Nottingham Forest

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

Here are some of your comments:

Forest fans

Gary: It hasn't clicked at home for Forest yet but it will soon. Munoz doesn't look, at the moment, like the attacking threat that he was at Crystal Palace, so there's more to come there. Hudson-Odoi's return would be a welcome boost. Then the goals will come.

Andrew: Can Forest play all of their games away this season? And they want to increase the size of the stadium to 52,000. Most fortresses are made of stone or brick. This one is made of straw.

Graham: There will be plenty more of that to come. We are now in 12th, which is about as high as Glasner gets. The tactics are not working and there was no plan B. We were too slow out at the back and showed no fight. Subs were too late - we were losing, and he brought on a defender.

Martin: Lacklustre display by Forest. Too slow in the build-up, passing was way off it and devoid of any ideas going forward. More of this and we will be challenging Tottenham for the bottom spot.

Coventry fans

George: Just what we needed - grit, determination, a moment of quality, and a little luck! Feel-good factor will be back for the next three weeks while training fine-tunes some of the new-look tactics. Can't wait for Newcastle next.

AJ: So proud. Those players have embodied the Sky Blue never-say-die attitude and grabbed a win when everybody had written them off. We'll beat a few more this season that can't match Coventry's heart and desire.

Lee: Unbelievable! For Jay to get our first goal in the top flight since 2001 is incredible! A great display from all the defensive line and congratulations Mfuni for a great Premier League debut.

Stuart: Terrific belief and team effort, with what would not have been the starting XI had things gone differently the previous week. Confidence is key. Goal and a clean sheet is a good day's work.

Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White is being targeted by Tottenham in a possible £125m January move for after nearly signing the midfielder during the 2025 summer transfer window. (Football Insider), external

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

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Timothy Abraham
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There will be plenty to ponder for Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner after this result.

Forest have failed to score in their first three home games in a league campaign for the first time in their history.

Their expected goals (xG) in this match was 1.15 compared with Coventry's 0.67, but in their first meeting in the Premier League since 1999 they were left to rue their wastefulness.

Forest's 24 shots today were their second most in a Premier League match since they returned to the top flight in 2022.

Similarly, only Pascal Gross (15) has created more chances in the league this season than Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White (14).

There was a clear lack of cutting edge, which meant much of this creativity was in vain.

Delap, a £45m signing from Chelsea, was supposed to provide some ruthlessness, but none of his four shots were on target and Coventry largely kept him quiet.

Last season Forest won just four of their 19 home games and were among the fourth-worst in terms of goals scored on home turf.

Glasner identified this as a clear area for improvement at the start of his tenure, but this result was a stark reminder that there is still work to do.

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner, speaking to BBC Match of the Day on his thoughts on the loss: "Frustrated, disappointed.

"We wanted three points and the players gave everything until the end but we made one big mistake, one big ball from the goalkeeper.

"We knew he had a very big strike and we got punished. We tried everything until the end but we have to blame ourselves. It's the third home game without a goal and that makes it difficult to win.

"We have to find a solution, today was the first time I could feel the heaviness of the past, it was very quiet in the dressing room. When we conceded the goal, everyone was nervous, the entire City Ground was nervous and I think this is the reason of last year.

"There is nobody to blame, the solution is to play with more freedom and more confidence."

On the VAR decision: "Of course I have thoughts but I don't want to speak about it again.

"We had this big discussion after Tottenham, referee decided and we accept it, that's it."

Listen to Glasner speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham here

Did you know?

• Nottingham Forest have failed to score in their first three home games in a league campaign for the first time in their history.

• Among ever present sides since the start of last season, only Tottenham have won fewer home games (three) and earned fewer home points (16) in the Premier League than Nottingham Forest (four wins, 21 points).

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

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

What did you make of Coventry's display?

Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

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

• Tottenham v Aston Villa (12:30)

• Brighton v Arsenal - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Everton v Ipswich

• Newcastle v Hull City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Coventry (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

How to follow the Premier League weekend across the BBC

You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Brighton v Arsenal" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Newcastle match", for example.

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Coventry were served up a couple of shockers by getting Arsenal and Manchester City as their first two away fixtures, and this trip is far from easy for them either.

In fact, this is another stinker of a game for Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard, because they are still struggling while Oliver Glasner seems to be getting Nottingham Forest going after a slow burner of a start.

There is a strong chance Coventry's confidence has been sapped already so Lampard will be trying to rally the troops and give his players some belief they can compete at this level.

That is going to be really difficult because they must be looking at the results of the other promoted teams and not just thinking about where a win is coming from for them but also where a point is coming from and where a goal is coming from too.

I don't think they will get any of those things this week, because Forest are looking pretty solid.

Well done to Forest striker Liam Delap, who got his first goal for them in last week's win at Aston Villa.

He had a tough time at Chelsea, and I know what that is like, so it is great to see him off the mark for his new club.

By the way, Delap scored one league goal for Chelsea - same as me - but his price went up by £20m, from £30m to £50m. My value went down by almost 50% when I left Stamford Bridge - from £10m to £6m - so what has gone on there?

Seriously, though, sometimes you need a change of scene to find your form again and Delap must be feeling a bit freer now he has his first Forest goal.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Nottingham Forest earned their first win of the season last weekend and now face a bottom-of-the-table Coventry City side yet to score or avoid defeat since their return to the Premier League.

It's the first top-flight meeting between the clubs since a 4-0 home win for the Sky Blues in January 1999.

Forest must address home truths

Nottingham Forest answered Oliver Glasner's call to find the "final bit missing" when they deservedly beat Aston Villa last weekend. Head coach Glasner was referring to his team's goalscoring issues but it could just as easily apply to their troublesome home form.

So far this season at the City Ground, Forest have lost twice to Leeds United – including in the Carabao Cup – and drawn with Spurs. They failed to score in any of those games and seldom threatened to do so, registering a combined seven shots on target.

It's the continuation of an issue which dates back to last year; their only home league victory in 13 attempts since Christmas came against soon-to-be-relegated Burnley in April.

Only Tottenham have earned fewer points at home among Premier League ever-present sides during that time, while Forest are the lowest scorers in front of their own fans.

Hope remains for Coventry

The momentum of a Championship title-winning campaign has swiftly dissipated for Coventry, who are yet to earn a point since returning to the Premier League and made a midweek exit from the EFL Cup.

After 97 league goals last season, they have none after four top-flight games; Mustapha Hadji remains the last Coventry player to score a Premier League goal, on 5 May 2001.

This is the first time since their debut 1919-20 campaign that Coventry have lost their opening four league fixtures in a season, while they are only the fifth side in English top-flight history to do so without scoring. The Sky Blues are creating chances, though, and have an expected goals tally of 4.2.

Perhaps not enough of those opportunities are falling to the right players. Coventry have had 41 attempts on goal in the Premier League but only nine were by centre-forwards, rising to 23 – a modest 56% – when incorporating all attacking players. Surprisingly, six clubs have a lower percentage but only Coventry have a defender with his side's most goal attempts – Bobby Thomas, with nine.

Despite Coventry's current travails, history offers them hope: eight of the previous 18 teams to start a Premier League season with four straight defeats managed to stay up.

And Frank Lampard's side can take inspiration from the fact Crystal Palace lost their opening seven games without scoring in 2017-18 but rallied to finish 11th.

Image source, Getty Images

"I'm still scratching my head about why he isn't in that squad regularly at the moment," said BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Fray after finding out that Morgan Gibbs-White had once again missed out on a place in the England squad.

Thomas Tuchel said the Nottingham Forest player was not included in his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures because "it does not make sense" to pick any more number 10s.

But Gibbs-White, who scored 15 goals and registered four assists last season, has accumulated more goal involvements than any other English midfielder this calendar year.

He has also already netted one goal and contributed two assists in Nottingham Forest's opening four games of the 2026-27 campaign.

On how close the 26-year-old was to being selected, Tuchel said: "It was close, but it is always the case. It makes no sense to nominate four or five number 10s. It just doesn't help anyone.

"We can see the form he is in. He ended last season very strongly, he was a key player in Nottingham Forest avoiding relegation, and we can see him stepping up now.

"It is one thing to be nominated, like Cole Palmer getting his ticket back into the squad, but it is another thing to perform for England - and that also counts."

Speaking on the Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, Fray said: "He can't do much more to get into the England squad, but was I entirely surprised by the decision? No, not really.

"Tuchel knew the form he was in at the end of last season and he still didn't take him to the World Cup.

"His numbers for 2026 are unparalleled by an English player. I also believe, as a midfielder, he is leading the way in terms of goals and assists this calendar year across Europe's top five leagues.

"He is doing everything he can, so I think it says a lot about their relationship.

"Tuchel said he didn't want to pick four or five number 10s, which I get, but who are the ones in the best form? Gibbs-White is indisputably at the top of every list right now, so you just cannot make that argument, in my opinion."

Listen to the full Gibbs-White conversation and catch up on the City Ground redevelopment plans below or listen on BBC Sounds

Explore all Nottingham Forest content on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on the news that Nottingham Forest have been given the green light for a major expansion of the City Ground.

Here are some of your comments:

Sharon: This sounds a very positive thing that will bring Forest forward with them now still being in the Premier League. We hope that we can stay there from now on and keep performing better each season. It has been needing an upgrade for some time and it's nice to see it's going to happen. Can't wait to see what it's going to turn out like - bring on the future for Nottingham Forest!

Roger: After the old Main Stand is replaced, Forest should focus on rebuilding the present Bridgford Stand - now renamed in memory of John Robertson. It's a a very poor structure and offers very little in the way of facilities.

John: The council has put some significant barriers in place before work can commence - planning again inhibits getting work completed in this country.

Gary: Great news. It's great for the club and the city. Nottingham will become the Melbourne of the northern hemisphere and a hub of sport and sporting excellence.

Neil: A new pedestrian bridge? Is that an admission that the beautiful pedestrian bridge which opened in the summer that connects nothing to nothing was put in the wrong place? Whatever, get digging and let's get this stadium into the 21st Century.

Dan: The plans are great to see and it shows the owners ambition for growth and to be the best.

Ella Gibbs
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Coventry City at the City Ground (kick-off 17:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Nikola Milenkovic will miss the game, while fellow defender Jair Cunha trained on Thursday and "looks OK", though Glasner added that it was a "very light session".

• Glasner described planning approval for the development of the City Ground as "great news for the club, the city and the supporters".

• Asked if he expected to still be at the club when the works are complete, he said: "I never think about leaving. You don't start a relationship and think about when you can leave. It makes no sense. I'm always thinking mid- and long-term. If somebody asks me how I see things, I always try to look a little bit outside of football."

• On last weekend's win at Aston Villa: "It was good out of possession but it was maximum OK in possession and I would say below average in possession in the first half. Of course, when you win and when you show a good performance it helps in getting more and more belief, getting more and more confidence."

• On Morgan Gibbs-White and whether he should receive an England call-up having missed out on the World Cup squad: "I think he showed maximum effort, commitment and good performances. It's Thomas Tuchel's decision."

• Glasner said he spent some time with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis: "Sometimes you are emotional during a game, this is what I talked about to him, because he's also quite emotional. I don't talk to the players after the game. It makes no sense - because then maybe you regret it the following day."

• The Austrian said Saturday's opponents Coventry, who are yet to register a point or score a goal in the league, will pose "the same challenges we have faced and will face in every Premier League game". He added: "They are a good team with a fantastic manager. They played a great Championship season. They had quite a tough schedule at the beginning [of this season]."

• On the upcoming international break: "We decided to give the players the first week off. It's quite difficult to keep the motivation high when you know there is no competitive game in the mid-season. Then, in the second week, we will start having a normal training week with a friendly game on Saturday. Then, in the third week, hopefully all internationals will come back well without any injuries. Then we prepare for Crystal Palace."

Hit play above to hear more from Glasner, talking to BBC Radio Nottingham, or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to full commentary of Nottingham Forest v Coventry on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds

All the key lines from Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Got a question about Forest? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have been given the green light for a major expansion of the City Ground.

The club plans to increase the ground's capacity from 31,000 to 52,500 in two stages, which will come at an estimated cost of £790m.

The proposals were approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee on Wednesday.

Subject to a range of conditions, planning permission has been granted to demolish and replace the Peter Taylor Stand and redevelop the Trent End, while outline planning permission has been granted to redevelop the Brian Clough Stand.

In addition, the redevelopment will include a new public plaza and restaurant, as well as improved conferencing, media and back-of-house facilities.

Owner Evangelos Marinakis has invested heavily in the playing squad in recent seasons, helping Forest rise from the Championship to the Premier League and into European competition, and now plans to redevelop the City Ground are progressing.

How do you feel about the stadium news? Is this a demonstration of Forest's ambition? Is there anything you would have prioritised over the stadium expansion?

Get in touch with your views

Listen to the clip below as the BBC's Hugh Casswell gives the latest on the expansion plans and explains the obstacles still to be overcome.

Tottenham remain interested in Nottingham Forest midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White, having previously tried to sign the 26-year-old in summer 2025, but the Reds have no intention of selling. (Teamtalk, external)

Meanwhile, AC Milan's option to turn Omari Hutchinson's loan move from Nottingham Forest into a permanent switch is close to 50m euros (£42.8m). (Calciomercato - in Italian, external)

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Dale Johnson
Football issues correspondent

Image source, Getty Images

Referees' chief Howard Webb has insisted there was "conclusive" evidence to disallow Nottingham Forest's goal against Tottenham Hotspur for handball by Neco Williams.

The Forest defender bundled the ball home in the 67th minute but video assistant referee Peter Bankes stepped in to rule out the goal for accidental handball.

It was a controversial incident with Williams and Forest manager Oliver Glasner adamant after the 0-0 draw that there was no proof the ball touched an arm.

"I've seen the images and the replays and at not one moment did I think I handballed it," Williams told Sky Sports.

But running through the incident on Match Officials Mic'd Up, Webb backed the decision to disallow the goal.

"This is not about clear and obvious. It's about a matter of fact," said Webb.

"The VAR looks at it, initially you can hear that he's not conclusive. He doesn't feel it's quite there.

"But then when he slows it down to an appropriate pace and gets the right angle, you can see that the ball clearly and conclusively hits the right arm. You see the sleeve move.

"It's clear. It's conclusive, and the goal has to be disallowed.

"Harsh on Neco Williams, but the officials have no choice."

Greig Watson
East Midlands

Image source, Getty Images

A Nottingham Forest supporters' group has written an open letter asking councillors to back expansion plans for its stadium, saying "it is the City Ground's time".

Rushcliffe Borough Council's planning committee will meet on Wednesday to consider applications from the club on proposed changes to the ground.

In June last year, the committee granted full planning permission to increase its overall capacity to 35,000, followed in January by the club submitting another set of applications to take the capacity to more than 50,000.

The Nottingham Forest Supporters' Trust (NFST) urged the authority not to let concerns over transport and supporter movement on matchdays further delay the project.

The applications consist of a bid for full planning permission to redevelop the Peter Taylor Stand and Trent End, as well as for "demolition of existing buildings/structures", and outline planning permission to redevelop the Brian Clough Stand.

Rushcliffe's planning officers have recommended councillors on the committee approve the applications, subject to conditions.

It comes days after MPs in Nottingham issued a joint statement backing development of the stadium.

The trust's letter to the committee calls Wednesday's vote a "historic opportunity for our region", adding the message was "clear and overwhelming" from fans in their support of the proposals.

Asif Naidu, NFST chair, said: "Wednesday is a historic opportunity to secure the future of our historic home. We simply have to grasp it.

"The case for approval is incredibly strong. It has clear and widespread support across the region, the club has outgrown the current ground and it is a golden and rare investment opportunity.

"Any concerns over transport and supporter flow, while understandable, can be resolved and are manageable, so they shouldn't be a barrier to giving the project the go-ahead.

"It is the City Ground's time. Let's make history on Wednesday."

Nottingham Forest will sign Shamrock Rovers striker Michael Noonan, 18, for training compensation in January. (Irish Mirror), external

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

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest striker Liam Delap, who scored his first goal since his £50m summer move to the club, has been speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham after helping the Reds secure their first victory at Aston Villa in 32 years.

The 23-year-old's clinical finish - his first competitive goal since January - and Igor Jesus' 88th-minute winner also sealed Oliver Glasner's first win of the season as head coach.

"I'm buzzing," Delap said. "We showed last week and the week before that we can compete with anyone, but we didn't get the points we deserved.

"We showed we knew where to hurt them in the first half, but we actually executed it in the second half by putting all of our strengths together.

"I still think there is probably more to come. We could have even got a few more goals against Aston Villa, but we are really happy with the win."

• Find more from Delap's chat on BBC Sounds here

Jair Cunha was a notable miss for Saturday's trip to Villa Park - and it has since been revealed he is dealing with a minor hamstring injury.

The centre-back, who has carved out a starting position this season, received a first senior call-up to the Brazil national team last week.

"It is a great opportunity for him," said former Reds midfielder Steve Hodge. "He has only played about 50 games in his senior career so far and now he has been called up by Brazil. Hopefully he can get one or two caps and show what he's worth.

"I've always felt that he can pass a ball nicely, he is calm under pressure and he has made a good impression in a quiet way at Nottingham Forest.

"Clearly the Brazil hierarchy want to have a look at him. The Copa America is two years away and the World Cup four years away, so it is a great time for him to go in and make his mark."

Listen to the full discussion by pressing play below or on BBC Sounds here

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

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Rob: Disappointing second-half performance cost us but, based on chances created, Forest deserved their win. That said, a two-footed challenge on Maatsen when both the player's feet were off the ground as he dived in has to be a straight red so I expect we will get another ProRef apology in the coming days, though a point would have been papering over the cracks. Desperate to get to the international break so that Emery can get to work with a full squad, though with two more injured after this one that looks like a distant dream. Poor from Buendia and Tammy - the rest gave their all and our young attacking trio of Mbaye, Manzambi and Alysson gives us hope.

Pammy: Unai will get the time to brainwash the newbies ready to join his 'cult' but they need to learn fast because four games in and it ain't looking good. Crazy to say, but the Spurs game could define our season!

Andy: It's not often that Villa fans criticise Unai - and rightly so... he's been amazing for four seasons. However, many think he's being too conservative and system-based. The subs and timing of them were a bit baffling against Forest - manager's error of judgement maybe. Go on Unai... take us on a crazy winning streak (again), the bad start to the season will be forgotten (again) and people will stop doubting (AGAIN)!

Chay: I feel Emery needs to start all of the new signings at this point. It's clear that the half that stayed from last season are not up to it any more and we need to freshen up our tactics to compensate this.

Forest fans

Daniel: Superb away performance from Forest, especially in the second half. Oli G's tactics suit our players, especially with Delap up top being a real menace. The goal he scored was top drawer - reminds me of a certain Stan Colllymore!

Luke: That's as good a performance as I've seen from Forest in a very long time. It's encouraging to see the Glasner blueprint coming together, and all the summer signings played a big part in this win. Still very early days but this is a great platform to build from.

Simon: Confidence in the new style of play is building. We've lost Elliot Anderson but ended up with an all-round stronger squad. I mischievously suggested Forest could make the top four - but I'm actually only half joking.

Kris: A win at Villa is as rare as an eclipse and to see it happen in such convincing fashion was better still. Schlager and McAtee were sublime, Diomande an absolute rock and Munoz has started to show why we paid £22m for a 30-year-old. Saturday was about Delap, though - what a finish and his all-round play was too much for Villa to handle.