​As the excitement builds toward the upcoming Premier League campaign, newly appointed Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner has delivered a remarkably candid assessment of his squad’s readiness. With Forest scheduled to host Leeds United at the City Ground on August 22nd, the tactical mastermind has confessed that his players may not be operating at peak physical condition when the curtain officially rises on the new season.

​Following his arrival at the City Ground—where he succeeded Vitor Pereira after leading Crystal Palace to a historic European trophy triumph—Glasner has been tasked with steering the Tricky Trees through a fiercely demanding start to the league calendar. Alongside Leeds, Forest face a brutal opening block featuring clashes against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, and Aston Villa in their first four fixtures.

​Glasner’s Honest Verdict on Forest’s Readiness

​Speaking in an exclusive interview with talkSPORT, the Austrian manager addressed the daunting fixture list with characteristic pragmatism, emphasizing that his primary focus remains on internal development rather than worrying about the schedule.

​”I never think about if it is a difficult start, or a challenging start. We take it how it is, we take it game by game, and we can’t influence it, so it’s the best way to prepare in the best possible way to be in the best possible shape at the beginning of the season,” Glasner told talkSPORT.

​However, when pressed on whether his squad will be firing on all cylinders by opening weekend, Glasner offered a surprisingly blunt reality check regarding their pre-season adaptation period:

​”That’s what we’re doing, investing a lot, so that we are ready for Leeds, and then going to Anfield. But now we still focus on creating a shared way of playing everybody, understanding each other what we want to do, and… Honestly, I don’t think we are in our top shape against Leeds, but over the weeks, when we will work on a daily basis when we will improving during the season. I really believe that we can play a fantastic season.”

​For Daniel Farke’s Leeds United, hearing that an opposition manager admits to vulnerability early on could provide a psychological boost as the Whites look to make a statement on opening day.

​How Nottingham Forest’s Pre-Season is Unfolding

​To understand Glasner’s cautious stance, one only needs to look at the club’s extensive summer schedule. Forest have already kicked off their preparations with a series of fixtures, securing a victory over Notts County in England before jetting off to Portugal, where they comfortably dispatched Blackburn Rovers 3–0 and played out a hard-fought draw against Portuguese outfit Vitória SC.

​The Tricky Trees still have a packed itinerary ahead before the Premier League action kicks off. They are set to play two more fixtures in Portugal before traveling to take on Italian side Udinese and Spanish giants Barcelona. Afterward, Forest will wrap up their summer preparations back on home soil with high-profile tests against German side Bayer Leverkusen and French outfit Stade Brest.

​Despite the heavy workload and the massive tactical shifts under a new coaching staff, Glasner remains entirely confident that daily improvements will yield a fantastic campaign once the team fully grasps his system.

​Leeds United’s Summer Preparations Continue

​Meanwhile, Daniel Farke’s Leeds side are deep into their own pre-season preparations. Following a narrow and frustrating 3–2 defeat to Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham—courtesy of a late winner from Sam Smith—the Whites are gearing up for their second summer test against Sunderland on Friday.

​Following their clash with the Black Cats, Leeds will head across the Atlantic for a high-profile fixture against Liverpool in Chicago before returning to England for further tune-ups against RB Leipzig, Manchester United, and Augsburg.

​As both clubs put the finishing touches on their squads and tactical identities, the stage is officially set for a high-octane showdown at the City Ground on August 22nd. Whether Forest reach their top shape by then or not, the opening-day battle promises to be unmissable entertainment.