Nottingham Forest

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Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has pushed back against the narrative surrounding the club's promotion to the Europa League, insisting the criticism is misplaced.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham, Nuno expressed his sympathy for Crystal Palace's fans, players and coaching staff, but was clear that Forest should not be portrayed as the villains in the situation.

Following a Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling, Forest were promoted to the Europa League for this season, while Palace were relegated to the Conference League.

"I am aware and I have been looking at that and the narrative that has been built is not the truth - we are not to blame," said Nuno. "We did a very good season that allowed us and opened the door to Europe for us, no matter which competition it is we deservedly are there because we did it on the pitch and we achieved it but after that. It is not us to be blamed.

"We are very sympathetic for the fans of Palace, extreme sympathy for their players and for their coaching staff, especially Oliver Glasner. But please, don't put Forest as the bad guys because we are not."

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David Jackson and Colin Fray return with a new episode, diving into three major talking points for Nottingham Forest supporters.

Chris Wood and Matz Sels were named in the PFA Team of the Year. There's also an in-depth look at the club's latest signings and what qualities they bring, and where they will fit in Nuno Espirito Santos' plans.

Finally, they tackle the growing tension between Forest and Crystal Palace fans after the former was promoted to the Europa League.

Shut Up And Show More Football

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Nottingham Forest are in talks to sign Sevilla's 23-year-old Spanish right-back Jose Angel Carmona. (Sky Sports), external

Forest are also exploring the possibility of reuniting with 28-year-old Poland and Aston Villa defender Matty Cash. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, is set to join Nottingham Forest from Juventus after Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis brokered a deal with the Turin club's general manager Damien Comolli. (Tuttosport - in Italian, external)

Meanwhile Forest have joined Everton in the hunt for Norwich right-back Kellen Fisher, 21. (Pete O'Rourke, external)

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Ellie Molloson
Fan writer

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Last season, Chris Wood had the best campaign of his career, scoring 20 goals and providing two assists in the Premier League.

Only Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland, and Mohamed Salah scored more.

In fact, by May 15, 2025, Wood was officially the most clinical striker in Europe's top five leagues with a conversion rate of 31.7%.

​At 33, many fans had written him off as a one-season wonder. But within just five minutes of the opening Premier League game, Wood reminded us why he's one of Europe's best strikers, jabbing the ball into the net with an unwavering sense of calm.

He wasn't done yet - he scored again at 45+3 minutes. Anderson won possession and Wood knew exactly what to do. Wood made a well-timed run and a brilliant ball by Anderson put Wood one-on-one with Kelleher, and nonchalantly slotted it home.

It was a perfect half for Forest and an even more perfect performance from Wood: two shots, two goals.

​The New Zealand international has become emblematic of Forest's unexpected success - a traditional striker thriving in a world of "total football".

Under Nuno Espirito Santo, every player knows their role and every player knows they can rely on Wood to find the back of the net.

So, do we have a world-class player on our hands?

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We asked for your views on Nottingham Forest's recent additions to the squad, especially striker Arnaud Kalimuendo and the transfer window as a whole.

Here are some of your comments:

Dave: Brilliant signings which not only shows Forests ambition but underlines their intent to fill the squad with the best young talent around.

Tom: This is a great signing to round off the past couple of days. Obviously, still have faith in Chris Wood, but this could be a great person to have alongside him. These last three signings feel very much like good investments for the future, which makes me happier than ever to call myself a Forest fan.

Gary: Good squad now. Awoniyi and Dennis to move on and will balance transfers in and out this summer.

Trevor: If the last three signings slot well into the Forest team I watched yesterday, I think we are looking at a very bright future.

David: A great talent and a massive coup for the club. The vision and passion being shown by the board just shows how important Forest will be in Europe and the Premier League - we are not a one-season wonder.

Brazil midfielder Douglas Luiz, 27, has agreed personal terms with Nottingham Forest but is waiting on them to finalise a deal with Juventus. (Corriere dello Sport - in Italian, external)

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Dan Ndoye spoke to BBC Radio Nottignham after scoring on his Premier League debut against Brentford: "Its' amazing to start like that, it was a really nice experience. I can't wait to continue to work like that.

"You really feel the atmposphere of the fans, they pushed us all game and it makes a difference for sure.

"Every game I play, I feel better. I'm really happy with how we played."

Fellow goalscorer Chris Wood added: "Dan has shown the glimpses of why we brought him in pre-season and it all came together there. It was a fantastic header after an unbelievable pass from Morgan [Gibbs-White].

"It's a great start, we did exactly what we wanted to do to a tee in the first half.

"The crowd didn't get nervy [after conceding] so it means we don't get nervy on the pitch. It's fantastic that we are all positive and going in the right direction."

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Noel Sliney
BBC Sport journalist

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Nottingham Forest's new signing Arnaud Kalimuendo finished as the third top scorer in Ligue 1 last season with 17 goals – all from inside the penalty area and including five spot-kicks.

Only Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele and Mason Greenwood of Marseille scored more, though Kalimuendo's shot conversion rate of 22% was better than both of them.

He scored 13 of his 18 big chances, equating to 72% - a figure only bettered by one regular scorer in France's top flight last season. Kalimuendo, though not tall, has the strength and skill to turn defenders and he ranks highly for winning possession in the final third too.

The 23-year-old started his career at PSG but only made one league start for the club.

He scored 19 goals in 60 league games on loan at Lens and has improved his goal output each season with Rennes, who he joined in 2022. He scored 40 goals in 113 appearances for the club in all competitions, as well as 11 goals in 33 caps for France Under-21s.

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Striker Arnaud Kalimuendo says he is "honoured" and "impatient to get started" after completing a move to Nottingham Forest from Rennes.

The 23-year-old has signed a five-year deal for a fee reported to be in the region of £25m.

Kalimuendo joins from the Ligue 1 side having impressed by scoring 18 times and providing four assists in 34 games last season.

The France international will add valuable Europa League experience to Nuno Espirito Santo's team having played in the competition during his first two campaigns with Rennes.

"When I heard about the interest from Forest, I was honoured. This is a proud moment for me, joining a team who had a strong season last year and a club with great history," Kalimuendo told the Reds' official website.

"I'm ready for the challenge, and I arrive here with good experience. I had a good season last year with goals and assists, but I want more and want to reach a new level here.

"I can't wait to play in the Premier League, and to play at the City Ground. I watched games from last season and it's clear the fans create a beautiful atmosphere. I'm excited to see them and impatient to get started."

He is Forest's third signing in as many days after the additions of Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee.

Chief football officer Ross Wilson added: "It's been a busy few days for us - the culmination of a lot of hard work from our staff over a number of weeks.

"Arnaud is someone whose progress we've followed closely across PSG, Lens, and Rennes, and we're delighted that the next step in his journey will be here in Nottingham.

"He's arriving with real excitement and big energy, and we look forward to seeing that on the pitch."

So, it's been a busy few days in the market for Forest. How do you feel about the latest three additions? What the squad needed? Is there more business Forest still need to do?

Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Nottingham Forest and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans

Peter: Some of our play in the first half was the most fluid I've seen since we've been in this league. Brentford had no idea what was happening. Better late than never. Our new signings and those we've been linked to should address the issues that ultimately undid our bid for the top five last season.

Mark: Forest played some magnificent football in the first half. Every player we had on the pitch looked class. Gibbs-White and Anderson in particular were superb. The passes for goals two and three were top drawer. And there is more to come! I expect a higher finish in the league than last season.

Simon: Looks like Forest have the players to be more tactically flexible this season. Towards the end of last season teams were learning how to play them (and Forest players were getting tired). It now looks like they have more than one way to play and recruitment has been excellent.

Brentford fans

Will: A bit shocked that we let three in. Honestly, we looked half asleep in the first period. We were better in the second - it helped having Schade and then Henderson in. Should start them, and with Damsgaard back we will get needed creativity. Very much need more in the final third. Didn't see a visible strategy to deal with Forest's potent attack. Hope Andrews can learn and adjust as we move on. I hate to say it, but he looked kind of dazed.

Sam: A sloppy performance in which we were a shadow of our past selves. Defence and midfield was nowhere to be seen at times so when we lost the ball, Forest carved us open. Some positives - like Schade coming on and seeing Rico Henry back - but, overall, not pleased at all.

Richard: There were some positives but not many. We were outplayed by an in-form team. We have a lot of new players who in time will learn from this and improve. We go on to the next game with more information on where we need to improve. Come on, you Bees!

Pundits Danny Murphy and Joe Hart join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Chelsea 0-0 Crystal Palace

• Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brentford

• Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal

Manchester City and England right-back Rico Lewis, 20, say he has no intention of leaving the club despite interest from Nottingham Forest. (Mail), external

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Emma Smith
BBC Sport journalist

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After the politics comes the football. It has been a fascinating summer off the pitch for Forest, whose place in the Europa League was confirmed due to Crystal Palace being punished for breaching multi-club ownership rules.

There has also been intrigue in the transfer market, with Forest taking their time to add names for their European adventure.

The signings of Ipswich Town winger Omari Hutchinson and Manchester City midfielder James McAtee were confirmed on Saturday night - but too late to be involved against Brentford as they were introduced to fans on the pitch before the match.

So winger Dan Ndoye, signed from Bologna for £36m as a direct replacement for the departed Anthony Elanga, was Forest's only new signing to start.

While he enjoyed a debut goal, perhaps the club's best bit of summer business was tying Morgan Gibbs-White down to a new three-year contract after interest from Tottenham and Manchester City.

He captained Forest on Sunday and showed why the club were so keen to keep him as the England midfielder ran the show.

Gibbs-White, along with Elliot Anderson, controlled the midfield and sprung attack after attack with Brentford never allowed to settle.

It was little surprise to see the ex-Wolves man produce the best moment of individual quality in the 41st minute too - an expertly lofted and curling ball that Ndoye rose high to meet and head past Caoimhin Kelleher.

Gibbs-White also went close to a goal himself with a spectacular overhead effort.

Crucially for Forest, this game showed they possess an attacking threat - something they lacked in pre-season, with just one goal across their seven friendlies.

After pushing for a Champions League place last season before finishing a point short in seventh place, Forest have again shown their quality and intent.

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Nottingham Forest beat Brentford 3-1 in their opening Premier League fixture and manager Nuno Espirito Santo is 'delighted' with his side's performance.

"Very pleased with how we started the game and the football we played," the Portuguese told BBC Match of the Day.

"We were solid in our defending. It was a very good first half. The combinations were really good, beautiful goals. Pre-season was not very good but Chris [Wood] delivers when it really matters so we are delighted."

On Dan Ndoye's debut goal: "It gives confidence for him and that's good for him and the team of course.

On Morgan Gibbs-White's new contract: "It was very important for us. He is a key player and he has much more to show."

On the transfer window: "We address the situation during the week and we won't change because we won the game today. This is why we are insisting on a good balanced squad that gives us options and solutions. We are delighted that we can face this challenge."

• Hear more from Nuno speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham

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• Chris Wood has scored 30 non-penalty goals in the Premier League under Nuno Espírito Santo for Nottingham Forest, which is the joint-most of any player in the competition, along with Erling Haaland, since the Portuguese boss' first game in charge of the club (23 Dec, 2023).

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 Brentford's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies