Nottinghamshire

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson delivered an eye-catching display in his second senior start for England in the victory over Serbia.

The 22-year-old was at the heart of the action, recording 93 touches and completing 75 passes, both marks second only to Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa.

He also showcased his tenacity, winning back possession eight times (the most), coming out on top in seven duels, and hitting five accurate long balls.

The performance should come as no surprise. Anderson has quickly established himself as a key figure at the City Ground since his arrival, and this England showing suggests he could now be ready to do the same on the international stage.

* Stats correct as per Opta and Squawka

Former Nottingham Forest forward Robert Earnshaw believes the Premier League is better with Ange Postecoglou back in the dugout. Speaking after the Australian's unveiling as Forest's new manager, Earnshaw praised his personality, presence and style of play.

Postecoglou was confirmed as Forest boss earlier this week and faced the media for the first time at his press conference on Thursday. Having previously won admirers for his attacking style and open approach at Celtic and Tottenham, he is now tasked with leading Forest into a new era in the top flight.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

New Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou revealed he knew he was going to be sacked by Tottenham before winning the Europa League.

The 60-year-old guided Spurs to their first trophy in 17-years after beating Manchester United in Bilbao in May.

But 16 days later he was axed having finished 17th in the Premier League - 27 points adrift of Forest last season.

He replaced the sacked Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground on Tuesday to return to management.

"It wasn't great. I knew it was coming so it wasn't a surprise," he said at his Forest unveiling.

"It was a great three days [winning the Europa League] and I didn't want it to damage that. Whether I feel it was unjust other people make those decisions, they make those determinations. That's up to them, they have their own reasoning for it.

"To be fair, I've done it a couple of times myself. I left Celtic and I'm sure they were disappointed. You understand that's part of the business we're in. But that's OK. It's allowed me now to move into this and maybe things happen for a reason.

"What I do know is I had two years where it was very, very challenging but we were with some fantastic people. There isn't a Spurs supporter that I don't come across now that doesn't want to hug me and take me home for dinner.

"So I must have done something right. I think ultimately that's what we do it for. I'm very proud of what we achieved there. It will always take a special place in my heart. How it ended, I don't really think about it a lot."

Besiktas are closing in on a deal to sign Portugal winger Jota Silva, 26, from Nottingham Forest. (Fabrizio Romano), external

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Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

"It's OK, sit down," Ange Postecoglou joked to the media as he was introduced at the City Ground.

It started a 50-minute press conference where the new Nottingham Forest manager laced his answers with some jokes and character, but also underlined his determination to win at his new club.

He talked about how his 60th birthday celebrations were interrupted by negotiations over the weekend - how he and his friends had planned a Hangover-style party only to be in bed by 10pm as they realised their age.

But underneath everything there was the seriousness of winning and succeeding at Forest, bringing joy to the fans and how he will always stick to his principles.

Postecoglou also spoke about how he knew the sack was coming at Tottenham - before he won the Europa League - as he reflected on his previous job.

His time out was spent with his family, and he kidded that kidding owner Evangelos Marinakis caught him at the right time as there was no greater motivation to get back to work than the school run. It is clear the break has done him good.

At the end of his time at Spurs he was on the defensive, even as they reached the Europa League final. This appeared to be a refreshed Postecoglou, ready for a new challenge.

Watch back as Ange Postecoglou speaks to the media for the first time as Nottingham Forest boss.

Then join the BBC's Will Perry as he speaks with former Forest striker Robert Earnshaw, our senior reporter Nick Mashiter and Reds fan Ellie Molloson to hear their thoughts on Ange Postecoglou's first news conference as manager.

Tap play below to watch.

Nottingham Forest boss Ange Postecoglou has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He said it was "great to be back in the Premier League and in charge of a club with a storied history".

• On replacing Nuno Espirito Santo: "It's the nature of football. You certainly don't know when these things will come to an end. I certainly didn't think I would finish up after winning a trophy [at Tottenham]."

• He said Forest "have had two excellent managers who have done fantastic work", and praised the achievements of predecessors Nuno and Steve Cooper.

• Postecoglou said he has "been in the company" of Forest's owner Evangelos Marinakis "three or four times," and added: "From afar, you have to admire his ambition."

• The new boss "really likes the squad" as it has "got great balance". He feels that it is "ready and robust enough to compete."

• On changing the team's playing style: "It's familiar territory for me. It will be a gradual process. Nuno was transitioning into something different, but we're all different. It's just a matter of making it as smooth as possible."

• He said winning trophies "is what I've done my whole career and that's what I'll do here" at Forest: "Every club wants to be successful but from what I've seen over the past few years, those ambitions are backed up with actions."

• He said he had "a good look" around the City Ground today given his first four fixtures are all away from home in the Premier League, Carabao Cup and Europa League.

• On starting his tenure against Arsenal: "It is what it is. Every Premier League fixture is challenging. It's a great game. Mikel Arteta has got them off to a good start and they have strengthened over the summer."

• On winning over any fans who have doubts about his appointment: "It won't happen overnight. They won't love me from the first day - it's something I have to earn. In the longer term, I have to earn respect and trust. If we can tap into that then we can create something really special."

• He added: "I don't see it as a point to prove. I don't have to prove anything to anyone. You let your actions speak for themselves and you understand the responsibility you have. You have to provide joy to the supporters - that's why football clubs exist. They are the lifeblood of this game. That's all I care about. I'll win things here and people will still have doubts about me."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Martin O'Neil says he was "still in the building" when Nottingham Forest announced his successor as manager "24 minutes" after his sacking in 2019.

However, he describes owner Evangelos Marinakis as "reasonably cordial".

O'Neil was Forest manager for six months from January 2019 and guided the club to a ninth-place Championship finish but was dismissed at the end of that season and replaced by Sabri Lamouchi.

"I didn't have many one-to-ones with Mr Marinakis during that time," the former Reds midfielder told Adrian Chiles on BBC Radio 5 Live. "Three or four in London and one in Athens.

"He seemed reasonably cordial but I should know that the record of managers in and out of the door is not fantastic so I shouldn't have been surprised.

"I just have a laugh about it. When I got my marching orders that particular day, I was able to tell my coaching staff that they were no longer required either. But, I was still actually in the building at the time - 24 minutes after the sack - when they announced the new manager Mr Lamouchi. So nothing really surprises me at the end of the day.

"In fairness to Mr Marinakis, he has put some money into the football club and without that money Nottingham Forest would probably still be languishing in the Championship."

Listen to the Adrian Chiles show on BBC Sounds

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A former head of sports science at Celtic says Ange Postecoglou will "waste no time" imposing his style at new club Nottingham Forest.

Anton McElhone worked under Postecoglou at the Scottish Premiership club between 2021 and 2023 - winning five trophies across their two seasons together.

"Ange will want to set up the way he wants to play at the club really quickly," McElhone told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"He'll be really clear how he leads and manages the staff and players.

"He'll be really direct in how he wants to go about training and approaching matches from the first minute he gets there. He will waste no time getting to the point.

"If you look at the 4-3-2-1 system Forest have used - he's played similar at Tottenham and Celtic. That will be an easy transition.

"The biggest challenge will be the personnel he has at the club and the small tactical tweaks he makes. He's shown he can make those tweaks so I think it is something he can do quite easily.

"But, it will be a big challenge as he has not had a transfer window to bring in the players he wants so he will have to adapt more.

"The Premier League knows what 'Ange-ball' is all about so it will be interesting to see what version we get at Forest -exciting to see if he can continue to play that high-pressing, high-energy football with some tweaks because you're going from one extreme to to another.

"The Forest players will have done a good pre-season but the running demands placed will be very different to [those under] Nuno. They have robust, young players so I think it will definitely be successful, but it will take time to adapt to."

Listen to the full discussion from 32'52 on BBC Sounds

Manchester United are eyeing a January move for Nottingham Forest and England midfielder Elliot Anderson, 22. (Teamtalk), external

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