Nottingham Forest

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Radio Solent's sports editor Adam Blackmore has given BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast the lowdown on what former Southampton man James Ward-Prowse will bring to Nottingham Forest.

Ward-Prowse's season-long loan move from West Ham was confirmed on deadline day with the 29-year-old boasting 343 Premier League appearances worth of experience.

"Rarely injured, rarely misses a game and he gives you a consistent level of performance," Blackmore told David Jackson.

"You might want a midfielder who can give you more nine and 10s out of 10 but James Ward-Prowse will rarely give you less than seven.

"What you get as a manager is knowing what you get with James. You're getting a player who can deliver what you ask him to do and turn up day in day out.

"He's as professional as they come and I think he's an asset to any club, not just on the pitch but off the pitch in the way he lives his life. He's an example to young players which is also a great strength of his which is worth having around a dressing room.

"You look at Danilo's injury and he's the perfect replacement. Last week, Forest won at Southampton with Elliot Anderson slightly out of position but to have Ward-Prowse in there with his engine as well and Morgan Gibbs-White ahead of them - I like that."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Dan Roan, Simon Stone and Tom Mallows
BBC Sport

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Nottingham Forest were deducted four points in March after an independent commission ruled the club's losses to 2022-23 breached the allowed threshold by £34.5m.

Forest's maximum loss was limited to £61m as they spent two years of the assessment period in the Championship.

They failed with an appeal in May but survived relegation by finishing 17th last season, six points above the drop zone.

It is not clear whether this ruling means the Premier League has no authority to take action for any period where a club is not a member, or just to charge them at the end of a three-year cycle.

The Premier League may need to tighten the rules in this case.

Read the full analysis of Leicester's PSR case

A new episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast has landed on BBC Sounds.

Colin Fray and David Jackson go inside James Ward-Prowse's loan move from West Ham, hear from Chris Wood and look forward to a potential England debut for Morgan Gibbs-White.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The dust has settled on the transfer window, the Premier League is well and truly back, and we are into the first international break of 2024-25.

So we want you to predict where Nottingham Forest will finish in the Premier League this season - thinking about their start to the campaign and summer transfer business.

Submit your prediction here

And also, please tell us what is the one thing - good or bad - you have learned about the Reds so far in the campaign?

Let us know your thoughts here, external

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James Ward-Prowse says he is looking forward to "cracking on" at Nottingham Forest, after completing a season-long loan move to the City Ground on transfer deadline day.

Speaking in his first club interview, external, Ward-Prowse said: "It feels amazing. It has been a crazy few days. I'm delighted to be here. When I knew I had the opportunity to come and join the club, and show what I can do, I thought it was a fantastic opportunity.

"My position changed and I had the opportunity to play football. It's always a tough decision - there are a lot of things to take into consideration - but, as soon as I knew Nottingham Forest were there for me, it was a chance to come and show people what I'm about.

"I'm looking forward to just cracking on now and starting my career here."

The former England international revealed what he is hoping to achieve during his loan spell: "I'm always looking to try and progress. That is the type of player and person that I am. This season will be no different, hopefully, to try and improve.

"I like to be thought of as a real hard-working player. I think that is something, as a boy, that I have always had in me - that hard work and desire. No matter whether you are having a good game or not, it is about that commitment and passion.

"Other than the hard work, I will hopefully bring some quality on the ball and contribute positively to the team."

The central midfielder has already made 343 Premier League appearances, so he is hoping to bring some of his experience to Nuno Espirito Santo's squad: "It feels weird to be at the age now where I'm viewed as the experienced player. It just shows how quickly football goes.

"I think that is something I can bring to the squad - the experiences that I've had. I have learnt from the good ones but also the difficult ones. Hopefully I can try to bring a little bit of that to the dressing room."

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

The success of Nottingham Forest's summer transfer window can only be judged over the coming months. However, the games against Wolves and Newcastle United in the past week bode well.

While many fans' hopes were focused on a new striker - one that failed to materialise - it has been said that manager Nuno Espirito Santo did not feel he needed one, and told the owner Evangelos Marinakis as much.

As it stands, Chris Wood already has two goals this season - and has remarkably scored 13 times in 19 Premier League starts under Nuno. Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi will be hoping to return to full fitness soon with the sharpness and confidence we know he has.

What we have seen of the new arrivals suggests that this window was well thought-out and strategic, unlike some others in the club's recent history. There were no last-minute panic buys, no baffling arrivals, just a calm and measured approach that strengthened the squad across the pitch.

And while the Reds might have spent £94m on transfers, a seemingly average figure for a Premier League club, our net spend has been quoted at just £18m. Admittedly, the bulk of the outgoings came under clever PSR accounting, which will be part of last year's financial results - avoiding another points deduction.

Nevertheless, this prudent approach has seen Nikola Milenkovic slot naturally into defence, Elliot Anderson fit in midfield like he was the missing part of a jigsaw, Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva seem a real threat up top - providing healthy competition across the front three positions - and we all know what James Ward-Prowse and Alex Moreno offer.

With an international break for the manager and squad to work together, the new faces who are not away representing their country will find their feet - and hopefully reassure us that the goals will come without a big-money striker.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Newcastle United will try to sign Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga again in future transfer windows. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

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

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Martin: We were good, more solid than last season, but there is still work to do. We are stronger on the left than the right. We played well and kept battling for the win which is good to watch. Jota Silva was lively when he came on as was Ramon Sosa which is positive. Some nice tricky football in there throughout. Not an easy opponent but one point feels a fair result.

Andy: A pity not to take three points but we would have lost that last season. We look so much surer at the back, particularly from set pieces. Lots of encouraging signs - we played well but Matheus Cunha is a different class. He owned the first half but Morgan Gibbs-White took the second.

Shaun: You can see that although the team have only played two Premier League games, they are forming a good understanding. Sosa and Jota are looking good. Once they have been with us another month or two i can see them starting matches. Sangare should be able to last 90+ minutes but has improved. Elliot Anderson looks to be a bargain. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

Coxsy: One mistake cost us the goal but on a positive we are much improved this season. We've been the better team. To be honest, I'm disappointed we have not got seven to nine points from the first 3 games.

Wolves fans

Kye: Good point! Sam Johnstone looks a good signing and it is comfortable on the ball. Michael Dawson was as solid as ever. VAR again doesn't like us as it was definitely handball from Chris Wood. Solid performance from all. Jorgen Strand Larsen looks very good.

Steve: Nothing different from what we have seen before. No cohesion at the back, a soft goal let in and no real attacking force yet. Seems like a replay of the second half of last season. I hope the manager manages to get them all to gel. It’s up to the players to support the manager and themselves.

Steve: I think it was a good game of football. Excellent goalkeeping by the new lad, while the defence is slowly improving and the midfielders along with the attackers are looking better. Cunha was busy, Mario Lemina looks sharp and Nelson Semedo is his usual self. I'm confident that, after the first win, many more will follow. Gary O'Neil's barmy army indeed.

Rob: Initial luck has run out for this out-of-depth manager. One win in 13. What a record.

Watch all the highlights and analysis from Saturday's seven Premier League fixtures with Gary and the team.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Leicester 1-2 Aston Villa

• West Ham 1-3 Man City

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Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to BBC MOTD: "First half the game was not in the rhythm - too much disruption. The rhythm of the game for both teams was lose possession, a disrupted game. One positive is we scored and the negative is we conceded so quickly.

"It changed in the second half, we were more dominant and we put Wolves against the ropes."

On Morgan Gibbs-White's England call-up: "Something that was his expectation, he works really hard everyday to achieve his goals. For us as a club we are proud and we wish him all the best."

On the transfer window closing: "The credit for the squad is the way they integrate and help each other. We have James [Ward-Prowse] and Morato joining us."

On James Ward-Prowse: "We are happy to have him."

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Chris Wood scored the opener for Nottingham Forest in this match with his seventh Premier League goal against Wolves – the joint-highest tally he has against any opposition in the competition (also seven vs West Ham).

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport journalist

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Chris Wood's feeling at home this season with his goal against Wolves a second in as many Premier League matches at the City Ground.

It's an opponent he enjoys facing and his opener after just 11 minutes was his seventh against Wolves overall.

It's the joint-most he's netted against any opposition (also vs West Ham) and only Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals against Wolves.

Wood - who is just the second player to net in both of Forest's opening home games of a Premier League campaign after Stan Collymore in 1994 - was lively throughout.

He tested Wolves debutant Sam Johnstone on a few occasions, was a threat in the air and linked up nicely with Morgan Gibbs-White.

Had he not been marginally offside when he converted from a late corner, he would have given Forest a hard-earned victory and claimed the headlines.

Nonetheless, his goals have helped Forest claim two points at home and they remain unbeaten after an encouraging start to the campaign.

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Forest fans, have your say on your side's performance, external

What did you think of that display, Wolves fans?, external

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

Follow reaction and read the match report

There are seven Premier League games this Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

All times BST

Follow all the action and reaction here

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentaries:

• Leicester v Aston Villa

• West Ham v Man City

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week three, he takes on MOBO Award-winning drum & bass legend and producer Adam F.

Sutton's prediction: 0-0

This is the Nuno derby. Wolves fell to pieces against Chelsea, I'm slightly concerned about Wolves.

They were actually pretty comfortable against Southampton, I think they deserved to win that one.

Wolves fell to pieces, they're clearly missing Max Kilman who they sold to West Ham. I just wonder what damage that second half will do, the way Chelsea really rolled them over.

But I think this will be a close one.

Adam F's prediction: 1-0

This is a tricky one to call.

Read the full predictions and have your say

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Following the permanent move of goalkeeper Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace to Wolves, the Eagles have signed Nottingham Forest shot-stopper Matt Turner on loan for the 2024-25 season.

Turner, a USA international, joined Forest from Arsenal last summer.

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport Football News Reporter

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The signing of James Ward-Prowse is a real statement of intent from Nottingham Forest.

Coming into their third season back in the Premier League, Forest need to start establishing themselves in the top flight - rather than just battle relegation.

The midfielder played 51 times for West Ham last season and, even though he only joins on loan, it underlines Forest's determination to push up the league.

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Nottingham Forest's newest recruit James Ward-Prowse believes his deadline day loan move to the City Ground is a "fantastic opportunity".

The England international has joined Nuno Espirito Santo's side on a season-long loan from West Ham and arrives at the club with over 380 Premier League appearances to his name.

After signing his deal, Ward-Prowse said: "I'm delighted to be here. When I knew I had the opportunity to join the club, and come and show what I can do, I thought it was a fantastic opportunity.

"Having played Nottingham Forest a few times, the atmosphere here is one of the best I have played in - so to hopefully experience that week in, week out now is something really special."

Nottingham Forest's chief football officer Ross Wilson added: "Everyone is familiar with James' talent in the Premier League, along with his strong leadership and personal qualities.

"We are confident that he will make an immediate impact both on and off the pitch, and we look forward to him joining up with the squad."