Nottingham Forest | 2022/23 Season

[Amjid Javed]

Well done Jon Moss and Paul Tierney for their man of match performances in getting Forrest promoted.

Big play off final and FA reward the worst two Refs they have in such a big game.

both penalty decisions were a disgrace yesterday.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Well done Jon Moss and Paul Tierney for their man of match performances in getting Forrest promoted.

Big play off final and FA reward the worst two Refs they have in such a big game.

both penalty decisions were a disgrace yesterday.

Moss has business in Leeds..

 

[Amjid Javed]

Moss has business in Leeds..

He had no business officiating yesterdays game, hes been rubbish all season and FA rewarded incompetence by giving this clown such a big game. Both penalty decisions were stonewall. Add to that the new king clown referee Paul tierney doing VAR.

It was obvious the FA wanted notts Forrest to win yesterday.

 

[finalfantasy7]

I've always felt Forrest are a club that woulf be appealing to investors.

They have an incredible history and catapulting them back into the big time would be a tantalising prospect.

you cant buy a club for its history 40+yrs a ago - that makes no sense, with that logic someone buy prest north end

 

[James]

<b>Taiwo Awoniyi: Nottingham Forest sign Nigeria forward from Union Berlin for club-record fee</b>

Nottingham Forest have signed Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi from Union Berlin for a club record fee.

The 24-year-old joins newly promoted Forest on a five-year deal for a reported £17m.

Awoniyi scored 20 goals in 43 games across all competitions last season and becomes Forest's first signing since gaining promotion back to the Premier League.

"It's always been my dream to play in the Premier League," said Awoniyi.

"Having spoken to [Forest boss] Steve Cooper about our ambitions and looking at Forest, with its great history, it's a club that I want to be part of."

After a season-long loan, Awoniyi joined Union Berlin on a permanent deal in July 2021 from Liverpool, where he started his career.

He did not make any first team appearances for Liverpool after signing for the club in 2015 and spent the majority of his six years with the Merseyside side out on loan.

Forest manager Cooper said Awoniyi was a player the club had been monitoring closely over the past few months.

"There's been a lot of interest of Taiwo from other Premier League clubs, and other clubs across Europe, so we're delighted he's chosen Nottingham Forest," Cooper said.

"He's a player who we really believe in and we look forward to him going on to fulfil his potential and become a top Premier League striker with Nottingham Forest."

Scoring 15 goals in 31 league games, Awoniyi was the Bundesliga's sixth highest scorer last season and helped Union Berlin to a fifth-place finish which guarantees the club Europa League football for the first time since the 2001-02 season.

Since making his senior debut for Nigeria in October, the striker has made four appearances and scored his first goal for his nation against Sudan in January at the Africa Cup of Nations.

<b>Additional news:
Forest are expected to sign goalkeeper Dean Henderson, 25, on loan from Manchester United this summer and are also in talks to sign central defender Moussa Niakhate, 26, from Mainz.</b>

BBC

 

[James]

Forest been very active in the transfer window thus far. Showing clear intent to make their stay in the Premier League a lengthy one.

 

[MenInG]

Richards set for Forest medical - The Athletic

The Athletic's David Ornstein reports Bayern Munich left-back Omar Richards is set for a medical ahead of signing for Nottingham Forest.

 

[MenInG]

Richards joins Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have secured the signing of left-back Omar Richards from Bayern Munich.

The former England Under-21s defender has signed a four-year deal with the newly-promoted club, who have now made five summer signings since heading back to the top-flight.

 

[James]

<b>Nottingham Forest: Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey signs two-year contract</b>

Wales international Wayne Hennessey has signed a two-year contract at Premier League newcomers Nottingham Forest.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper joins from relegated Burnley after making just three appearances last season.

He remains first choice for Wales, however, keeping a clean sheet in their 1-0 World Cup play-off victory over Ukraine.

"It's a very exciting time to come on board and I can't wait to get involved," said Hennessey.

"It's a fantastic club. There's a great fanbase and the atmosphere at The City Ground is up there with the best in the game.

"It'll be a different level now that we're back in the Premier League."

Hennessey, who has played 103 times for Wales and is the country's third most capped player, started at Wolves before completing a £3m switch to Crystal Palace in 2014.

He played 132 times for the Eagles over seven seasons but moved to Burnley on a free transfer last July, signing a two-year deal.

"Wayne is an excellent goalkeeper who has proven himself at the highest level over many years," said Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper.

Forest have also confirmed that club captain Lewis Grabban has left after his contract ended.

The 34-year-old striker, who joined from Bournemouth in 2018, scored 55 goals in 147 appearances.

 

[finalfantasy7]

I'm very suprised how good Forest have been in this transfer window, wasnt expecting them to purchase 3 players above £15m.

Good on them , However they will need a Midfielder who can pass the ball very well players like:

Lucas Simon Pierre Tousart, Adam Maher, Sondre Buskerud Tronstad, Joshua Jon Cullen, Amadou Onana, Baptiste Santamaría, Cheick Oumar Doucouré, Almoatasembellah Ali Mohamed Al musrati, Digbo G'nampa Habib Maïga, Maximilian Eggestein, Salih Özcan, Arne Maier, Niklas Bernd Dorsch, Unai Vencedor París, Martín Zubimendi Ibáñez, Keidi Bare, Yangel Clemente Herrera Ravelo, Manuel Morlanes Ariño, Luis Milla Manzanares, Yan Brice Eteki, Jose Luís García Vayá, Gonzalo Villar del Fraile, Francisco José Beltrán Peinado, Lucas Torró Marset, Santiago Comesaña Veiga =All players can be bought for under £15m

Or older player like pjanic, Witsel

Or even Corentin Tolisso - free agent,

 

[finalfantasy7]

some interesting free agents for notts to see if they can get:

James Tarkowski - burnley
Andrea Belotti Torino
Mbemba (Porto)
Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenhein)
Jason Denayer (Lyon)
Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad)
Serge Aurier (Villarreal)
Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus)
Isco (Real Madrid)
Cristian Pavon (Boca)
David Ospina (Napoli) - would have signed him over Wayne Hennessey
Sime Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid)
Fabrizio Angeleri (River Plate)


Above players are all free and still very good and established - if i was any newly promoted team, i woould be trying to sign some of these rather than go after players who have been good in smaller clubs in other leagues. Plus even after 1 season you have the re-sale value

 

[James]

Nottingham Forest have signed Costa Rica international midfielder Brandon Aguilera on a four-year contract.

Forest say the 19-year-old, who joins from Costa Rican side Alajuelense, will go back to his homeland to complete a six-month loan with Guanacasteca before joining them.

Aguilera made his Costa Rica debut in March and has three caps.

"It's a dream come true for me to come over to England and be part of this club," he said.

 

[James]

Nottingham Forest have today agreed a double deal with Huddersfield Town to sign midfielder Lewis O’Brien and left-back Harry Toffolo. Fee for both players around the £10m mark before add-ons etc. O’Brien and Toffolo due for medicals on Monday. (Telegraph)

 

[James]

Forest making lots of signings this summer.

This will make it at least eight through the door by Tuesday.

 

[MenInG]

Former Manchester United attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard is close to signing for Nottingham Forest on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old, who has 32 England caps, has been in talks with the newly promoted side but it is understood nothing has yet been agreed.

He left United after more than 20 years at the club when his contract expired at the end of June.

Lingard has also been linked with a return to West Ham.

He had a spell on loan with the Hammers during the 2020-21 season, scoring nine goals in 16 Premier League starts.

Lingard, who has also held talks with Everton, made 22 appearances for Manchester United last season, but only four of those were starts.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Former Manchester United attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard is close to signing for Nottingham Forest on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old, who has 32 England caps, has been in talks with the newly promoted side but it is understood nothing has yet been agreed.

He left United after more than 20 years at the club when his contract expired at the end of June.

Lingard has also been linked with a return to West Ham.

He had a spell on loan with the Hammers during the 2020-21 season, scoring nine goals in 16 Premier League starts.

Lingard, who has also held talks with Everton, made 22 appearances for Manchester United last season, but only four of those were starts.

BBC

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING: Jesse Lingard has joined Nottingham Forest on a one-year deal <a href="https://t.co/NFeO7QVYMc">pic.twitter.com/NFeO7QVYMc</a></p>— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsNews/status/1550180055124529152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

 

[James]

Nottingham Forest secured a famous win as Taiwo Awoniyi scored the only goal to beat West Ham as Premier League football returned to the City Ground after a 23-year absence.

Awoniyi, Forest's £17m record signing this summer, applied the first-time finish after Jesse Lingard's effort had been deflected into his path off Hammers defender Ben Johnson.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson was Forest's other hero, denying Declan Rice with a second-half penalty save.

The Hammers could also reflect on two strikes from distance that hit the crossbar and another excellent Henderson save from Tomas Soucek as they started the season with successive defeats.

However, for Forest and their boss Steve Cooper, it was another unforgettable day for a club who were bottom of the Championship less than 12 months ago.

Spurred on by a frenzied home crowd, Forest started on the front foot and had enough to keep West Ham at bay even after their energetic early efforts started to slow.

If there was an element of Forest not quite being ready for their top-flight return, given negotiations around a new kit sponsor are still to reach a conclusion and the most recent of their 14 summer signings - £20m forward Emmanuel Dennis and free-transfer arrival Cheikhou Kouyate - were not available, the same was not true of their fans.

For hours before kick-off, they thronged the streets around the City Ground and the noise they made when the home players emerged for their warm-up was only a foretaste of the spine-tingling reception when they emerged from the tunnel for real.

Forest responded by tearing into their opponents at a furious pace. Moussa Niakhate and Awoniyi both threatened with headers, while Neco Williams drew a decent save from Lukasz Fabianski, who also had to palm away a goal-bound header from team-mate Soucek.

The backing kept Forest going on a blisteringly hot day - and the reward came in first-half stoppage time.

Awoniyi spent six years as a Liverpool player without making a single first-team appearance, before moving to Union Berlin in 2021 and then, a year later, to Forest.

As with a number of the club's summer recruits, Awoniyi has a point to prove. His finish was reactive, but he needed to be in the right place at the right time - and his name will now go into Forest folklore along with all the other great names associated with the two-time European Cup winners.

Henderson is another who wants to show how good he is. The on-loan Manchester United man produced a superb save at the start of the second half when Soucek was first to the loose ball after Pablo Fornals' strike bounced off the bar.

His best moment was still to come though. With England coach Gareth Southgate watching on from the directors' box and coming 24 hours after United keeper David de Gea's nightmare at Brentford, it could not have come on a better day as he went to his right to repel Rice's spot-kick after Scott McKenna's handball.

Forest thought they had a second through Brennan Johnson but it was ruled out for offside after a VAR intervention.

It didn't matter in the end, although there was one negative in the injury centre-back Niakhate picked up before the end.

This would have been an awkward assignment for West Ham anyway given the atmosphere they were bound to encounter.

But they hardly helped themselves.

With penalty expert Mark Noble retiring, Rice has taken that responsibility as well as the captain's armband.

However, his spot-kick was poor and lacked the accuracy to take it beyond Henderson's reach.

Rice had earlier set Said Benrahma up with a superb defence-splitting pass, only for the goal to be ruled out because Michail Antonio - given a standing ovation from the home fans when he was substituted in recognition of the season he spent as a Forest player - had barged over Orel Mangala in the build-up.

Benrahma also hit the bar with another superb effort, with Soucek denied a tap-in as Harry Toffolo made a dramatic clearance on the line.

With £30.5m striker Gianluca Scamacca unable to make an impact after replacing Antonio, West Ham find themselves without a point after two games and plenty of work ahead of them if they are to match the last two seasons' top-seven finishes.

Forest 1-0 West Ham

BBC

 

[James]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">️ Taiwo Awoniyi is Nottingham Forest’s 1st scorer in PL since Chris Bart-Williams on May 16, 1999 <a href="https://t.co/5NQfZEHCT3">pic.twitter.com/5NQfZEHCT3</a></p>— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) <a href="https://twitter.com/SkySportsStatto/status/1558813476621000705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[James]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Official and confirmed. Remo Freuler has joined Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal from Atalanta for €9m plus add-ons. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFFC</a><br><br>Freuler was Atalanta’s captain but he wanted new chapter in PL, tempted by NFFC proposal. Done and sealed. <a href="https://t.co/GoyAmT63fP">pic.twitter.com/GoyAmT63fP</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1558882205379731456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Saj]

BREAKING: Nottingham Forest have agreed a deal worth £44.5m including add-ons for Wolves midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White

 

[James]

Forest are blowing money to ridiculously embarrassing levels now. Gibbs-White is just an average Championship player. I bet Wolves are laughing all the way to the bank with that fee, which will pay for most of the Nunes deal. God help Forest if they end up being relegated in the next 1-2 seasons.

 

[Kianig89]

Forest perfectly falling in that one season syndrome category also they have a dodgy owner that Greek fixing mafia man let's see.....

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Forest perfectly falling in that one season syndrome category also they have a dodgy owner that Greek fixing mafia man let's see.....

That's precisely it. They've got a top coach and a maniac owner

 

[James]

Money laundering.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Documents almost ready between Nottingham Forest and Wolves to complete Gibbs-White deal. £35m easy add-ons included, plus more variables depending on player/team performances. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NFFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NFFC</a><br><br>Been told there’s nothing advanced for Álvaro Odriozola as things stand. <a href="https://t.co/TxKRLeQLIb">pic.twitter.com/TxKRLeQLIb</a></p>— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) <a href="https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1560366503744118789?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 18, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest have signed Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolverhampton Wanderers for a club-record fee of £25m plus add-ons.

The 22-year-old midfielder moves to the City Ground on a five-year contract and is Forest's 16th signing of the summer.

Forest have spent most of the transfer window trying to sign Gibbs-White, who came through Wolves' academy.

The Stafford-born player has started both Premier League games for Bruno Lage's side this season.

Forest will pay an initial fee of £25m, plus up to £17m in potential add-ons, for Gibbs-White, who will wear the number 10 shirt.

Gibbs-White, who has 10 England Under-21s caps, impressed in the Championship last season on loan at Sheffield United.

He scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists in 37 appearances for the Blades, including scoring against Forest at The City Ground in the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest are near to completing the loan signing of Atletico Madrid's full-back Renan Lodi.

Forest have gone on a mass recruitment drive since they returned to the Premier League in the hope of making an impact on the top flight.

The 24-year-old Brazilian would become their 17th signing of the summer.

Manager Steve Cooper backs the strategy, but Hwang Ui-jo, who joined on Friday from French side Bordeaux, has been loaned to Olympiakos.

Lodi has made more than 100 appearances for Atletico since joining the club from Athletico Paranaense in 2019 and scored the goal that knocked Manchester United out of the Champions League last season.

The deal is set to include a loan fee of around 5m euros (£4.24m) with an option to turn it into a permanent transfer.

Forest host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League at 1630 BST on Sunday.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest have broken the British record for most signings in a single transfer window after an unprecedented summer of deals.

The newly promoted Premier League side signed three players on Thursday to take their total to 21.

Centre-back Willy Boly, winger Josh Bowler and defender Loic Bade joined from Wolves, Blackpool and Rennes.

However, Forest's hopes of signing 28-year-old Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi from Chelsea fell through.

Batshuayi, who joined the Blues in 2016 and has had five loan spells, is out of contract at the end of the season.

Nevertheless, Forest have surpassed the previous British record of 19 signing, held jointly by Livingston in summer 2001 and Dundee United in 2000, according to football website Transfermarkt.

The English record was previously held by Crystal Palace in the summer of 2013, with 17 signings. The Eagles added another five players to their squad in the winter transfer window to take their total for that season to 22.

Why have Forest signed so many players?
Manager Steve Cooper needed to strengthen the squad, having lost several key players from the side that won the Championship play-off final.

Five left on free transfers, while first-choice goalkeeper Brice Samba joined Lens after rejecting a new contract.

Quintet Djed Spence, James Garner, Philip Zinckernagel, Max Lowe and Keinan Davis - who were all at the City Ground on loan - have either returned to their parent clubs or joined other clubs.

Forest have spent big on several players including attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White from Wolves for £25m, striker Taiwo Awoniyi from FC Union Berlin and defender Neco Williams from Liverpool for £18m apiece, and forward Emmanuel Dennis from Watford for £13m.

They have also brought in midfielder Orel Mangala and centre-back Moussa Niakhate from Bundesliga clubs Stuttgart and Mainz respectively, along with right-back Giulian Biancone and central midfielder Remo Freuler.

Forest have remarkably brought in three left-backs - Renan Lodi on loan from Atletico Madrid, plus Omar Richards from Bayern Munich and Harry Toffolo from Huddersfield. They also signed central midfielder Lewis O'Brien from the Championship side.

Three free transfers were made - Jesse Lingard, Cheikhou Kouyate and Wayne Hennessey - while goalkeeper Dean Henderson arrived on loan from Manchester United.

Brandon Aguilera and Hwang Ui-jo were also signed permanently but immediately sent on loan, to LD Alajuelense and Olympiakos respectively.

On Thursday's transfer deadline day, Ivory Coast defender Boly was Forest's 19th signing. The left-footed centre-back, who can play in a back three or four, has signed a two-year deal.

Boly, 31, failed to turn up for Wolves' game against Newcastle on Sunday, despite being included in the matchday squad, as he pushed for the move to the City Ground.

"I'm very excited to have a new adventure with this club," said Boly.

"I spoke to Morgan Gibbs-White [former team-mate at Wolves] before I came and I'd seen the spirit of the team and he said I'd love it because it is a big club - the fans and everyone wants to go in the same direction.

"I watched the game against Tottenham and the spirit of the team really impressed me. I was listening to the fans in that game and they were unbelievable."

BBC

 

[James]

It’s not going well for Forest.

A poor start to the season, several losses at home & now losing 0-3 away at Leicester with 45 minutes still to play.

They are going to be stuck in the relegation zone after five consecutive losses.

Steve Cooper’s job hanging by a thread.

 

[Amjid Javed]

It’s not going well for Forest.

A poor start to the season, several losses at home & now losing 0-3 away at Leicester with 45 minutes still to play.

They are going to be stuck in the relegation zone after five consecutive losses.

Steve Cooper’s job hanging by a thread.

Glad there getting smashed, only reason they got to prem was corrupt officials in last seasons play off final.

 

[James]

3 substitutions at half time.

Cooper’s last roll of the dice.

 

[James]

4-0 down now. It’s over for Cooper and Forest

 

[James]

Leicester thrashed Nottingham Forest to secure their first Premier League win of the season and move off the bottom of the table at the expense of their opponents.

James Maddison scored twice either side of a Harvey Barnes strike as Leicester opened up a 3-0 lead before half-time.

Maddison then teed up substitute Patson Daka to make it 4-0 after the break.

The result means Forest have now lost their last five games and drop to the bottom on goal difference.

 

[James]

<b>Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis considers sacking Steve Cooper, his chief exec AND the entire recruitment team after splashing £150m as he looks to salvage his Premier League dream</b>

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is considering sacking manager Steve Cooper as part of a major overhaul at the Premier League strugglers.

In what could be a big shake up at the club, Forest executive Dane Murphy and the roles of his recruitment staff are also under threat as the club considers a management restructuring.

Cooper's time is appearing to be coming to a close with Forest bottom of the Premier League following Monday night's 4-0 defeat by Leicester City, their fifth-straight top-flight loss this season.

However, Sportsmail understands that after £150million was spent on 22 players during the summer, other senior figures at the club could also depart this week.

Full story at:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...Forests-chief-exec-recruitment-team-axed.html

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper will remain in his role following meetings at the club.

The 42-year-old's position was in doubt after his side fell to the bottom of the Premier League following Monday's 4-0 loss to Leicester.

However, it has been decided he should be given more time in recognition of his achievement in getting Forest promoted after a 23-year absence.

The club have also named Filippo Giraldi as sporting director.

Giraldi's appointment is viewed as an attempt to guide the club through their current difficulties and give them the structures needed to progress as a Premier League club.

Cooper was appointed manager in September 2021 and took them back to the top flight for the first time since 1999 at the end of his first season in charge.

He then spent £145m on 21 players in the summer transfer window.

Despite the heavy spending, Forest have won just once in the league this season, with Monday's defeat at the King Power Stadium their fifth loss in a row.

Italian Giraldi spent nine years at Watford, initially as a chief scout before moving into the technical director role in 2014.

It is felt his experience will prove invaluable in ensuring Forest have the best possible chance of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.

BBC

 

[James]

Seems like a stay of execution.

Feel sorry for Steve.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest has confirmed that Head Coach Steve Cooper has signed a new contract with the Club until 2025

 

[James]

<b>Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper says a social media post by his club before Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Wolves "was not helpful".</b>

Forest put out a picture of striker Emmanuel Dennis on the Molineux pitch surrounded by wolf cubs with the caption "playtime".

The post was deleted but not before it was shared by Wolves players.

After the game, Wolves responded with a post depicting a chopped down tree with the caption "playtime's over".

"I was asked about it in the press conference afterwards but I wasn't aware of it. Then I was notified about what happened afterwards," said Cooper.

"It wasn't a good thing from the club and it wasn't helpful.

"But it's been dealt with. The important thing is about learning from it."

The defeat by Wolves was Forest's seventh in 10 league games this season, leaving them bottom of the table as they prepare to face Brighton away on Tuesday.

Cooper admitted that the tweet was not a factor in the loss to Wolves, adding: "I'm not going to use that as an excuse. Professional players of both teams won't need a social media post to be motivated to get a result.

"It wasn't a good moment for us but we need to draw a line under it, trust that the club will deal with it and move on.

"It wasn't helpful but, at the same time, it's done now. It won't happen again, and we need to move on."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63281920

 

[James]

<b>Brighton 0-0 Nottingham Forest</b>

Brighton's winless run under new boss Roberto de Zerbi continued with a frustrating Premier League draw against strugglers Nottingham Forest.

The Italian is the first Brighton manager to fail to win any of his first four league games since Barry Lloyd in 1987.

The results sees Brighton stay seventh after stuttering in recent weeks, picking up just two points from four games since the departure of Graham Potter to Chelsea.

However, quite how the hosts did not manage to win will mystify and exasperate the new man at the helm.

De Zerbi's side were dominant throughout and spurned several gilt-edged chances against a Forest side that appeared happy to try to contain their opponents.

Leandro Trossard saw a powerful effort cannon back off the crossbar and was twice denied by good saves from Dean Henderson.

Both Adam Webster and Joel Veltman missed glaring opportunities from close range and Henderson came to Forest's rescue again late on, his superb save from Pascal Gross ensuring that Steve Cooper's men climb off the bottom of the table.

BBC Sport

 

[MenInG]

FULL-TIME

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Liverpool

Nottingham Forest have done it!

They have beaten Liverpool 1-0. Great scenes of celebration. Forest off the bottom of the table.

==
Memorable win

 

[James]

What a win for Forest! Well done to them.

Deserved it.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest produced a superb performance to shock Liverpool and climb off the bottom of the Premier League at a boisterous City Ground.

Taiwo Awoniyi, who left Liverpool in 2021 without making a competitive appearance, hit the winner from close range after his initial attempt came back off a post.

Liverpool were a long way from their best - Virgil van Dijk wasted their best chance - and remain without an away league win this season.

Forest keeper Dean Henderson produced a superb save to palm away a Trent Alexander-Arnold header in the final 10 minutes.

There were jubilant scenes on and off the pitch at the final whistle as Forest enjoyed their best day since returning to the top flight this season after a 23-year absence.

Forest have endured a difficult start to their first season back in the Premier League, but this was a day to remember as they thoroughly deserved their victory over a flat Liverpool.

Given Forest slumped to the bottom of the table on Thursday with Leicester's win over Leeds, boss Steve Cooper will hope this is a season-changing win.

Despite their struggles since winning promotion, Forest awarded Cooper a new contract until 2025 this month.

While Bournemouth, Chelsea, Wolves and Aston Villa have sacked managers, Forest have decided to stay patient with theirs and have now secured four points from the past two games.

Forest took the game to Liverpool from the first whistle and, by the time referee Paul Tierney blew for full-time, they had run themselves into the ground after a performance born out of aggression, energy and desire.

They have got into a habit of conceding leads this season - most notably when they led Bournemouth 2-0 only to lose 3-2 - but survived some frantic late Liverpool pressure to secure a famous win.

Three of their next five league games are against Arsenal (away), Manchester United (away) and Chelsea (home), but this memorable win will give them confidence.

BBC

 

[James]

Back down to earth for Nottingham Forest today.

A 0-5 reverse against Arsenal and a shockingly off the pace performance. The lack of quality was already known, but a team shouldn’t give up fighting as well.

Bottom of the league and already starting to rack up a horrendous goal difference… -20 and worsening.

One of the lowest xG stats in the division too.

Steve Cooper has his work cut out here.

 

[Mamoon]

Back down to earth for Nottingham Forest today.

A 0-5 reverse against Arsenal and a shockingly off the pace performance. The lack of quality was already known, but a team shouldn’t give up fighting as well.

Bottom of the league and already starting to rack up a horrendous goal difference… -20 and worsening.

One of the lowest xG stats in the division too.

Steve Cooper has his work cut out here.

Unfortunately, they will get relegated and it will be a sad day for English football because a historic club like Forest deserves to play in the Premier League.

Signing 22 players in the summer has backfired and broke the spirit and chemistry of the team. They needed new signings to survive in the Premier League but in hindsight, it seems that they overdid and it backfired.

Perhaps they should have showed more faith in the squad that helped them achieve promotion last season.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a point against Brentford at the City Ground.

Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring with a delightful solo effort when he received the ball on the edge of the box, shrugged off a few defenders and got a shot away that was helped on its way by a heavy deflection.

Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo converted a controversial penalty and Yoane Wissa chipped goalkeeper Dean Henderson to put Brentford on the brink of their first away win of the season.

But a scramble in the box in the 96th minute eventually saw the ball cross the line, the final touch coming off Brentford defender Mathias Jorgensen.

Forest have opened the scoring in five of their six home matches this season but have gone on to lose three of those games and drawn one.

Despite extensive investment over the summer, they remain rooted to the foot of the league with the worst goal difference, having scored 10 and conceded 30.

Gibbs-White, signed in the summer for a club record £25m, was lively however and had a chance to open the scoring when he strode forward and found Brennan Johnson, whose well-struck shot was saved by David Raya before Ben Mee hooked a leg in to make a crucial clearance.

Forest had a shout for a penalty when Josh Dasilva shoved Ryan Yates but a VAR check deemed there was not enough in it.

Gibbs-White's run and finish after 20 minutes nevertheless gave the hosts a lead they looked poised to take into the break only for Forest keeper Henderson to concede a contentious penalty deep into first-half stoppage time.

Wissa ran on to a looping ball from midfield and Henderson stuck a glove out to try and scoop the ball up, but caught Wissa as the forward tried to take the ball around him.

A lengthy VAR check eventually advised referee Andre Marriner to go to the monitor and he awarded the penalty that Mbeumo converted, much to the despair of Henderson and the home crowd.

Forest struggled to create clear-cut chances to retake the lead and Wissa's goal with 15 minutes remaining appeared to have settled the result in the visitors' favour.

But a frantic period of injury time saw Taiwo Awoniyi come close with a free header in the box before a cross from the right bounced around in the area and eventually came off the unlucky Jorgensen to send the City Ground into chaos.

BBC

 

[James]

A good point today, but they need many more.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest avoided being bottom of the Premier League at Christmas as they beat Crystal Palace in a game heavy on VAR decisions.

Morgan Gibbs-White was initially flagged offside when he prodded home from close range after Palace keeper Vicente Guaita parried from Brennan Johnson.

Replays at first seemed to suggest the decision was correct but, after a lengthy delay, the video assistant referee awarded the goal and it proved to be the winner.

Palace had only themselves to blame for defeat, however, Wilfried Zaha having earlier dragged a penalty wide after Joe Worrall was adjudged to have brought him down.

Victory lifts Forest off the foot of the table as they climb two places to 18th, while Palace remain 11th after only a second defeat in seven league games.

VAR takes centre stage yet again

While Gibbs-White's winner was both the most important and marginal decision, the video assistant was just as busy as on-field referee John Brooks during an eventful afternoon at the City Ground.

Tyrick Mitchell rightly escaped a red card when he brought down Jesse Lingard through on goal just outside the area in the first half, because Joachim Andersen was covering in behind.

But Palace's penalty was a trickier call - again there was a long stoppage to decide whether Worrall's arm around Zaha's midriff was enough to justify Brooks pointing to the spot.

It was debatable but the point was rendered moot when Zaha's spot-kick clipped the outside of the post on its way wide.

No team have conceded more penalties in the Premier League this season than the five Forest have given away
Even after Gibbs-White's strike was eventually given, there was more for VAR to do as a booking was deemed suitable punishment for Ryan Yates' studs-up challenge on Jeffrey Schlupp's ankle.

But that was the end of the drama as Forest comfortably saw out victory, with Palace failing to register a single shot on target all game.

BBC

 

[James]

<b>Nottingham Forest will investigate alleged homophobic chanting heard during Sunday's Premier League match against Chelsea at the City Ground.</b>

Forest are "aware of reports of concerning chants" during the 1-1 draw.

Chelsea's official LGBTQ+ supporters group said "we totally condemn" the chant, adding that it is "time to call this out".

In January 2022, the Crown Prosecution Service classed the chant as a homophobic slur.

That means anyone singing it is committing a hate crime and could face prosecution.

Forest said it was "aware of reports concerning chants aimed at Chelsea supporters from a minority of fans" and that the club "do not condone any type of discriminatory or offensive behaviour".

Forest group LGBTQ+ Trickies offered an apology to their counterpart Chelsea Pride, calling on the local police and their club to act.

"We are embarrassed and ashamed," the Forest group added.

BBC Sport

 

[Saj]

Huge win tonight at Southampton which moves Forest out of the bottom 3 and up to 15th place.

 

[James]

Still a long way to go, but Steve Cooper has them playing a bit now — they might just stay up.

 

[MenInG]

Championship strugglers Blackpool humbled Premier League Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup third round.

The Seasiders, in the relegation zone in the second tier, took a 17th-minute lead through Marvin Ekpiteta.

Forest, who changed their entire starting XI, spurned a host of chances to draw level at Bloomfield Road.

Ian Poveda, CJ Hamilton and Jerry Yates struck in the second half before Ryan Yates claimed a consolation.

The fourth-round draw takes place on Sunday at 16:05 GMT.

Forest's thrilling run to last season's quarter-finals buoyed their ultimately successfully push for a long-awaited promotion back to the Premier League.

But Steve Cooper's team selection suggested Forest were happy to sacrifice this season's competition to focus on avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.

Blackpool's James Husband volleyed narrowly wide of the far post before Forest failed to deal with Hamilton's left-wing cross and Shayne Lavery's scuffed shot found Ekpiteta. The centre-half, who had stayed forward following a free-kick, stabbed the ball past Wayne Hennessey from 10 yards.

Forest were on top either side of half-time, with Ekpiteta making a couple of important blocks in the second half.

But Neco Williams gave the ball away in his own half to Blackpool substitute Yates, whose run into the box resulted in on-loan Leeds winger Poveda bundling the ball in.

Hamilton exchanged passes with another sub, Kenny Dougall, before hitting a fine volley inside the far post from the left side of the box, and Yates wrapped up a fine win with a half-volley via the crossbar from Poveda's cross.

BBC

 

[James]

A humiliating loss for Forest.

They need to recover from this quickly.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest's Jesse Lingard says he turned to drink "to try and take the pain away," as he struggled to deal with his career at Manchester United.

Lingard, 30, joined the club aged seven and made over 230 senior appearances, but fell out of first team favour before signing for Forest in July 2022.

Speaking on The Diary Of A CEO podcast, he recalled the "abuse" from fans and his treatment at Old Trafford.

"I needed something to try and take the pain away," he said.

"And put me at ease somehow. I was drinking before bed, having a nightcap.

"I look back now and think, 'what was I doing that for?' I was trying to forget what was going on. But it makes it 10 times worse."

The England international also spoke about his mother's battle with depression, which resulted in him caring for his younger siblings Jasper and Daisy-Boo, when she was admitted to hospital for treatment in 2019.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest are trying to sign Newcastle United striker Chris Wood on loan until the end of the season.

A deal for the New Zealand international could go through in time for him to play against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday.

Wood played a crucial part in Newcastle's relegation battle last season when he joined them from Burnley for £25m a year ago.

He has played 18 games for the Magpies this season, but only four starts.

Wood has also played once in the FA Cup and three times in the Carabao Cup, scoring three goals in his 22 appearances in the 2022-23 campaign.

Forest boss Steve Cooper has been keen to add reinforcements in the January transfer window, despite their influx of new arrivals last summer when the club set a new British record by making 22 signings following their promotion to the Premier League.

They have signed midfielders Danilo and Gustavo Scarpa during the January transfer window.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Dean Henderson has been ruled out for "four to five weeks" with a thigh injury.

The 25-year-old is on a season-long loan from Manchester United and suffered the issue in the Premier League win over Leicester last week.

Second-choice Wayne Hennessey will start against Bournemouth in the league on Saturday (15:00 GMT), but Forest could turn to the transfer market.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Chris Wood joins Nottingham Forest on loan to the end of the season.

The deal includes an option to make the transfer permanent until 2024.

The New Zealand international, 31, moves after a year at Newcastle, who he joined from Burnley for £25m.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest snatched a late equaliser to deny Bournemouth their first win since November.

The Cherries took the lead when winger Dango Ouattara, making his debut following his £20m move from Lorient on Thursday, crossed from the right and Jaidon Anthony finished with a low strike.

But the hosts could not hang on as they conceded in the 83rd minute.

Substitute Sam Surridge, who began his career at Bournemouth, scored against his old side, sliding in from close range to convert Brennan Johnson's low cross.

There was a nervous wait for Forest as a video assistant referee checked to see if Surridge was onside, with the goal eventually given to earn Forest a vital point.

"It's a special moment for me, getting my first Premier League goal against my former club - I thought it was almost meant to be," said Surridge, who only started seven league games in a six-year spell with the Cherries between 2015 and 2021.

"For whatever reason they [the Bournemouth supporters] decided to boo me. I spent a lot of time here and I knew I was going to get a goal, I could feel it."

Forest boss Steve Cooper added: "He got booed on, but had the last laugh. I've so much respect for Sam, not only the performances but he gives everything when given an opportunity.

"It's off the bench at the moment, but he is having a really big impact and I'm really pleased for him."

The result saw Bournemouth drop down to 18th and into the Premier League relegation zone, four points behind Forest, who are now unbeaten in four matches and 13th in the table.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Team news - Surridge starts for Forest; Casemiro back for Man Utd

Nottingham Forest v Manchester United (20:00 GMT)

Nottingham Forest make four changes from the side who drew 1-1 with Bournemouth at the weekend.

Sam Surridge, who came off the bench to score the equaliser there, is rewarded with a start. Scott McKenna and January signings Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo also come in.

Goalkeeper Dean Henderson is injured but he would also have been unavailable as he can't play against his parent club.

Nottingham Forest XI: Hennessey, Lodi, McKenna, Worrall, Aurier, Danilo, Freuler, Scarpa, Gibbs-White, Surridge, Johnson.

Subs: Smith, Cook, Boly, Williams, Mangala, Colback, Lingard, O'Brien, Dennis.

 

[Saj]

Doing brilliantly and up to 13th place in the table.

I thought they'd be bottom of the table and straight back down.

6 points clear of the relegation zone.

 

[MenInG]

Brennan Johnson scored the only goal as Nottingham Forest beat Leeds to move six points clear of the relegation places.

Forest were second best throughout the first half but led at the break thanks to Johnson's thumping 14th-minute strike.

After Leeds failed to clear a free-kick on the right, the ball bounced up for the Wales forward to rifle it into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The hosts were indebted to debutant goalkeeper Keylor Navas, on loan from Paris St-Germain, who made important first-half saves from Wilfried Gnonto, Luke Ayling and Luis Sinisterra, who put Leeds' best chance of the game over the bar from six yards out.

Leeds' threat all but vanished in the second period and Forest comfortably held on for a third victory in five Premier League games, moving up to the 13th in the table.

Meanwhile, Jesse Marsch's Leeds have now gone seven league games without a win and stay 17th, above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

 

[MenInG]

Forest's bid to avoid an immediate return to the Championship has gathered serious momentum in recent weeks, but they suffered an early setback here as Boly and McKenna were taken off after only seven minutes - the earliest any side has ever substituted two starters in a Premier League game.

The pair appeared to get injured in the same move, McKenna colliding with Fulham's Mitrovic and Boly pulling a muscle while attempting to clear the Serbian striker's flick-on.

Joe Worrall and former Atletico Madrid defender Felipe came on as replacements, but Forest's makeshift defence was powerless to prevent Willian from putting the hosts in front.

The visitors managed just five touches in the opposition penalty area before the break, but the second-half introductions of Dennis and Shelvey looked like providing the spark Forest needed to get back in the contest.

Dennis in particular was a major threat, but the former Watford man's header - Forest's only shot on target - failed to beat Leno.

Cooper's team have found the net just three times on their travels this season and failed to score in nine of their 22 top-flight encounters - only Bournemouth and Wolves have drawn more blanks in the league.

 

[MenInG]

Forest take their chance

Forest will have considered themselves lucky to go into half-time trailing by only one goal having seen the majority of the first period played in their own half.

They had won four of their past seven matches at home and showed mere glimpses of danger on the counter-attack as City committed bodies forward.

Gibbs-White and Brennan Johnson had chances to break away, with the latter denied by Walker's block before bounding forward again but with no one in support to latch onto his squared ball.

Forest were without centre-backs Scott McKenna and Willy Boly, who picked up injuries last time out, and Steve Cooper's side did not put together any meaningful periods of possession or chances.

But, as City became frustrated, Forest were patient and ultimately efficient enough to take their opportunity when it finally came, their only shot on target all afternoon.

"It is definitely a positive result," said Cooper. "For me, Manchester City are the best team in the world. They are fascinating to watch and study. There was no shame City had the ball as much as they did.

"We rode a bit of luck but we earned a bit of luck with the goal we scored. That was the plan - just to stay in the game and get one moment," he added.

"I owe a lot of gratitude to the players for sticking to the plan."

 

[MenInG]

Wolves star Daniel Podence escaped a red card after appearing to spit at Nottingham Forest forward Brennan Johnson.

The Portugal international looked straight at the Forest star before exhaling his cheeks and blowing, before Johnson reacted by grabbing his face and turning towards the referee.

The incident was reviewed but referee David Coote was not told to go to the monitor and VAR ruled that there had been no infringement.

A flare-up between both sides in a spiky encounter at the City Ground occurred after a collision between Diego Costa and Cheikhou Kouyate with time running out.

It saw both sets of players run in to push and shove each other around before Podence appeared to spit in the direction of Johnson’s face.

Speaking on talkSPORT, Trevor Sinclair said: “It looked like that [he spat]. There was a little coming together between Diego Costa and Cheikhou Kouyate.

“Quite a few of the players came around and just on the angle of the camera, it looked like he puffed his cheeks and blew in the direction of Brennan Johnson.

“Johnson put his hand on his face as if to say, ‘referee, what’s going on?’

TalkSport

 

[Saj]

Cooper remains in charge for now - hanging on to his job.

I think he might take Forest down.

Nottingham Forest say Steve Cooper remains manager but "results and performances must improve immediately".

Forest, beaten 2-1 by Leeds United on Tuesday, are 17th in the Premier League, above the relegation zone only on goal difference.

In a statement, owner Evangelos Marinakis said he wished to end "false and disruptive reporting" about Cooper's future.

Forest have not won in eight games, the longest winless run in the top flight.

Cooper joined Forest in September 2021 and guided them to the Premier League for the first time since 1999 in his first season.

He has signed 29 players since last summer, spending more than £160m.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest have sacked sporting director Filippo Giraldi after only six months.

The Italian joined in October after Forest made a British record 22 signings in the summer, overseeing their January transfer window spending.

Forest, who have won only once since January, said Giraldi has left "amicably".

Last week owner Evangelos Marinakis said results "must improve immediately" under manager Steve Cooper.

Forest dropped into the Premier League relegation zone on Saturday as a 2-0 defeat at Aston Villa extended their winless run to nine games.

In January they signed Brazilian midfielder Danilo from Palmeiras for about £16m, midfielder Jonjo Shelvey and defender Felipe for undisclosed fees, midfielder Gustavo Scarpa on a free transfer, plus striker Chris Wood and goalkeeper Keylor Navas on loan.

BBC

 

[MenInG]

Loyalty to Cooper close to reaping reward

The wisdom of Forest's decision to stick with Cooper when all around them at the bottom were changing managers - sometimes more than once - will be determined with the outcome of their final two fixtures.

Before the Chelsea game, they had won two of their past three matches - but that was after going 11 without a victory, a period when the Forest board must have been tempted to make a change as all four clubs below them had.

This draw, on the back of the Southampton win, puts them within touching distance of securing a second successive season in the top flight.

Cooper's side have been lamentable in London this season, previously losing all five Premier League visits to the capital by an aggregate score of 16-2.

But he turned that form around by frustrating the home side, highlighted by the inclusion of defender Joe Worrall in place of forward Brennan Johnson and switching to a back five.

His reward was a level of defensive resolve they have not always shown this season, combined with an eagerness and ability - especially through the aerial prowess of Nigeria striker Awoniyi - to capitalise on the weak points of the star-studded hosts.

One more victory, or even two draws, might well be enough to preserve their top-flight status and reward the Forest board for sticking with their man.

 

[MenInG]

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi continued his excellent late-season form with the opening goal in a final-day draw at Crystal Palace.

With Forest having secured their Premier League status last weekend and Palace long since safe, there was a celebratory atmosphere at Selhurst Park before kick-off.

Awoniyi kept the away fans in good spirits when he raced on to Morgan Gibbs-White's superb through ball, twisted and turned before firing into the bottom corner on 31 minutes.

It came just a minute after Eberechi Eze had seen his close-range effort blocked on the line by his own team-mate, Jordan Ayew, at the other end.

Palace were on top for much of the second half and found the equaliser after 66 minutes when Will Hughes headed in from Michael Olise's cross.

Neither side was able to find a winner and both teams can begin their plans for next season in earnest, although for Palace it remains to be seen whether that will be with Roy Hodgson at the helm.

 

[MenInG]

Former England midfielder Jesse Lingard is among six players released by Nottingham Forest after his contract expired.

Lingard joined Forest last summer and made 20 appearances in 2022-23.

However, he fell out of favour at the City Ground, playing just 60 minutes of Premier League football after New Year's Day.

Keylor Navas, Dean Henderson and Renan Lodi have also left Forest after their loans ended.

Andre Ayew, Cafu, Jack Colback, Jordan Smith and Lyle Taylor will leave the club after their contracts expire.

Henderson started the season as first choice goalkeeper at Forest after his move from Manchester United, but suffered a thigh injury in January which ruled him out for the rest of the campaign.

He was replaced in goal by Navas, who was signed from Paris St-Germain.

Meanwhile, Lodi joined on a season-long deal from Atletico Madrid last summer, with the left back making 28 Premier League appearances as Forest secured top flight survival last season.

Serge Aurier has triggered an automatic one-year extension on his deal, while the club have confirmed striker Chris Wood's loan from Newcastle United will become a permanent transfer when the window re-opens.

 

[Kianig89]

Halfway at PL season, Nottingham Forest are 2nd in standings, astonishing to say the least