Nottingham Forest

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest are ready for a pivotal weekend in the Premier League's survival battle.

Forest will go nine points clear of the relegation zone if they beat Leeds at Elland Road on Friday.

They are level on points with 16th placed Leeds with third bottom West Ham also travelling to second bottom Burnley, adding to potential drama on Saturday.

Forest have won their last two league away games, a dramatic and controversial late 2-1 at West Ham before an impressive 2-0 victory at Brentford.

Along with Sunday's 1-1 draw with 10 men against Crystal Palace they have kept clear of the 18th-placed Hammers and boss Sean Dyche knows the importance of the weekend.

"There's so much noise about football they [the players] don't need me to keep reminding them about the games," said the former Burnley and Everton manager.

"I have spoken endlessly about my mentality and what I'm trying to get into the players and I think they are absorbing it.

"Every game is big, every game we should go into believing we can win, every game we can be competitive in and if we play well we can win.

"We have shown really good signs of this. Tottenham, at Anfield. It's not easy but this is the mentality I want.

"The noise can be the noise but you see through that with your pure mentality to deliver. We're seeing signs of that getting there. If you can stay focused on the next game it brings that consistency."

Leeds' record at Elland Road has kept them afloat in the relegation battle, losing just three of their 12 games.

Their last home game was a 4-0 thumping by Arsenal and other defeats have come to Aston Villa at Tottenham but they would be comfortably mid-table just going on their form at Elland Road.

"It doesn't make you infallible or win every game," said Dyche on Leeds' home form. "We're coming up ready to play and with a commitment to win a game.

"We have shown that lately, at Brentford and West Ham, different for different reasons. There's some really good signs of our mentality."

Nottingham Forest's England international Elliot Anderson, 23, tops Manchester United's list of midfield targets. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

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Tyrese King
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche has been speaking to the media before Friday's Premier League game against Leeds United at Elland Road (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On Team news: "Pretty good, Callum [Hudson-Odi] has a knock on his shoulder, he landed awkwardly, but it's nothing too serious even though it's a painful one. We will have to make a decision on that, not today but over the next 36 hours."

• Dyche believes there is a "rough chance" goalkeeper Mat Selz will be available for Friday: "We're waiting over the next 48 hours to get some advice on it, so we'll take an opinion over the next few days before I think about the length of it. We have a chance, but we'll see how it settles."

• On signing "up and coming" defender Luca Netz in the January transfer window: " He's a young, up and coming player, who adds balance because we are limited in that position. He's one amongst a number of players here I think who have been brought in for a 'what's next' type of thing but that doesn't mean he can't play now."

• On new goalkeeper Stefan Ortega: "He's a keeper that we have liked from history. I have always said that we have great goalkeepers at this football club. John getting injured has allowed the chance for Ortega to come in. He's enjoying it so far and has mixed in with the group."

• However, Dyche said Forest also missed out on transfer targets: "There was a number of situations that we felt like we could operate in but I did say before it's not just targeting players, it's getting deals done which isn't an easy process but overall, we have talented players here."

Pat Riddell
Fan writer

Everybody knows the January transfer window is not a good time for shopping. But, like the Boxing Day sales, that does not stop expensive, impulse buys.

Nottingham Forest are past masters at the supermarket-sweep logic of deadline day. Whether it is bringing in numbers for the sake of it, spending vast sums on transfer fees or wages, or simply scattergun bids for players we do not need - the Reds have done it all and more.

Except this time around, it was a fairly sensible transfer window. Admittedly, given our position in the league, we probably expected more activity. And you have to wonder what might have happened if just a few of the players we were seriously linked with had arrived.

As it is, managing to return two loan players who, frankly, seemed to be past their best, made a lot of financial sense and made room in our named squads for both the Premier League and the Europa League. Replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko with Luca Netz seems a low-risk, high-reward move.

We will see how Douglas Luiz fares at Aston Villa but perhaps the only question mark is whether we needed another midfielder. Moves for Davide Frattesi, Hayden Hackney and Arne Engels came to nothing but, at the business end of the season, our first-choice pairing of Elliot Anderson and Ibrahim Sangare are going to be hard to shift.

Sending Arnaud Kalimuendo out on loan puzzled many but bringing in Lorenzo Lucca until the end of the season hopefully proves a smart move. Scoring is evidently one of our biggest problems this campaign and, without Chris Wood, big-money moves for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jorgen Strand Larsen could easily have gone either way.

And finally, Stefan Ortega on a five-month deal for goalkeeper cover, with John Victor out for the season, seems sensible business.

Now we wait to see how the next few months pan out and hopefully the summer offers a better opportunity to properly assess the squad's needs - rather than the January sales.

Find more from Pat Riddell at The Famous Club, external

Nottingham Forest have done the following business on deadline day:

• Left-back Luca Netz has joined Nottingham Forest from Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach for an undisclosed fee on a four-and-a-half-year deal.

• Nottingham Forest forward Esapa Osong has joined League Two Fleetwood Town on an initial loan deal that has the option to become permanent at the end of the season.

• Northampton Town have signed midfielder Kyle McAdam and defender Ben Hammond on loan from Nottingham Forest. The pair, both 21, have joined the Cobblers for the rest of the season

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Left-back Luca Netz says he is "ready for a new challenge" after joining Nottingham Forest from Bundesliga side Borussia Monchengladbach.

The 22-year-old has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal for an undisclosed fee until the summer of 2030, having featured 124 times for the German club.

Netz came through the academy at Hertha Berlin before moving to Monchengladbach in 2021 and has scored three goals and provided 18 assists during his time there.

Speaking to club media, the Germany Under-21 international said: "Nottingham Forest is a great club with a unique history. The chance to play for this club in the Premier League immediately excited me.

"I am ready for a new challenge and the next step in my career. I am extremely motivated to get started here and am incredibly excited about the first training sessions and matches at the City Ground in front of our fans."

Forest global head of football Edu Gaspar added: "A part of the model is to add talented young players to the squad that can grow with us. Despite his age, Luca has played well over 100 times at the highest level in Germany, so we are signing a player with a good blend of potential and experience.

"With the ability to play on the left side, Luca brings balance to our team and we are all looking forward to see him settle in Nottingham and contribute for the rest of the season and beyond."

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have failed with an approach for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

The Premier League side contacted the Championship promotion-chasers on Sunday but it was immediately knocked back.

Boro are level on points with Coventry City at the top of the Championship as they look to return to the top flight for the first time since 2016-17.

Hackney turned down a move to Ipswich Town in the summer after Middlesbrough agreed a £20m deal.

The 23-year-old was happy to bide his time at Boro, having come through the academy and made 145 appearances, and choose his next move carefully.

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you what still needs to happen before the transfer window closes at 19:00 GMT on Monday.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Some premier league experience please, to balance all the young blood Edu is bringing in, with the hope of churning a profit. Look at Xhaka at Sunderland, Henderson at Brentford, absolute point-securers!

Rob: Forest desperately need a creative midfielder to take the load off Gibbs-White and another wide player as the summer signings just haven't been good enough so yes creative players required. Defensively sound but in some games look like they could plat all night and wouldn't score of we played all day.

Steve: A left back and a centre midfielder. Not convinced we need another striker if Wood can get fit and Lucca can hit the ground running.

John: The squad is reasonably good now we have secured another striker on loan. We could do with another left back to allow consistent performer Neco Williams a break or coverage if he gets injured or suspended like he has done today.

Billy: We desperately need cover at full back, with a left footer an urgent issue. If either Williams or Aina get injured, we're in it up to our necks. With a backup GK added, it'd just be great if we could do nothing stupid like signing another eleven players or smashing our transfer record with a big money signing. Let's steady the ship.

Mark: Given our spending in the Summer, I'm not sure a £40 Larsson or Mateta signing is what we need. We've just brought big Lucca in upfront on loan, sensible as we can have a look before deciding to buy. Without Wood we are short of options up front but not we have Jesus, Lucca and Taiwo to pick from we'll surely have enough to last the season. A centre mid to replace Luiz and more full back cover might be needed but get through to the end of the season and look again rather than spend money now at the over inflated January prices.

Steve: A goalkeeper a recognised left wing-back and a proven goalscorer, but that has been the same since promotion!

Ask us questions about Nottingham Forest and we'll put them to our experts

Today is the final chance of the season for your Premier League team to do transfer business.

The window closes at 19:00 GMT, meaning teams - and fans - can avoid the usual late-night transfer scramble.

It has already been a busy window - for some teams anyway - but whether it turns out to be a day of transfer action or a pretty quiet one for your club, you will be able to keep across it all on BBC Sport.

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Nottingham Forest are looking at other targets as their approach for Inter Milan's Italy midfielder Davide Frattesi, 26, is unlikely to succeed. (Sky Sports), external

Celtic have rejected a £14m offer from Forest for 22-year-old Belgium midfielder Arne Engels. (Mail), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Danny Murphy and Troy Deeney join host Mark Chapman to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's four Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Aston Villa 0-1 Brentford

• Manchester United 3-2 Fulham

• Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace

• Tottenham 2-2 Manchester City

Steve Sutcliffe
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

While the current league table will not make for pleasant viewing for Forest supporters, there could be no cause for complaint about the effort or quality of their performance in the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace.

Appearing to be so comfortable with a player less for just over half a game should provide optimism that the momentum established with wins over Brentford and Ferencvaros has been maintained.

Morgan Gibbs-White was central to every moment of attacking promise and capped a fine showing with a goal.

Behind him Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson controlled midfield until Neco Williams' moment of madness made their task more difficult.

And while Sean Dyche may have earned a reputation for being pragmatic in some quarters, his side did not just sit back. They continued to show ambition going forward and richly deserved their point, if not more.

Following a slow beginning to their campaign, which saw managers Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou sacked in quick succession, Forest have started to pick up some momentum.

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

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Kris: But for a moment of madness, which led to a penalty, Palace didn't look likely to score. Even with 10, we were comfortable and can take a lot of positives. Not convinced Ndoye was the right player to bring on, though - Awoniyi's power might have caused Palace more problems.

Andy: The only mistake Neco Williams has made all season. He's been outstanding and we all make mistakes. No criticism from me. MGW was on another level. I'm still not a Dyche fan for next season but we can take real heart and faith from that performance. Four points from the next two and we'll be OK.

Sean: It was a really good first half, both teams went for it, but it ended terribly with the penalty and red card. But the second half was as good as we've been, with Gibbs-White, Aina and several others giving us a genuine attacking threat. A point looks fair to both, and the nature of the battling draw something to build on.

Ben: A big opportunity missed considering Forest's dominance with 11 players, but you can't blame Williams - it was a purely instinctual reaction and we've all been there. Forest fans should take great optimism from the first-half performance and the willingness of players to dig in for the point. Definite signs of improvement. But, focus switches to the next two games, which will probably make or break our push for survival.

Palace fans

John: Glasner really has to go now. Another inept performance and named two goalies as subs when we have a much-lauded academy. Pino and Johnson very poor for a combined £50m-plus investment.

Sean: Against 10 men, we should really be looking to put three points on the board and some distance between ourselves and the bottom three. We seem to lack any sort of urgency, intelligence and touch as the ball gets into the opposition's half, which is a direct contrast to the side that was ripping teams to shreds only a few months back. I think we're going to get battered by the top teams as the season draws to a close and will be lucky to stay up.

Steve: Sadly, the second-half performance was predictable. It shone a very strong spotlight on Palace's lack of quality. To say they were ponderous would be an understatement. The hope is Wharton and Kamada will come back soon, and the new recruits can add something different. A marvellous opportunity to move further away from the relegation zone has been wasted.

Ron: Terrible performance. Slow in everything. Just awful. Plain to see they don't want to play for Glasner any more. He needs to go so new life can be put into the team. I'm sorry to be so negative but they need revitalising.

Nottingham Forest boss Sean Dyche, speaking to Sky Sports: "The half-time changes the whole feeling of the game. We had some real quality play. The mistake forces the corner. I think it's an instinctive reaction from Neco Williams. I'm not going to question him on that."

On Matz Sels: "He's got what we think is a groin problem. He'll have a scan as soon as possible.

"We changed the shape and went to 4-3-2. We have good strength at the back but we did well to contain it. So many good performances today."

On Williams' red: "I've not said much to him at all. It's one of those things. He's been terrific here. It's an instinctive reaction, he's thrown his head at it, couldn't reach it and it touched his hand. We all know the rules."

Hear more from Dyche on BBC Sounds

On the transfer window: "We've been linked with so many players. We'll see."

Captain Morgan Gibbs-White: "It felt like we could have taken all three today. We dominated in the first half and we went one man down. It was Neco's natural instinct and he apologised to us all. It's not his fault.

"The gaffer said we have to stick together, run together and work as a team, to stay defensive and then go for the attack. We did that perfectly.

"We have to keep looking forward and that won't change but we have to be mindful."

Listen to Gibbs-White speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham

Did you know?

• Neco Williams' sending off was the first straight red card for handball in the Premier League by an outfield player since Chelsea's Reece James in August 2021 (against Liverpool). It was Nottingham Forest's third first-half dismissal in the competition after Steve Chettle against Blackburn in May 1999 and Willy Boly against Bournemouth in December 2023.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Forest's performance

What did you make of Crystal Palace's display?

Come back later on Sunday for a selection of your replies

Sean Dyche makes five changes from the Nottingham Forest starting XI that beat Ferencvaros 4-0 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Murillo, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ola Aina all return to start at the City Ground.

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels, Williams, Murillo, Sangare, Hudson-Odoi, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Dominguez, Igor Jesus, Milenkovic, Aina

Subs: Gunn, Morato, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Lucca, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Abbott

There are three changes to the Crystal Palace side that lost 3-1 to Chelsea last time out.

Jean-Philippe Mateta is not in the squad after Glasner confirmed on Friday the forward is "not in the right place" to feature, Adam Wharton is suspended and Jaydee Canvot drops to the bench.

Yeremy Pino, Wil Hughes and Chadi Riad all start.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Munoz, Mitchell, Lacroix, Sarr, Lerma, Pino, Johnson, Hughes, Richards, Riad

Subs: Matthews, Benitez, Uche, Clyne, Canvot, Rodney, Marsh

There are four games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Aston Villa v Brentford - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Manchester United v Fulham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Tottenham v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Brentford" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Man City", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

It's transfer deadline day tomorrow, with the window closing at 19:00 GMT.

How would you assess Nottingham Forest's window? Do you think any position needs more attention? If so, give us names of who should be brought in. And what about who needs to go?

Get in touch with your views here

Nottingham Forest 'Dyched' Brentford last week, and it really was a classic Sean Dyche performance.

They add new words to the Oxford English Dictionary every year and 'Dyched' should make it in for 2026.

'Dyched' means "well structured but dull" by the way - you can use it when a team is unadventurous but gets the job done.

I can see the same thing happening to Crystal Palace too.

Forest will move level on points with them if they win this. I hope I am wrong, but I do think Palace will end up in a relegation battle.

I do not like saying this about any manager, but they should sack Oliver Glasner - he is going at the end of the season anyway, and it feels like a lot of their players want away too.

Glasner has done a brilliant job, but the fact everyone knows he is going means they have to move on from him now - before things get worse. Being brutally honest, I do not see any upside to him staying on.

If he stays, they are going to end up getting sucked in by Leeds and West Ham, as well as Forest - although the way my predictions have been going this season, that probably means he will stay and steer them into Europe again.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here