catch up on the City Ground redevelopment plans below or listen on BBC Sounds

Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on the news that Nottingham Forest have been given the green light for a major expansion of the City Ground.

Here are some of your comments:

Sharon: This sounds a very positive thing that will bring Forest forward with them now still being in the Premier League. We hope that we can stay there from now on and keep performing better each season. It has been needing an upgrade for some time and it's nice to see it's going to happen. Can't wait to see what it's going to turn out like - bring on the future for Nottingham Forest!

Roger: After the old Main Stand is replaced, Forest should focus on rebuilding the present Bridgford Stand - now renamed in memory of John Robertson. It's a a very poor structure and offers very little in the way of facilities.

John: The council has put some significant barriers in place before work can commence - planning again inhibits getting work completed in this country.

Gary: Great news. It's great for the club and the city. Nottingham will become the Melbourne of the northern hemisphere and a hub of sport and sporting excellence.

Neil: A new pedestrian bridge? Is that an admission that the beautiful pedestrian bridge which opened in the summer that connects nothing to nothing was put in the wrong place? Whatever, get digging and let's get this stadium into the 21st Century.

Dan: The plans are great to see and it shows the owners ambition for growth and to be the best.

Ella Gibbs
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Coventry City at the City Ground (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nikola Milenkovic will miss the game, while fellow defender Jair Cunha trained on Thursday and "looks OK", though Glasner added that it was a "very light session".

• Glasner described planning approval for the development of the City Ground as "great news for the club, the city and the supporters".

• Asked if he expected to still be at the club when the works are complete, he said: "I never think about leaving. You don't start a relationship and think about when you can leave. It makes no sense. I'm always thinking mid- and long-term. If somebody asks me how I see things, I always try to look a little bit outside of football."

• On last weekend's win at Aston Villa: "It was good out of possession but it was maximum OK in possession and I would say below average in possession in the first half. Of course, when you win and when you show a good performance it helps in getting more and more belief, getting more and more confidence."

• On Morgan Gibbs-White and whether he should receive an England call-up having missed out on the World Cup squad: "I think he showed maximum effort, commitment and good performances. It's Thomas Tuchel's decision."

• Glasner said he spent some time with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis: "Sometimes you are emotional during a game, this is what I talked about to him, because he's also quite emotional. I don't talk to the players after the game. It makes no sense - because then maybe you regret it the following day."

• The Austrian said Saturday's opponents Coventry, who are yet to register a point or score a goal in the league, will pose "the same challenges we have faced and will face in every Premier League game". He added: "They are a good team with a fantastic manager. They played a great Championship season. They had quite a tough schedule at the beginning [of this season]."

• On the upcoming international break: "We decided to give the players the first week off. It's quite difficult to keep the motivation high when you know there is no competitive game in the mid-season. Then, in the second week, we will start having a normal training week with a friendly game on Saturday. Then, in the third week, hopefully all internationals will come back well without any injuries. Then we prepare for Crystal Palace."

Hit play above to hear more from Glasner, talking to BBC Radio Nottingham, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Coventry on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

All the key lines from Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Forest? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

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Nottingham Forest have been given the green light for a major expansion of the City Ground.

The club plans to increase the ground's capacity from 31,000 to 52,500 in two stages, which will come at an estimated cost of £790m.

The proposals were approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday.

Subject to a range of conditions, planning permission has been granted to demolish and replace the Peter Taylor Stand and redevelop the Trent End, while outline planning permission has been granted to redevelop the Brian Clough Stand.

In addition, the redevelopment will include a new public plaza and restaurant, as well as improved conferencing, media and back-of-house facilities.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has invested heavily in the playing squad in recent seasons, helping Forest rise from the Championship to the Premier League and into European competition, and now plans to redevelop the City Ground are progressing.

How do you feel about the stadium news? Is this a demonstration of Forest's ambition? Is there anything you would have prioritised over the stadium expansion?

Get in touch with your views

Listen to the clip below as the BBC's Hugh Casswell gives the latest on the expansion plans and explains the obstacles still to be overcome.