Nottingham Forest

Colin Fray
BBC Radio Nottingham reporter

There is a quiet feeling of mild optimism about Forest ahead of their third season back in the Premier League, however, nobody is getting carried away or having a sudden expectation they will leap from narrowly avoiding relegation to challenging for Europe.

Instead, it is for a steadier, less traumatic season, with less stress about the proximity of the bottom three. A little more distance points-wise above the relegation zone would be progress and most fans are encouraged by what has happened over the summer.

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo seems happy and settled (as much as any Premier League boss can be!) and has been pleased to have a full pre-season working with his squad. Pre-season results are never an indicator of what might happen when the real stuff starts, but Forest's performances have been solid and encouraging. As the summer has gone on, they have seemed to be a more developed squad and club than at similar times in the past two years.

And then there is the transfer window.

So far, the business done seems to be both understandable and strengthening. They have not spent fortunes by Premier League standards, but the squad looks stronger - despite it being six in and 20 out since the end of last season.

Forest continue to be linked with forwards and a goalkeeper, and it would not be surprising to see more additions and departures before the end of August.

But the transfer business has seemed calm and measured. It appears profit and sustainability rules have been complied with - Nuno certainly believes so - so a points deduction should not be a concern.

There was scepticism and anger among the fan base towards the end of last season when a huge hike in season ticket prices was announced, and it seemed possible that the club may leave the City Ground.

However, fans have bought tickets in big numbers again - the ground is likely to be sold out for every game again - and the future seems more settled on Trentside.

So, many of those negative feelings from the early part of the summer have been replaced by that quiet optimism - that things could be a little safer and the next nine months may not be quite as stressful as last season.

Live commentary of Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth from 15:00 BST on Saturday on BBC Radio Nottingham DAB, 95.1FM and 103.8FM

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport football statistician

While it was Nottingham Forest's points deduction that meant they only secured survival on the final day last season, a big reason why they were so close to the drop in the first place was their problems between the posts.

Despite the fact that only the top three and Crystal Palace had a better defence in terms of xG, only four teams conceded more goals. All three of their three goalkeepers struggled with stopping shots, letting in around 17 more goals than expected given the quality of chances they faced between them.

Although they continued to rank near the bottom for possession and pressing, Forest's numbers after Nuno Espirito Santo took charge at Christmas were those of a mid-table side, so there are reasons to hope that they will not be facing the chop so late again this campaign.

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the first-round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.

Thirteen Premier League clubs will enter in the second round, as will Luton Town and Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight in 18th and 19th positions last season.

The draw for round two will be regionalised into northern and southern sections.

The seven Premier League clubs playing in European competitions in 2024-25, including Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, will come in at the third-round stage.

The key dates for the competition are as follows:

• Second round - w/c 26 August

• Third round - w/c 16 and w/c 23 September

• Fourth round - w/c 28 October

• Quarter-finals - w/c 16 December

• Semi-finals - w/c 6 January (first leg) and w/c 3 February

• Final - 16 March

Follow Wednesday's action and then the full draw here from 19:30 BST

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have appointed Miran Pavlin as the club's new international sporting advisor.

The former Slovenia international, who played at Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, has spent the past four years at sporting director of the Slovenian FA.

He has also worked as sporting director for Maribor, as they qualified for Europe five times including the Champions League twice.

The ex-Porto and Freiburg midfielder will support the expansion of the club's international scouting network and develop sporting initiatives across the world.

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Having survived two seasons in the top flight, Forest have a real chance to cement their place in the Premier League. These things do not come easy, we know, but the majority of the squad has been here for at least a season now and the constant change should be in the past (we hope). For that reason, I think 14th is a reasonable prediction.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

We have been linked with Santiago Gimenez - and Forest are obviously linked with a lot of players - but if the Feyenoord striker was to sign, or anybody as prolific, then it would certainly bolster our chances. Taiwo Awoniyi's injury problems curtailed our goal threat last season and another goalscorer would make a huge difference.

What do you want from your manager this season?

Nuno Espirito Santo has had a full pre-season with the players and should have identified our strongest first XI and our best style of play by now. Building on the positives of last season, we should hope he can start to replicate some of the success he achieved with Wolves. The balance between keeping it tight at the back and encouraging attacking flair is always a fine one.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

Elliot Anderson looked like he had been here for months when he made his City Ground debut against Villarreal. The former Newcastle player appeared to be at ease attacking from the left, but can also play centrally, and that extra impetus in midfield will hopefully help the Reds drive forwards.

What is your one major concern?

Scoring goals has been an issue and, even if we have a fit Awoniyi, creating or taking chances is something we have to improve. Linking the midfield and the forward line will be key, and if the side enables Morgan Gibbs-White to influence games as best he can, then we should be fine.

Pat Riddell can be found at The Famous Club, external

Image source, Getty Images

On the latest episode of the Shut Up and Show More Football podcast, David Jackson and Colin Fray have been discussing the high-pressing style Nottingham Forest have played during pre-season.

They ponder whether that is likely to continue for the start of their Premier League campaign.

Jackson: "The high press is interesting because they were the dead opposite to that for a long time since making the step up into the Premier League.

"Where they've got some of their success, especially against the better teams, is actually by sitting very deep and then counter-attacking.

"I wonder if we will see the high press every time because it is risky, especially against the better teams.

"You can just get passed through if you're not careful so I wonder if that will be used every time or sometimes. I wonder if that's a complete change of policy or just something to try now before the first few games."

Fray: "I can see probably for the start at home against Bournemouth, Forest really being on the front foot with that high press.

"You're not gonna go to Manchester City and play that way or Arsenal but it is interesting. That's certainly something that caught the eye in pre-season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest are closing in on the signing of Paraguay striker Ramon Sosa from Argentine club Talleres. The deal for the 24-year-old would be worth around £11m. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

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

After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.

Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast is available now on BBC Sounds.

Colin Fray and David Jackson preview the 2024-25 season as Forest prepare for their third consecutive season in the Premier League, plus you can listen to interviews with midfielder Ryan Yates, winger Anthony Elanga and manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

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The curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?

The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.

See the results here

Nottingham Forest have rejected Atalanta's bid of more than €20m (£17.1m) for Wales defender Neco Williams, 23. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

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Nottingham Forest have a "template" for success in the shape of Olympiakos, BBC Radio Nottingham reporter Colin Fray believes.

The two clubs, both owned by Evangelos Marinakis, met in a pre-season friendly in Greece on Thursday - with Forest winning 4-3.

Fray watched the game having earlier visited Olympiakos' training facilities, and thinks the infrastructure there - on and off the pitch - is "a model for Forest to aspire to".

He said: "On the pitch, they won a European competition last season. They won the Europa Conference League and also the Uefa Youth League at under-19 level. The two head coaches came out with those trophies [at the friendly].

"They're hugely proud, and it's where I'm sure Evangelos Marinakis wants eventually to take Forest. It may take years and years, it may seem fanciful at this stage, but you can see there's a template there for Marinakis and Forest to try to follow."

On the game itself, Fray added: "Forest played well and got themselves into a very healthy position, leading 4-1 and running Olympiakos ragged at that stage, and then towards the end after a lot of substitutions they lost their way a little bit.

"Some positive stuff out there on display. One or two issues, but you always get those in pre-season - that's what pre-season is all about."

On the latest episode of Shut Up and Show More Football from BBC Radio Nottingham, Colin Fray is in Greece, where Forest completed their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Olympiakos.

He catches up with ex-Red Julian Bennett and talks about the good things that may come from Nuno Espirito Santo having a full summer with his squad.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo spoke to BBC Radio Nottingham about how his squad have developed during pre-season.

The former Wolves and Tottenham boss said: "I'm very happy because all of the players have worked very hard. The commitment of them on a daily basis is something that makes me really proud.

"In terms of the group, we are achieving what the main purpose of pre-season is; prepare the team and build a bond, the togetherness. We're going to face a lot of obstacles ahead of us. Being together will make things easier.

"The plan is now to rest, recover well and start preparing for Bournemouth. Nothing else matters now, we'll go all in for it. I'm looking forward to it."

We asked for your thoughts after Thursday's 4-3 pre-season friendly win against Olympiakos in Greece.

Here are some of your comments:

Sean: Some really good appearances from our players, Anderson looks a really good signing and Sangare looked miles better than he ever did last season. Still defensively looking a bit unsure but scoring from set pieces and keeping moves alive suggests we've made some good progress this summer. On to Bournemouth then.

Smudger: I am pleased with what I have seen, midfield looks much stronger and the wingers Hudson-Odoi and Elanga have hit form and now have a back up. The areas of concern are still defence and set-piece defending. Would also like another striker through the door as Awoniyi has not proved his fitness and we need back up to Wood.

Terry: Some wonderful passing on show again. The team is building and starting to know where they are on the pitch. The first pre-season in years when a likely starting XI played together before the first game. Exciting times.

Kev: While the Premier League may be what matters most, it's also good at this point in the build-up to see the Reds playing positive football once more and putting the ball in the opponents' net. When compared to previous pre-seasons, Forest now look like a well-drilled team and prepared for the task ahead.

Jack: It was nice to see us scoring from some set pieces rather than conceding from them. Anderson looks a remarkable step up from Gibbs-White on set-piece duties. Think we all saw why we signed Miguel last night. Sels, whilst helping us stay up last season, showed that he isn't the keeper for us to use as a launchpad to climb up the table this season.

Image source, Getty Images

Academy coach and former Nottingham Forest defender Julian Bennett believes a full pre-season under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been "imperative" in preparing for the new Premier League season.

Nuno was appointed to replace the sacked Steve Cooper in December and guided Forest to safety despite a four-point deduction for a breach of the Premier League's PSR regulations.

Now, with a full pre-season with his squad almost completed, Bennett believes Forest are well prepared for the new campaign.

"They're looking sharp, the chemistry is building and for the gaffer to have a full pre-season with the team I think is imperative," he told BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up and Show More Football podcast.

"They're cooking and they're looking ready for the start of the season. That's the important thing - the build up. Can we be 100% for the Bournemouth game and it looks like we're going in the right direction.

"The gaffer is present, he has time for everybody. To have a full pre-season with a manager under your belt is so important from a player's perspective. The team bonding, the management, the coaches, everybody - that brotherhood is important and you take it into the season.

"You're starting to see more of an identity on the pitch in the performances of what the gaffer wants. I really like the pressing from the front and utilising our speed and our width, getting it out wide and I think there will be more positivity in the team.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Callum Hudson-Odoi again this season. I think people like him will benefit more alongside the team.

"The end of last season was brilliant and as a team as well we really started to get some consistency.

"Now we speak about pre-season and how it is so integral. I saw the guys when they came back for the fitness tests and they're looking sharp.

"For the guys to come back in tip top shape, go into a pre-season camp with all the details and what the gaffer wants to build on and work on in the team - it is going to be an exciting season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

What did you make of that performance, Forest fans?

After finishing pre-season with a win, do you feel confident in Nuno Espirito Santo's team?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.

A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.

I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.

As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.

So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.

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Nottingham Forest finished their pre-season with a 4-3 victory against Olympiakos on Thursday night.

Ryan Yates netted twice while Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga also scored as Forest edged a seven-goal thriller at Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus.

Yates headed in from close range to grab a 15th-minute lead and Wood acrobatically converted from close range after a Gelson Martins equaliser to see Nuno Espirito Santo's side lead 2-1 at the break.

Yates nodded in his second as Wood kept a chance alive after an Elliot Anderson free-kick struck the post. Elanga then converted following a superb solo run to make it 4-1.

Martins and Kristoffer Velde pulled goals back for the hosts, but Forest held on to see out victory.

Forest's Premier League season kicks off on 17 August when they host Bournemouth.

Marcus Alves
Portuguese football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Having been dubbed the 'Portuguese Jack Grealish' because of his likeness to the Manchester City star, Jota Silva will be keen to prove that there are more similarities between them than their haircut.

He adopted the slicked-back style - with a hairband - during the Covid-19 lockdown when he was unable to have his locks cut and has kept it since.

"I like him [Grealish] a lot so it's fantastic for me to be compared to him. People say we look alike, especially because of the haircut, but, as a player, I believe I'm slightly better than him," Jota said with a chuckle during an interview with Dezanove22, Vitoria's official podcast, last year.

It was in the domestic second division with Casa Pia that the comparisons with Grealish started and never stopped, with Bernardo Silva even taking a selfie with Jota during a recent national team camp to send to his City team-mate.

"Despite all that, I would say they are different players," Joao Ferreira, who coached Jota at SC Espinho, told BBC Sport.

"Grealish is a bit more of a constructor while Jota is a finisher, covers more the last 20 metres of the pitch and enjoys playing closer to the goal.

"He has improved a lot over the past season and can be involved in the game in different areas. He's much more complete now.

"Although he's more used as a winger, I still believe his best position is as a striker - either operating as a target man or as a second forward.

"He has that killer instinct in the box and also a great aerial ability. However, because he's not very tall [he is 1.79m], other coaches prefer to have him wide."

Read the full piece on Nottingham Forest's latest signing here

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have announced that former players Wes Morgan and Lewis Grabban have rejoined the club in academy roles.

Ex-striker Grabban, who scored 56 goals for Forest between 2018 and 2022, will initially work as a coach with the Under-18 squad.

Former centre-back Morgan played more than 400 games for Forest and has returned to the City Ground in a scouting role.

Marcus Alves
Portugese football writer

Image source, Getty Images

Originally a right-back who could also play on the left, Jota Silva spent much of his formative time with Portuguese minnows Sousense flying down the flanks.

Such was his attacking threat, he ended up being converted into a striker and then into a winger.

Coming from outside one of the country's biggest academies to make it as an elite professional was an obviously difficult challenge.

Liverpool's Diogo Jota and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes are among the few exceptions to have done it.

The new Forest signing has had to take the long road, overcoming a series of setbacks growing up, including having his foot broken and being released by Pacos de Ferreira after a brief spell.

But all these experiences have moulded the character of a player who gets to the pitch with so much hunger that he has made biting his tongue while running with the ball his trademark back home.

"We usually played every Sunday, so our Monday training sessions were more relaxed for those who had been involved in the game and the same applied to the Saturday ones, but Jota, no, he worked every single day as if it were Wednesday," Joao Ferreira, who coached him at SC Espinho, told BBC Sport.

"It didn't matter to him that we had a match the following day. He would throw his head where others would place their feet.

"When we brought him from Sousense to Espinho, that was his first time competing in a professional league, so we planned to use him as a rotation player at first.

"But he made such an impact that it quickly became clear that he wouldn't be around long."

Read the full piece on Nottingham Forest's latest signing here

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's friendly between Nottingham Forest and Villarreal.

Here are some of your comments:

Peter: I thoroughly enjoyed watching a game without stressing about the result. We looked very sharp, a lot more so than in previous pre-seasons. At times, our link-up play was excellent. We clearly still lack a cutting edge though and this will cost us in the unforgiving Premier League. All our signings have been astute; Nikola Milenkovic looked class.

Bondy: There were some great defensive moments against Villarreal but all too many old habits still apparent. Some absolute magnificent tackles and possession gains, only to be lost immediately by wayward passing. The team are looking fitter than last year and that was evident when compared to Villarreal players who were out of steam after 60 minutes. We need to create more chances still!

Ian: The start was much like last season. Slow in possession, fragile defence, and lack of creativity, with not enough goal scoring chances. The five subs lifted the pace and we looked a lot better and created some better chances, albeit still not enough. Overall, progress is so small that we will still be in relegation battle. Not good enough!

Stanley: It's like watching carefully crafted jigsaw pieces slowly fitting together, then rolling like the cogs of a well-oiled hand-operated machine in smooth motion. Well done, Marinakis, Nuno and the boys, we Nottingham Forest fans are delighted! What a fabulous Premier League season ahead of us!

Ken: Defensively it was very good. Milenkovic was an absolute bargain as he really is world class. Matz Sels surely has the number one spot? It was an excellent penalty save and he looked assured. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga were awful. If we get Ramon Sosa to go with Jota Silva, then they could lose their places because of their end product.