Nottingham Forest have endured a frustrating start to the Premier League season, raising serious questions about their performances and attacking struggles. However, despite mounting pressure and three consecutive defeats, head coach Oliver Glasner remains convinced that his team can turn things around and deliver the results supporters expect.
Forest travel to Ipswich Town on Friday looking to end their disappointing run and climb away from the relegation zone. Expectations were considerably higher following Glasner’s appointment in the summer, particularly after his impressive achievements at Crystal Palace. Yet, with results failing to match performances, Forest are already facing an important early-season test.
The Austrian manager believes his side deserve more from their recent performances. Forest have created opportunities but repeatedly failed to take advantage of them, leaving them empty-handed in matches where points appeared within reach.
Their defeat against Crystal Palace highlighted their lack of clinical finishing, while Sunday’s narrow loss to reigning champions Arsenal demonstrated both their defensive resilience and their continued attacking limitations.
Despite these setbacks, there is still confidence within the club that Forest are moving in the right direction under Glasner. His tactical approach, leadership and personality have impressed those around him, and the club remain hopeful that greater consistency will eventually produce better results.
Glasner was appointed to help take Forest to another level after establishing himself as a successful manager at Palace, where he won the FA Cup, Community Shield and Conference League. Those achievements have given Forest supporters reasons to believe that the current difficulties can be overcome.
However, the 52-year-old understands that previous success does not guarantee immediate results. He has acknowledged that he is not a magician and has already discussed the possibility of a difficult start with owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Importantly, Glasner has experienced similar situations before. When he replaced Roy Hodgson at Palace in February 2024, he managed only one victory in his opening six matches. His first full season with the Eagles also began slowly, with the team failing to win any of their first eight games.
Nevertheless, Palace eventually recovered and enjoyed a memorable campaign, culminating in their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City and the end of a 119-year wait for a major trophy.
That experience provides a valuable reminder that difficult beginnings do not necessarily determine how a season will finish. Glasner will hope Forest can follow a similar path, although he knows patience must be supported by visible improvement.
Forest have experienced considerable managerial instability over the past year, with Ange Postecoglou lasting just 39 days before his departure following a winless run. Sean Dyche subsequently had a relatively brief spell in charge, while Vitor Pereira guided the club through an important European campaign before being dismissed in June.
Against that background, establishing stability under Glasner is a priority.
His preferred starting lineup is beginning to take shape, with Neco Williams, Matz Sels, Dan Ndoye, Murillo and James McAtee featuring in every league match so far. Morgan Gibbs-White would also have maintained that record but for a muscle injury.
However, selection decisions have created questions elsewhere in the squad. Club captain Ryan Yates has yet to feature, Ibrahim Sangare has made just one league start despite signing a new contract, and Callum Hudson-Odoi has seen his playing time restricted. Ola Aina has also lost his place to new wing-back Daniel Munoz.
With results disappointing, some supporters may question whether changes are needed. Nevertheless, Glasner appears determined to maintain his approach while encouraging his players to develop a better understanding of his tactical demands.
Defender Murillo believes progress is being made, insisting that the squad are gradually adapting to the changes introduced this season.
He acknowledged that rebuilding the team’s playing structure takes time but expressed confidence that Forest are approaching their best level. The defender also highlighted the importance of maintaining unity and building confidence during a challenging period.
FOREST’S GOALSCORING PROBLEMS BECOME A MAJOR CONCERN
While tactical adjustments remain important, Forest’s biggest problem is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: their inability to convert chances into goals.
They have yet to score a Premier League goal at the City Ground this season, extending a worrying trend that has affected their home performances for months.
Forest have scored only eight league goals at home during 2026, with four coming against Burnley in April. Their current drought has stretched to eight hours and 26 minutes without a home league goal, placing enormous pressure on their attacking players to respond.
European competition has occasionally provided relief, with victories over Ferencvaros, Porto and Aston Villa offering supporters encouraging moments. However, those performances have not translated into consistent Premier League success.
Forest have won just two of their 17 home league matches since November, underlining the scale of the challenge facing Glasner.
Their underlying attacking statistics are equally concerning. Forest have scored five league goals this season despite recording an expected-goals difference of minus 6.20, the worst figure in the division according to the supplied statistics.
They have registered 120 shots, the third-highest total in the league, behind Manchester United and Brighton. Yet only 25 attempts have been on target, demonstrating that their attacking activity has not produced sufficient quality in front of goal.
Against Arsenal, Forest managed 14 attempts but tested the goalkeeper only twice. Their missed opportunities against Palace offered another example of a team struggling to make promising situations count.
Their conversion rate of 4.17% has been the lowest in the division, highlighting a problem that cannot be solved through possession or shot volume alone.
Glasner has backed summer signing Rory Delap to help address the situation. Forest invested £50 million in the striker, and the manager praised his contribution against Arsenal. Delap also came close to making an impact late in the match, only to be denied by an excellent Ezri Konsa block.
The Austrian recognises that opportunities against elite opposition are limited, making clinical finishing essential.
Forest cannot afford to keep wasting chances and expecting their defensive organisation to secure points. Against teams competing for survival, missed opportunities could prove equally costly.
GLASNER CALLS FOR UNITY AS FOREST SEEK A RESPONSE
Despite the growing pressure, Glasner has refused to adopt a negative outlook. Instead, he has challenged his players to take responsibility and work together to change their situation.
He believes the squad possesses the quality and character required to recover, but that belief must now translate into improved performances and tangible results.
The trip to Ipswich therefore represents an important opportunity. A victory would help restore confidence, ease some of the pressure surrounding the club and provide evidence that the team are beginning to make progress.
Another disappointing result, however, would intensify questions about their attacking approach, team selection and ability to compete consistently in the Premier League.
For now, Forest’s leadership appears willing to give Glasner the opportunity to implement his plans. His previous achievements provide a strong argument for patience, although the club will ultimately judge progress by results.
Forest’s immediate priority is clear: become more clinical, maintain defensive discipline and turn competitive performances into points.
Glasner remains convinced that his players can respond positively. The challenge is ensuring that confidence becomes a catalyst for improvement rather than a substitute for it.
With Ipswich approaching, Forest have an opportunity to begin changing the narrative surrounding their season. Their manager continues to believe that better results are coming, but the players must now demonstrate that belief on the pitch.
