Nottinghamshire

Phil McNulty
Chief football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson is another beneficiary of Thomas Tuchel's willingness to look outside the usual inner circle of England stars, producing a third successive top-class display in Thursday's 3-0 friendly win over Wales.

He is used to being at the heart of the action for Forest where, according to Opta, he has completed the most passes in the opposition half (244) and won possession most (47) in the Premier League this season.

Against Wales, Anderson's constant demands for the ball and his ability to keep England ticking over were hallmarks of his quality. He played 77 passes, 74 successfully, created two chances and regained possession six times.

Tuchel added: "Morgan [Rogers] and Elliot are humble players and very talented and that is a very good mix."

The German can now move forward from a position of strength, even stronger than after the win in Serbia, to the World Cup qualifier in Latvia on Tuesday.

And it will deliver a sharp reminder to Jude Bellingham and others that Tuchel is determined to tread his own path towards next summer's World Cup - with or without the Real Madrid midfielder.

Image source, PA Media

BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray does not expect Ange Postecoglou to deviate too far from his core football principles as he searches for his first win in charge of Nottingham Forest.

Forest have drawn twice and lost their other five matches since the former Tottenham boss succeeded Nuno Espirito Santo at the City Ground in September.

Speaking on Match of the Day on Sunday, former England goalkeeper Joe Hart spoke of Postecoglou "doubling down" on his philosophy after a difficult start to his reign at Celtic before achieving title success with the Scottish Premiership club.

On the latest episode of Shut Up And Show More Football, Fray said: "It's a good insight from somebody who has been in the dressing room with Postecoglou. It's informed and insightful comment.

"And based on what he [Postecoglou] has said since he's been at Forest, it's unlikely you're going to see much change. We have seen change from him slightly; he's gone to a back three, he's done stuff that you perhaps might not expect, and along the way there have been some positives.

"But he knows more than anybody else that he needs to get a win.

"I don't think he'll change. To use Joe Hart's words, he'll double down and say 'this is the way, this is what we do', and he will hope that results come along."

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Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo is one of the names at the top of Chelsea's list of targets as they look to strengthen defensively. (Football Insider, external)

Manchester United are interested in Elliot Anderson for a summer midfield rebuild (Sky Sports, external)

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The latest episode of Shut Up And Show More Football is available now - BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss the latest from the City Ground.

They reflect on Forest's two defeats since the most recent podcast and what those results have meant for Ange Postecoglou, who is still awaiting his first win since taking charge.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

There is a lot of noise around Nottingham Forest at the moment, for obvious reasons, which means the progress of numerous summer signings has been somewhat overlooked.

The 13 transfer window signings arrived with great fanfare but many have yet to really make their mark, with the incumbent squad amassing greater game time as they are eased into the season.

Igor Jesus made an impact with a double against both Swansea City and Real Betis, and another call-up to the Brazil squad confirms his presence.

On Sunday, his compatriot Jair Cunha made an assured first-team start against Newcastle United. The result obviously did not go our way, but it was one of the few positives.

Injuries to full-backs Ola Aina and Oleksandr Zinchenko have given an opportunity to Nicolo Savona, and while he has shown glimpses of potential, time is needed to develop understanding there, as well as whether he is better suited to playing as part of a back three.

Loanee Douglas Luiz has impressed in the little time we have seen before injury, while the big money signings Omar Hutchinson, Dilane Bakwa, James McAtee and Arnaud Kalimuendo will presumably feature more prominently in the weeks to come.

Dan Ndoye, who arrived in time for pre-season training, has gained more game time, but that extra time is often key. It is easy to judge players from their YouTube highlights. It is even easier to judge them before they have settled into a new club in a new country.

Some obviously take no time in fitting in - Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Elliot Anderson - but that pre-season time can be all-important. Others take time to adapt, even if they have Premier League experience.

With the club as it is at the moment, it is hardly an ideal time to be settling into an unsettled environment. But a few weeks ago, we were concerned about the lack of cover at centre-back; Cunha offers some reassurance there.

Time is something all new signings need – and it is something the international break offers.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external