We asked you to send in your questions for football reporter Nick Mashiter to answer. In the first of a two-part Q&A on Wednesday, he addresses what success looks like at Nottingham Forest this campaign and what Oliver Glasner’s team need to do to produce strong performances.
Will: What do you think represents success for Glasner this season? If we trend as we are into Christmas, do you think the owner will look to replace him, or will Glasner be given the full season regardless, assuming we’re not close to relegation?
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Nick: After last season, Forest desperately need stability, and it would be a huge surprise to see the manager leave, unless it is an irretrievable situation.
The investment in him would make it an expensive change anyway, but it is way too soon to be thinking about anything like that.
Glasner has rejected any suggestions of a quick fix, and he should. Promising easy solves to complicated issues is foolish.
In terms of a successful campaign, that could be subjective. Already out of the Carabao Cup, they only have the FA Cup to aim for if they want silverware, but a steady season, with clear progress both in terms of playing style and results, can still be considered a success.
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Consistency has been in short supply, so I would love to see a stable and consistent Forest this season.
Tom: What do we need to do to make our City Ground strong again and make us hard to beat at home?
Nick: Forest only won four home games in the Premier League last term, and they have lost 28 out of 79 at the City Ground since returning to the top flight in 2022.
That is 35% of their games, while they have won 26 of 79 (32%), so it can be argued the City Ground has not been consistently strong recently – 2024-25 being the exception.
It’s a hard question to answer because there is no single thing which can explain what they can do or what they have to do, but over the next few years we will see a huge change at the City Ground with the planned expansion and that will also change the dynamic at home.
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The defeats by Leeds and Coventry, and the Tottenham draw, were frustrating, but perhaps a byproduct of Forest still learning and growing under Oliver Glasner.
The next three home games are against Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea, but looking at the results at Villa Park and Anfield, Forest can get results and time together can only help them improve.
Come back to this page later on Wednesday for part two of the Q&A, which will focus on whether Forest will survive this season and why Glasner keeps changing his side.
Read the full article here