Nottingham Forest

We asked for your views on Friday's game between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.

Here are some of your comments:

Nottingham Forest fans

Keith: Great start by Forest, really thought we would easily win. Credit to Sheffield United, after equalising they put us to the sword. The defence for Forest coped, but no disrespect to United, a better team would have made us pay. We obviously need to strengthen the midfield and defence. Why Ryan Yates does not start is a mystery.

Dave: Chris Wood did the business! I feel sorry for him as he gets a lot of stick because he didn't do much last season. To be fair, we had someone who can head the ball that well and we never crossed to his head at all last season when he played. I hope this will give him some confidence and he may be a useful player for us this season.

Claire: What impressed me most about the game was we went out attacking and didn’t give up. Last season we would have sat back and been happy for the draw, but not this season. We saw it last week at Arsenal and we showed it again against Sheffield United. The subs carried on and say all you want about Wood, but that’s twice now he’s made an impact.

Jamie: On the one hand, this would have been a game we would have drawn or possibly lost last season. On the other, we really have to learn how to kill games off, if only to take the pressure off of Taiwo and Chris. McKenna had a rough night, hopefully a blip, but there were a lot of positives, especially the three points against a pressing team.

Sheffield United fans

Colin: Much improved performance from the Palace game. With a bit more luck in their area we could have scored more. It's a bit worrying that both goals were scored from the centre of our defence. Still, it's only Man City next so we can expect at least a point from that game!

Michael: Blades deserved at least a draw and, with better finishing, could have taken all three. They still need three or four quality signings but they could surprise everyone and avoid relegation with that type of performance.

Paul: Cannot compete if you don’t invest in quality players. The kids on pitch for United are miles away from Premier league. Having said that, we were the better team in much of the second half. We lost two influencing players and had nothing to replace them. Man City up next!

Tony: Super effort by United. Cooper said Forest were far superior. That sort of delusion may cost them dearly.

Image source, BBC

Gary Lineker introduces highlights and analysis of Saturday's five fixtures from the 2023-24 Premier League seasob, plus goals from Friday's clash between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.

If you missed Match of the Day then fear not- you can catch up on the action on BBC iPlayer here

Nottingham Forest are ready to pay £15m for Botafogo striker Matheus Nascimento, but the 19-year-old Brazilian wants to delay a move until January to help his side win the Brazilian Serie A title. (Sun), external

Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal to sign Argentina right-back Gonzalo Montiel, 26, from Sevilla for £9m. (Mail), external

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

Marissa Thomas, BBC Sport

Eight of Nottingham Forest's nine Premier League wins last season came at the City Ground and it could be more of the same this campaign.

Chris Wood came off the bench, and scored six minutes later, to save Forest when a draw looked like the most likely outcome.

Wood replaced goal scorer Taiwo Awoniyi and performed a very similar role, highlighted the interchangeable nature of the forwards.

Serge Aurier was at the heart of this Forest victory, providing two inch-perfect crosses for the forwards to head home.

He assisted two goals in a single game for the second time in his career – the previous instance was for Tottenham Hotspur in May 2021, also against Sheffield United.

Next up for Forest is a trip to Old Trafford. If they want to remain in the league again this term, they will need to pick up a lot more points on the road.

Chris Wood headed home the winner for Nottingham Forest in the 89th minute against Sheffield United for their first Premier League win of the season.

Wood, who had come on as a substitute, flicked a header past United keeper Wes Foderingham to send the City Ground crowd wild.

Gustavo Hamer scored a stunner on his Sheffield United debut to give the newly promoted side hope early in the second half.

Hamer, who signed from Coventry City last Friday, struck into the top corner from the edge of the box for his first goal for his new club.

United were significantly improved after going 1-0 down early on and equalised just two minutes and eight seconds after the restart.

Taiwo Awoniyi had opened the scoring for Forest with two minutes and 23 seconds on the clock.

Were you at the match or did you follow it from home?

Nottingham Forest fans - let us know your thoughts on the game here

How did you rate the side's performance, Sheffield United fans?

Follow all the reaction here

Chris Sutton will be making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of rivals. Next up is DJ, producer and Newcastle fan Anish Kumar.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Nottingham Forest's home record was decent last season - it had to be, to keep them up. They picked up 30 of their total of 38 points at the City Ground, which was the 10th-best total in the top flight.

Forest will need more of the same on their own turf this time around. I do see them winning this one for starters, but that's got a lot to do with how Sheffield United are shaping up.

Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom has got a heck of a job on his hands to beat the drop after losing his best players this summer without replacements arriving.

Palace were much better than Sheffield United last week, and Forest could run out comfortable winners too.

Steve Cooper's side showed a bit of spirit against Arsenal in their first game, and he has plenty of options in attack, which is always a good problem to have.

Anish's prediction: Sheffield United don't look in a great place after their transfer dealings before the season, and Forest have great home support so I'm going with them on this one. Morgan Gibbs-White was incredible for England Under-21s this summer and hopefully he can take that form into the Premier League. 2-0

Find out what Sutton and Anish predicted for the rest of the weekend's action here

Image source, Getty Images

Nottingham Forest have announced that Gustavo Scarpa has joined Olympiakos on a season-long loan deal.

The 29-year-old midfielder made 10 appearances for Forest last season after joining from Palmerias in January.

The Brazilian will spend 2023-24 with the Greek side and they are currently playing in the Europa League.

Image source, Getty Images

Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport

Steve Cooper said yesterday that Taiwo Awoniyi is “very close” to starting for Nottingham Forest – and how he must hope his leading marksman will be fit enough to play this evening against Sheffield United.

Signed in June 2022 for £17m, the Nigeria striker took just 11 minutes after coming off the bench against Arsenal on opening Saturday to remind fans of his goalscoring prowess with the type of sharp finish he made his trademark last season.

The goal was classic Awoniyi, racing across Ben White to slam home Anthony Elanga’s square pass, with his physicality and movement giving the Gunners a whole new set of problems.

The 26-year-old scored on his second appearance last season but really found his stride during the run-in, bagging six goals in four games and cementing himself as Forest’s premier striker.

In fact, during the entire 2022-23 season, his stats dominated his team-mates, netting every 141 minutes, which was on pace for 24 goals over the whole campaign had he played in every game.

His shot conversion rate was excellent too, scoring with 29% of his efforts, the second best behind Erling Haaland of all forwards who managed six or more Premier League goals.

All this when fit of course. He missed nine games with a groin problem last year.

When available, he’s proved himself to be a Premier League force.

The sight of their burly number nine lining up this evening would be a huge boost as Forest look to get their second season in the top flight up and running.

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Image source, Getty Images

Anthony Elanga feels it would be "amazing" if he can use his experiences from Manchester United to help Nottingham Forest progress this season.

The young forward made an instant impact by coming off the bench to assist on his debut for the Reds in their narrow defeat to Arsenal at the weekend.

Elanga believes with the players the club now have, they will be able to push more teams close in the league.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, the 21-year-old said: "It's an historical club in itself and the coach, the staff here and the players they have - young, hungry and ambitious players wanting to win wanting to get better, wanting to elevate their own game.

"I feel like that could just help Forest to where they deserve to be. I feel like this season we could really show teams who we are and what we're capable of doing."

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Elanga, a Manchester United academy graduate, is hoping his time spent playing alongside players like Cristiano Ronaldo can help his new side.

"You look at what some of those [United] players have won in the past and you'd be silly not to take advice from them. But, I always tried to listen and take as much advice as I could from the players that were there, bring it here, bring some of that experience with me of playing against teams in big European competitions," he added.

"I just tried to learn as much as I could and if I can bring that here and try and help this team even one percent, that would be amazing for me. I am just ready to do that this season."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall tells Football Focus about his football memories growing up and his dream to play for his boyhood club.

Watch Football Focus on Saturday 19 August at 12:00 BST on BBC One, iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app.

Image source, Getty Images

Ola Aina will play "wherever" on the pitch if it means he can be involved and help the team.

The 26-year-old, who was Nottingham Forest's first signing of the summer when he joined from Torino, felt there were positives to take from their 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in their first game of the new campaign.

Speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham's Shut Up And Show More Football podcast, the defender said: "Everyone has worked hard in pre-season and they worked hard last season as well, so lots of positives from that game that we can compete. Hopefully we can do that for the rest of the season.

"A shame we couldn't get something out of the game, maybe we left it too late, but it shows that we can compete and we showed that in glimpses on Saturday against a top side. If we continue to do that throughout the season we definitely can get results and hopefully do well in this campaign."

Aina took up a position on the left side of the defence at the Emirates despite preferring to play on the right, but insisted this wasn't an issue adding: "I'm happy to play wherever, I just want to play and enjoy my football. If the gaffer wants to play me up top one day I wouldn't mind, as long as I'm on the pitch playing, so I don't mind where.

"I do work hard, try and give it 100% all the time and leave everything on the pitch. Have fun and just enjoy it."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Chelsea have added Nottingham Forest and Wales forward Brennan Johnson to their list of attacking targets and have held initial talks with the 22-year-old. (Guardian), external

Forest have set an asking price of £40m for Johnson, with Tottenham and Brentford also considering a move for the attacker before the window closes. (Independent), external

Forest have also made a 35m euro (£29.8m) verbal offer for Monaco's 24-year-old France midfielder, Youssouf Fofana. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

Joe Bradshaw, BBC Sport

Steve Cooper has been speaking to the media before Nottingham Forest's visit to Sheffield United on Friday.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Taiwo Awoniyi and Moussa Niakhate edge closer to making the starting XI: "Both have played some minutes in different forms. Taiwo came on at Arsenal which as a slight risk but he made the team better. Moussa played 45 minutes for the under-21s the other night so sooner or later they will be available to start."

• Cooper was impressed with Anthony Elanga's goal-making appearance off the bench: "He is that bit younger and so if he has an impact initially then it's fantastic but we are looking forward to him fulfilling his potential. He is very popular already, a very happy soul and really enjoys training. The moment last week was great for his momentum and confidence."

• He is unsure if any new players will arrive this month: "We are all working hard together to try to do that and if we can, then great. If it doesn't happen, it will not be for the lack of trying but we believe in the guys we already have."

• He is excited about returning to the City Ground: "The club have invested in a new pitch so we trained today. I can't wait to play there. There is nothing like being at home, in our stadium with the atmosphere created. We will give everything to try and get a good performance."

• On the importance of home form: "We need to improve our away form this season, especially the points we take. But we want good points at home too and if we assume we will definitely do that, then we will get smashed in the face. We start from scratch in every game and won't take anything for granted."

• On Sheffield United, who they beat in the play-offs in the 2021-22 Championship season: "They were big games and really tight affairs. Fair play to them for bouncing back from that with automatic promotion. We know how hard that is and they deserve a lot of credit. They come up with momentum and have a core that have been there a while. Every Premier League team is full of strengths so we will be ready for that."

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Colin Fray, BBC Radio Nottingham

Nottingham Forest’s opening game of the season was notable for a few things - once they'd finally got under way following the ticketing issues.

It was notable that in the first half, a few of Forest's problems against the leading sides re-emerged, as Arsenal dominated possession and took full advantage of defensive slips.

But it was also notable for the difference in how the game played out from there, compared with last season's Emirates visit.

Rather than capitulating, Forest stayed in the game, and it was notable how the game changed when Taiwo Awoniyi, who'd been struggling with a knock in pre-season, and new signing Anthony Elanga came off the bench.

Much excitement from Forest fans on seeing the way their goal was created - and rightly so.

Perhaps, though, the day was most notable for Steve Cooper's strong call post-match for new signings before the transfer deadline. He made the point that only Elanga is an "addition", with Matt Turner and Ola Aina replacements for players who have left.

To paraphrase: if we want to improve, in my opinion, we need to strengthen.

Financial Fair Play means that might not be easy - a tough decision may need to be taken with, say, Brennan Johnson, to fund signings.

But given Cooper's track record, his burning desire to make Forest better - and the two seasons of proof of doing just that on the pitch - you would like to think those involved in making signings at Forest will heed the words of their head coach.

• This is the first Premier League meeting between Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United since May 1993.

• Forest have lost just one of their past 13 home league games against the Blades (W7 D5, all in the second tier), going down 1-0 in December 2008.

• United have won their first away league game in just one of the past 17 seasons (D5 L11) and are winless in their past 11, since beating Oldham 2-0 in 2011-12.

• Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi has scored in his past five Premier League games. The only Reds player to score in six in a row in the competition is Stan Collymore, who did so in March-April 1995.

• Despite only coming on for the final 10 minutes of their defeat by Arsenal, Anthony Elanga created more chances than any other player for Nottingham Forest (two).

• Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom has won both of his away games against Nottingham Forest - 1-0 with Barnsley in the Championship January 2017 and 2-1 with the Blades in May 2022 (Championship play-offs).

Pat Riddell, The Famous Club, external

Everybody hates losing. It can ruin a weekend. It makes fans irrational. And it leads to staring at the league table for far too long.

But losing, of course, is part of sport. And, as many forget, you can afford to lose half of your games in the Premier League and still comfortably survive.

Not that anybody wants to lose 19 matches. It's just that any club in the bottom half of the table is likely to lose at least 15 of their 38 fixtures.

Forest lost 18 games last season, which was fewer than the three clubs that finished above them. Where we'd hope to improve, this season at least, is converting a couple of those losses into draws. And a few of those draws into wins.

What's important, though, is that you learn something from losing. Sometimes more than you learn from winning.

What did we learn on Saturday?

That rather than being rolled over 5-0 again by Arsenal, we concluded a narrow defeat with a spark in our eye.

That having a fully fit Taiwo Awoniyi is key to this side performing, particularly against the top clubs.

That Steve Cooper always - always - has a gameplan, and if you give him the tools then he will succeed.

And that maybe, just maybe, losing this season might not be so painful.

Nottingham Forest have re-established a working arrangement with George Syrianos, the club's former head of recruitment. (Athletic - subscription required), external

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

We asked for your views on Saturday's game between Arsenal and Nottingham Forest.

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Peter: Arsenal made very hard work of beating a very determined but inferior side in Forest. Not quite sure why Gabriel was left out of the side? I thought Havertz went missing on occasions. Not sure Arteta knows his best first eleven.

Rob: Promising display from new signings - hope Timber's injury is not too bad. Two great goals but old problems still there - not ruthless enough in killing off opponents, a defensive lapse leading to a goal conceded and a nervy final few minutes.

Mike: Good first half, had them on the ropes but let the tempo of the game die and they came back. We need to be consistent in fast-paced football and killing off the opposition. Arteta will be happy with points in the bag but will have questions over the second half performance.

Aman: Overall not good enough yet. Forest opened them up at times and with the defensive players Arsenal have the standard should be better. Trossard makes a real difference when he comes on. Overall they need to get a bit better. A bit more of a stern stance is needed.

Nottingham Forest fans

John: Plenty of positives in what was always going to be a tough game. System of play and defence was pretty solid. Nowhere near as many sloppy individual errors that plagued us last year. Limited Arsenal to only a few clear chances and goals via brilliant touches that would have undone any team. Very dynamic in the last 10. New signings all look good!

Jamie: An improvement on last season’s visit to Arsenal, but until Awoyini came on the pitch we never looked like creating much. McKenna does the basics well, but the unnecessary shirt pulling and pushing will come back to haunt us unless he works on removing that from his game. The three new players looked like very good business.

Dave: For a first game we seemed slow to start but showed with a fit team we can have a go, we just still need a couple more players. Possession doesn't win games and we will do better this year.

Sam: Forest looked much better defensively today when compared to this time last year, despite conceding the two goals. Awoniyi and Elanga both looked very promising going forward and showed a glimpse of what could be. Matt Turner looks to be a great addition, however the midfield needs more energy and creativity!