Nottingham

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic says it's better to be a defender in the Premier League than in Serie A.

Milenkovic spent seven seasons in the Italian top flight with Fiorentina before moving to the City Ground in July.

“You change country, culture, language and everything but everybody at Fiorentina helped me to adapt as fast as possible," Milenkovic told BBC East Midlands about leaving his native Serbia to move to Italy.

“Serie A in Italy is famous for tactics and the Premier League is faster and more intense. There are less fouls than in Italy and this makes the game more fast and more transitional.

"For a defender, it is better in the Premier League. It is the best league in the world and the intensity is very high. There is more physical work and it is tough to play but you enjoy the football and you see the passion from the people and the fans."

On moving to Forest, Milenkovic added: “Everybody helps me a lot, the group is great. The club is like a family and the fans have a big passion.

“Playing these type of matches [Saturday's trip to Liverpool] will be a great experience. It will be a very tough game but we will play in the best way possible.”

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nuno Espirito Santo may have missed out on another frontline striker but he could still have the perfect man up front.

The arrival of James Ward-Prowse - who has one of the best deliveries in the division - will be able to give Chris Wood the perfect service.

Wood's 14 goals last season came from just 20 starts in the league and he has already opened his account in the 1-1 draw with Wolves.

The additions of Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva should provide further threat and ammunition and Wood could flourish before Forest have the chance to add new faces in January.

Failed moves for Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez and Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal could actually prove perfect for Wood, allowing him to continue as the main man.

On Thursday lunchtime, Nuno faces the media ahead of the weekend trip to Liverpool for his first pre-match press conference since the end of the transfer window.

It will be an opportunity to dissect the end of the window, rather than the snatched chance following the 1-1 draw with Wolves almost two weeks ago.

Morgan Gibbs-White's England debut will be up for discussion while Ward-Prowse could be handed his debut after his deadline-day loan from West Ham.

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest defender Nikola Milenkovic says football was an "escape" for him as a child during the conflict happening around him.

The defender, who signed for the Reds in July, came through the youth ranks at Partizan Belgrade, the city that he was born in.

“It was special growing up in Belgrade," Milenkovic told BBC East Midlands. "There was a war and it was difficult for our parents but these things made us strong. Belgrade is a beautiful city and every time I come home I enjoy it.

"It made us stronger and so many people have a strong character. From tough times come good people with good character.

"As little kids, football was an escape and they forgot about everything. It was really good for the kids in this moment."

Last week, Milenkovic captained Serbia on his 58th cap in their Nations League game against Spain.

"It is a big honour of course to represent your country and your people and it’s one of the proudest moments of my career," he said.

"I’m thankful for the opportunity and I hope we will make our country happy."

Five points from the opening three games has been a decent start for Nottingham Forest albeit with trips to high-flying Liverpool and Brighton to come in the next two weeks.

But what have you spotted about the Reds so far this season? What is the one thing - good or bad - that nobody is talking about?

Let us know your thoughts, external - and we'll feature your replies on Thursday