Nottinghamshire

Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw at Real Betis may ultimately prove a positive result, given the Spaniards are among the favourites for this season's Europa League, but it means new boss Ange Postecoglou has failed to win any of his first four games in charge.

Frustratingly for the Australian, Forest have gone ahead in the past three of those matches but have been unable to hang on to their advantage.

That lack of resilience was a recurring problem during Postecoglou's reign at Tottenham. His Spurs side dropped 29 Premier League points from winning positions last term - more than any other side.

That tally rises to 49 points across his two seasons in north London. The only club with a worse record during that period were Brentford – then managed by Postecoglou's successor at Spurs, Thomas Frank.

To be fair to Postecoglou, Forest's weakness at protecting leads predates his arrival, with 44 points dropped in the past two campaigns despite a more counter-attacking style under Steve Cooper and Nuno Espirito Santo.

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Former Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw says Igor Jesus looks the "real deal" and could "replace Chris Wood" as the club's first-choice centre-forward.

Jesus scored two goals to give the Reds a 2-1 lead at Real Betis on Wednesday, to take his tally to four goals for his new club, but Ange Postecoglou's side conceded late on to draw their first European game in 30 years.

"Of course you're going to take any point in a first European game for 30 years - especially at Betis, which is a hard place to play," Earnshaw told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"Occasion-wise it was great. But, with the late equaliser you feel a little bit of disappointment when you head into the dressing room thinking: 'We were only five minutes away, why didn't we do this or that?'

"In the next couple of days it will feel like a point gained, for sure."

Jesus, 24, was making his own European debut but impressed throughout and was given a standing ovation by the travelling fans when he came off in the 64th minute.

"Bought for £10m from Botofogo - he's already scored four goals," Earnshaw added. "They've got a steal here.

"Chris Wood was incredible last season - a talisman and real key player. But, you just think his position right now is in trouble because Igor Jesus just looks every part the real deal. His movement, his finishing, he's always in the right areas.

"He could prove to be the steal of the whole transfer window. He looks excellent and is not fazed by the moment. Even in the games where he hasn't scored, he has almost scored and looked good.

"Every game he does something. We could be looking at someone who has full-time replaced Chris Wood in a few months' time."

Listen to the full chat on BBC Sounds from 1:18:00

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We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's first game back in Europe after 30 years.

Here are some of your comments:

Sean: The first European game in 30 years did not disappoint. We could have been over the hill and far away by half-time but for missing chances. Second half, we slowly faded away as Betis wore us down. A draw is fair. At £10m, Igor Jesus is looking like the signing of the season. A good start to our European adventure. Come on, you Reds!

Patch: Amazing first-half performance - but dreadful substitutions. Whatever was said at half-time had the opposite effect. Seriously hope Nuno Espirito Santo's hard work isn't undone before Christmas.

Tim: The withdrawal of Douglas Luiz and change of shape at half-time was baffling, as was the decision to rotate Callum Hudson-Odoi and Igor Jesus - two of our best players on the night. Ange Postecoglou will need to rotate to keep the squad fresh but, right now, the team needs to settle. This was a game we should have won comfortably.

Ted: Superb first-half performance but faded in the second half. Some sloppy passing could have cost us but a draw will do for starters.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

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Like everything, context is key for Nottingham Forest.

Ange Postecoglou is right when he says the wins will come, and they could - and perhaps should - have had one or two already.

The late collapse at Swansea City in the Carabao Cup was a huge disappointment, but other results carry their own reflections.

Forest lost 3-0 at Arsenal off the back of one full training session after Postecoglou's arrival and the September international break. The Burnley draw was hard fought and a point was a fair result against a tenacious home side who look better equipped to survive this season.

So then a 2-2 draw away at Betis in their first European game for almost three decades can only be viewed as positive.

This is a club that only avoided relegation from the Premier League on the final day of the season less than 18 months ago. They have come a long way in a short space of time - not without some bumps in the road - and progression is not linear.

Postecoglou has worked to quickly implement his style in the two weeks he has been at the club and results will come.

Forest host Sunderland in Postecoglou's first home game since taking charge on Saturday and as his philosophies take hold there will be greater expectation to for victories.

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Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White says it would be "wrong" for the team to go into the Europa League without having the goal to win it.

The Reds began their first European campaign in 30 years with a 2-2 draw at Real Betis on Wednesday.

In an entertaining game, Forest had a number of chances to take a big lead into half-time but could not take them and were ultimately pegged back late in the match.

"That's our goal - to go and win the competition," Gibbs-White said.

"It would be wrong for us to go into the competition with a different mindset. That's definitely our goal and our motivation.

"The fans were outstanding, so thank you to them for travelling such a long way.

"Coming back into Europe after 30 years is an incredible feeling, and to walk out there as captain, to play the game, was a real honour.

"I feel like we might look back at this game and realise it was a good point, but one that we know we could have got three points."

Still waiting for a first win under new boss Ange Postecoglou, Forest will be looking to put the disappointment of losing the lead against Betis behind them as they host Sunderland in the Premier League on Saturday.

"We should have had four or five goals in the first half," added Gibbs-White. "But this game is cruel and it's something we've got to get better as a team in managing the game out.

"We were great at that last season and we've got to try to add that into our game this season."

David Jackson
BBC Radio Nottingham sports editor in Seville

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Once the Real Betis fans had left the stadium on Wednesday night, all that was left was the 3500 Forest supporters, high up in one corner, left to reflect on an exciting, at times breathless return to the European stage.

That is until Ryan Yates and the rest of the substitutes ran out for a warm down. And what a reception they got. As the players applauded the travelling spectators, Yates set to orchestrating them in chants in a real symbol of togetherness and mutual appreciation.

Yates' appearance as a sub last night means he can add Europa League to his list of competitions he has played in, which includes National League (with Barrow), League Two (Notts County), League One (Scunthorpe), the Championship and the Premier League (with Forest).

His rise up the leagues is as impressive as Forest's in recent years.

It was a big test for Yates, and indeed for the players he now finds himself surrounded by (he is the only one left from the team which won promotion in 2022), but it is a test they passed.

Watching them carve open the Betis defence during a brilliant first half was a sign not just that Forest had arrived in Europe, but also that they have a chance of making a big statement in the tournament.

Fans have waited nearly 30 years and now they have just a week to wait for a home European test. And this time more than just a few thousand will be able to see it.

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Elliott Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham after Thursday's Europa League draw with Real Betis: "It is tough to take but there are loads of positives from the way we played. A point away from home is good and not many teams will come here and play like that.

"[The first half] was very good and really enjoyable to play in. We had a lot of control, we just need to start putting these chances away and killing the game off.

"We are building, we have come a long way and we have a long way to go."

On his role in the match: "I was a little bit more attacking - I had the licence to get into the box and join in. I enjoyed it."

Listen to more from Anderson on BBC Sounds

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Ange Postecoglou spoke to TNT Sports after Wednesday's Europa League draw at Real Betis: "First, I should be proud of the players' efforts. It's a difficult place to come, difficult conditions.

"People don't realise the humidity out there and how energy sapping it is, even the pitch, and I thought our football was outstanding at times in the first half. The thing I could fault is we didn't put the game to bed.

"In the second half we had to sit off a little bit and defend. I never really felt threatened by it and I don't think Sels had many saves to make.

"I'm just disappointed that the players and supporters don't get the rewards for our efforts. I've just got to make sure they keep their heads up because there's plenty to be positive about and the wins will come."

Did you know?

• Postecoglou became the first manager not to win any of his first four games in charge of Forest since Paul Williams in April 2016, and the first permanent manager to do so since Billy Walker in August 1946.

• Igor Jesus became the first player to score twice on his major European competition debut for Forest.

Listen to more from Postecoglou and get full reaction on the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

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This was a night Nottingham Forest fans had waited decades for, with around 5,000 in Spain for the 'I was there' moment.

Some of those present were in Munich and Madrid in 1979 and 1980 when Forest beat Malmo and Hamburg respectively to win back-to-back European Cups under Brian Clough.

Others in Seville were at Yeovil Town, Scunthorpe United and Hartlepool United for demoralising League One defeats in 2005-06.

On Wednesday, there was plenty for them to be proud about before Forest were frustrated by Antony's late equaliser.

Ange Postecoglou, of course, won this competition with Tottenham last season and the Forest boss looked to have got his tactics right on a night his players played with flair and an adventurous spirit in the first half.

But it was a different story after Douglas Luiz was replaced at the start of the second half after suffering a hamstring problem.

Forest's attacking statistics were impressive, with the visitors registering 16 attempts - six on target - to Betis' nine (four on target).

Unfortunately for Forest, they were unable to hang on for what would have been an eye-catching win.

Instead Postecoglou remains without a win after four games in charge, although this was Forest's most positive display since the Australian's appointment.

Postecoglou's first four Forest games have all been away from home but they return to the City Ground when Sunderland visit on Saturday (17:30 BST).

The question is: will Igor Jesus keep his place ahead of Chris Wood, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season?

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

What did you make of Forest's display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

There are some familiar names in the Real Betis starting XI, including former Manchester United forward Antony, ex-Red Devils loan signing Sofyan Amrabat and former Tottenham midfielder Giovani Lo Celso.

Real Betis XI: Lopez, Firpo, Gomez, Natan, Ortiz, Amrabat, Lo Celso, Altimira, Ezzalzouli, Bakambu, Antony

The big news from the Nottingham Forest dressing room is that Chris Wood, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season, drops to the bench. Brazilian forward Igor Jesus gets the nod up front.

There are three changes from the side that started the 1-1 draw at Burnley last weekend. Ibrahim Sangare and Callum Hudson-Odoi also return in place of Dan Ndoye and Dilane Bakwa.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Milenkovic, Morato, Zinchenko, Luiz, Anderson, Sangare, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Jesus

The countdown is well and truly on. It is just two hours until Nottingham Forest kick off their first European campaign in 30 years.

Plenty of fans have travelled the distance to Seville while others have opted to stay closer to home, but everyone will be hearing the Europa League anthem tonight.

BBC Radio Nottingham have got the build-up covered as always, so join David Jackson and Colin Fray for a special pre-match show live from Seville.

They will be counting down to kick-off, setting the Spanish scene, catching up with supporters and revealing the team news on a historic night for the Reds.

Listen live on BBC Sounds from 18:00 BST