Nottingham Forest sit in the bottom three of the Premier League, yet manager Oliver Glasner insists the squad has simply been unlucky and deserves better.
The 52-year-old Austrian faces a critical test on Friday when his side travels to Portman Road to face Ipswich Town. Coming off three consecutive defeats, Forest have lost five of their opening eight games in all competitions, a slump that has triggered a familiar unease among supporters who watched the club’s turbulent managerial history unfold over the last few years. It is a precarious position for a team that invested heavily in the summer, specifically the £50m signing of striker Rory Delap, who has yet to break the deadlock at the City Ground.
Unfairness or Underperformance?
Glasner’s rhetoric is strikingly calm compared to the panic that usually surrounds clubs in this position. “It feels unfair but I don’t want to be complaining and feeling as victims,” he told reporters. The manager points to narrow escapes, citing the near-draw against champions Arsenal last Sunday where Forest were competitive until the final moments. He argues that the difference between winning and losing has often been millimetres rather than tactical failure.
However, the numbers tell a more complex story. While Glasner sees potential, the statistical reality is harsh. Forest have a -6.20 expected goals (xG) difference, the worst in the division. They have registered 120 shots in the league—third highest—yet only 25 have been on target. That is a conversion rate of 4.17%, the lowest in the Premier League. The gap between effort and execution is stark.
A History of Turbulence
Fans have seen this movie before. Just over a year ago, Ange Postecoglou was dismissed after a mere 39 days. Sean Dyche lasted barely 100 days. Vitor Pereira was sacked two minutes before a termination clause expired in June, despite guiding the team to Europa League semi-finals. Glasner knows this history intimately. He admitted to speaking with owner Evangelos Marinakis about his own slow starts at Crystal Palace, where he won just one of his first six games in 2024 and none of his first eight in the 2024-25 season.
“I am not a magician,” Glasner said. “I am impatient to repeat that success, and I have met no one with more ambition than Evangelos.” The comparison is dangerous. Palace eventually won the FA Cup, ending a 119-year drought, but the road there was rocky. At Forest, the patience for such a long build-up phase appears thinner.
The Forgotten Names
While the front line struggles to find the net, the selection choices have raised eyebrows. Club captain Ryan Yates has not played a single minute this season. Ibrahim Sangare, who signed a new three-year contract in the summer, has made just one start. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s playing time has been limited, and Ola Aina has lost his place to new wing-back Daniel Munoz.
Defender Murillo acknowledged the internal shift. “We changed everything in our system this season. It is difficult but after three or four months we keep improving and I think we are close to reaching our best,” he said following the 1-0 loss to Arsenal. The core of Neco Williams, Matz Sels, Dan Ndoye, Murillo, and James McAtee has started every league game, providing a skeleton for Glasner’s new ideas. But are the fringe players losing faith? The pressure is palpable, especially with the home form so dire.
Home Form: A Statistical Worry
The City Ground, once a fortress, has become a source of anxiety. Forest have not scored in the Premier League at home this season. In fact, they have gone 8 hours and 26 minutes without finding the net in front of their own fans. Of the eight league goals scored at home in 2026, four came against a weak Burnley side in April. Since November, they have won just two of 17 home league games.
This lack of cutting edge was on display against Palace, where Delap’s miss summed up the team’s frustrations. Against Arsenal, they had 14 shots but only two on target, with Ezri Konsa’s fine block in injury time denying them a late equaliser. Glasner warns that against top teams, they get only two or three chances. “If you don’t take it, you have always the chance to lose the game,” he noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Oliver Glasner still in his job despite the poor start?
Owner Evangelos Marinakis appears to be buying into Glasner’s long-term project, similar to his time at Crystal Palace. Glasner has established a consistent starting XI and has spoken openly about the need for patience, noting his own slow starts in the past. The club is likely hoping for a similar trajectory where early struggles lead to eventual success, though the margin for error is smaller given the financial investments made.
When will Nottingham Forest next play at home?
Forest’s next home fixture is not specified in the immediate report, as the next match is an away game against Ipswich Town on Friday. Fans will be waiting for a return to the City Ground to see if the home scoring drought can finally be broken.
The next seven days will be the true test. A win at Ipswich would signal resilience. A loss, however, will likely ignite debate about whether the current system is fit for purpose or if another managerial change is looming. For now, Glasner’s message is clear: stick together and stay positive. Whether the players believe it as fervently as he does is a question only Friday’s result will answer.
Source: BBC Sport
This article was compiled by the IndiaBBCNews editorial system from verified international news sources. Facts have been independently reviewed. Original reporting: BBC Sport.
