Nottingham Forest’s season has been defined by a striking paradox.
Bookended by frustrating 1-0 home defeats—starting with an opening-day slip-up against Leeds United and culminating in a limp, lackluster reverse against newly promoted Coventry City right before the international break—the Reds have struggled to find consistent rhythm at the City Ground. In fact, their lingering domestic home form woes stretch all the way back to April.
Yet, looking at the broader picture reveals a vastly different narrative. Sandwiched between those home disappointments were impressive performances: a gritty display away at Liverpool, a hard-earned blank against Tottenham, and a statement 2-1 victory away at Aston Villa.
As Nottingham Forest navigates a mixed bag of early-season results, correspondent Sarah Clapson breaks down why manager Oliver Glasner’s tenure demands patience, and why there is still genuine cause for optimism on the banks of the Trent.
Lifting the Weight of the Past
From day one at the City Ground, Oliver Glasner has made one thing abundantly clear: his project is a slow-burner. Taking over a club coming off the back of an exhausting, turbulent campaign means untangling deep-seated psychological hurdles.
Following their defeat to Coventry, Glasner doubled down on that assessment, pointing directly to the “heaviness of the past” weighing on his squad.
“It is not just the home record. The negative home record is maybe the consequence of this. When you are fighting against relegation for more or less the entire season, things happen. I think we all know this from our own lives, that when things happen in the past and then maybe a similar situation comes, you remember these things,” Glasner explained.
After battling against the drop for the majority of last year, the psychological scars take time to heal. Breaking that cycle requires patience, steady reinforcement, and time on the training pitch.
The Building Blocks: Talent and Defensive Stability
Despite the inconsistent results, the underlying foundations at the City Ground are genuinely strong. Forest boasts an abundance of top-tier quality across the pitch:
- Star Power: Morgan Gibbs-White continues to drive the attack, leading all English players in Premier League goal involvements over the calendar year with 18.
- Rising Stars: James McAtee is flourishing in his expanded role, while Liam Delap and former Europa League golden boot sharer Igor Jesus provide formidable firepower up front.
- Defensive Resilience: According to WhoScored, the Reds currently boast the lowest expected goals (xG) conceded in the Premier League this season at just 5.25.
While the attack needs to sharpen its finishing in tight matches, the defensive structural integrity proves that Glasner’s tactical blueprint is taking root.
Embracing the Slow and Steady Approach
Just a year ago, Forest was embarking on a thrilling European odyssey in Seville that nearly carried them all the way to a historic continental final. Owner Evangelos Marinakis remains as ambitious as ever, perpetually chasing silverware and a return to the big stage.
However, after the chaotic rollercoaster of the 2025/26 season, stepping back to build a solid, sustainable platform is the wisest course of action. Following a grueling relegation scrap, establishing mid-table stability and comfortable Premier League survival would represent a tangible step forward.
As the squad grows increasingly accustomed to Glasner’s demands, performances and results are expected to steadily climb. The path forward may feature some bumps along the way, but for Nottingham Forest, trusting the long-term process is the key to unlocking future glory.
Do you think Nottingham Forest should target a domestic cup run this season, or should OliverGlasner focus entirely on securing a comfortable mid-table Premier League finish?
