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Telegraph
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Telegraph
Inside Nottingham Forest's pre-season plans as European return looms
With the cavernous Estadio Algarve just a few hundred yards away, Nuno Espirito Santo is observing an evening training session. Nottingham Forest's players are working on an attacking drill and Morgan Gibbs-White is at the forefront, having returned to Portugal following a short period of absence, days after signing a new three-year contract. Temperatures are above 30C and these are the crucial days of pre-season for Nuno, Forest's head coach, as his squad prepare for the return of European football. Forest were the surprise package of last season, occupying the top four from late December to mid-April. They became the first team in Premier League history to more than double their points tally from one season to the next (from 32 to 65). Eventually finishing seventh, they secured a place in Europe for the first time in nearly 30 years. Yet Nuno is under no illusions that this season will be much harder. His squad is still very much under construction, with at least five more signings required. The demands of Saturday-Thursday-Sunday matches will represent a daunting challenge. He wants the depth to cope with it, after experiencing that tricky balancing act with Wolves. 'Nuno-ball' While his team earned high praise for their effective style of play last season, major changes to 'Nuno-ball' are afoot. Averaging just under 41 per cent possession last season, Nuno realises that is unsustainable. Dreams of the Champions League faded late in the season, with only two wins from the final eight league games, and there is an acceptance that most opponents could have figured Nuno's team out. Telegraph Sport understands the coach wants his reshaped team to control more of the ball, to dominate matches and be more flexible. Playing with three at the back is an option, and Nuno is also considering using two forwards as opposed to just having Chris Wood on his own. It is also recognised that there were not enough players on the bench capable of making an impact late in matches. This explains why Nuno is pushing to sign Fulham's Adama Traoré, effectively as a direct replacement for Anthony Elanga who joined Newcastle. Traoré is renowned for his explosive pace and produced arguably his best football under Nuno at Wolves. His former manager believes he can unlock his potential to influence matches. The £34.5m club-record capture of winger Dan Ndoye from Bologna is regarded as a significant coup. A Switzerland international, Ndoye quickly emerged as the No 1 target after Nuno expressed some doubts about Johan Bakayoko, who joined RB Leipzig from PSV Eindhoven. Ndoye underwent his medical on Wednesday. Further business Forest aim to make another winger addition with the future of Jota Silva uncertain. Many other signings are expected before September 1. Full-backs, a central midfielder and another forward are priorities. As revealed by Telegraph Sport on May 13, Southampton's Mateus Fernandes is high on the list of targets and there have been discussions over a possible deal. The Portugal Under-21 international was relegated Southampton's player of the year last season and fits all of Forest's criteria for new signings. James McAtee, the Manchester City midfielder, remains on the radar but there is an impasse over valuation. At least one new senior goalkeeper will be signed to join Golden Glove joint-winner Matz Sels. Carlos Miguel, a signing from Corinthians last July, has been left at home and told to find a new club. United States international Matt Turner has a deal agreed in principle with Lyon. With recruitment still very high on the agenda, Forest's transfer chiefs have all joined up with the squad at their base up in the green hills near Loulé. Chief football officer Ross Wilson – a target for Newcastle – technical director George Syrianos and head of recruitment Pedro Ferreira have been in consistent contact with Nuno, owner Evangelos Marinakis and Edu, the newly appointed Global Head of Football. Building on strong foundations Despite the prospect of many new arrivals, the core of Nuno's team remains. Gibbs-White will clearly be vital as Forest prepare to match last season's achievements and attack Europe. His decision to reject Tottenham and sign a new three-year deal was a statement of intent by the club. It was also a huge relief for Nuno. During his brief spell at Tottenham in 2021, the Portuguese coach endured a summer transfer saga with the future of Harry Kane (a £120m target for Manchester City that year). It spilt over into the start of the season and proved a disruption, so the resolution on Gibbs-White in late July has helped avoid any similar turbulence. Forest also believe this will be a big year for England Under-21 international Elliot Anderson. Nuno is convinced Anderson has the ability to become not only the best midfielder in the Premier League but even the national team. The 22-year-old lifted the European Championship trophy with the U21s this summer and is in line for a promotion to Thomas Tuchel's senior squad in September. Equally capable of playing as either a No 6 or No 8, Nuno feels there is no limit to what he could achieve. The priority will always be strengthening relationships with his players, and maintaining the tight bond in the dressing room. One of Nuno's most valued leaders is centre-back Willy Boly, who also played under him at Wolves. Though Boly made only one league start last season, the feeling is that his attitude, discipline and experience is crucial both on and off the training field. Boly speaks fluent Portuguese and has assisted in helping new Brazilian signings Igor Jesus and Jair Cunha adapt. Training hard During Forest's 10-day stay in the Algarve, double training sessions have been the norm in baking hot temperatures. There is a new arrival on Nuno's staff with fitness coach Joao Lapa replacing Antonio Dias, who has left for Fenerbahce. Players have had some time for relaxation, with rounds of golf, padel, table tennis and even board games. The intense battles between Sels and centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, whatever the sport, are the stuff of legend within the group. On Sunday night, the team and staff all assembled for a meal at Botanico in Quinta do Lago. Those evenings are regarded by Nuno as another fundamental part of pre-season. Forest returned on Wednesday night and will ramp up their preparations with a friendly against Championship club Birmingham City this weekend. The long, agonising wait to discover which European competition they will be playing in this season will also be known next month. FA Cup winners Crystal Palace have gone to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to argue their case to be reinstated to the Europa League, amid issues with Uefa's multi-club ownership rules. Forest are frustrated that they have been painted in some quarters as villains of the saga. Whatever happens, European football is assured and will be another step forward in the club's evolution.
Daily Mail
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Rangers secure group stage football with big result in Greece... but only Champions League will do for Martin
Russell Martin last night savoured securing group European stage football in his first season at Rangers — but urged his players not to settle for anything other than the Champions League. A 1-1 draw away to Panathinaikos came courtesy of Djeidi Gassama's stunning equaliser which saw the Scots progress 3-1 on aggregate. Rangers now face Viktoria Plzen in the third qualifying round with the first leg set to take place at Ibrox on Tuesday after the Czechs beat Servette 3-2 on aggregate. Last night's result means Rangers now have a worst-case scenario of participating in the UEFA Conference League. Asked if it was incumbent on his side to now aim for the bright lights of UEFA's top tournament, however, Martin said: 'Yeah, I think my job as head coach here is to always want more from the players. 'So, I'm really pleased with tonight that we qualified, but I have to want more in terms of the performance and what we're doing. We have to be better and we will get better, I really believe that. 'We're here at a football club that demands we try and win every game we play in. It's part of the reason why we're all here, so we will give it our very best shot and attack it as best we can and see where it takes us.' Martin was frustrated with aspects of his side's play, but believed they passed a huge test of character after falling behind to Filip Djuricic's header early in the second half. 'I'm incredibly proud of them,' he added. 'The team, the staff, the fans were amazing, so it's a big night for us. 'Listen, we're playing against a really good team, in a really difficult place to play. Over the two games, they've been very good, they are a very well coached team. 'It's probably as tough a draw as we could have had. So, they are going to have moments. 'At half-time they had to compose themselves and they did exactly what I asked of them — they stuck together, they fought, they dug in, and in the second half we played some really good football as well. 'But we'll get better and they'll grow so much from that. I said to the players before the game that they had an opportunity not many people get to have on nights like this and to make the most of it. I'm really proud of them.' Asked what he felt the result would do for the squad in terms of their learning process, Martin said: 'From a psychological and spirit and energy point of view, they'll have so much they should take so much from tonight. 'And also tactically and technically with the detail that we were asking from them, the second half was so much better. 'There's still a few mistakes and the pitch was tough at times for them, but they really stuck to it and showed big courage and composure.' Gassama, who scored in the first leg in Glasgow, is fast becoming a fans' favourite following his move from Sheffield Wednesday. Asked how big a decision it was not to start the winger, Martin said: 'Listen, it is a tough call to leave anyone out of the team, especially when someone had such an impact on the bench. 'But we went for consistency, players that played together more. Gas is still catching up for sure. He knows what we think of him, he also knows he has to be patient. 'He's more ready to start now than he has been before tonight, so I'm pleased with him.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Knoester confident Aberdeen can cope with demands
Defender Mats Knoester, 26, is confident Aberdeen can cope with the demands of domestic and European football this season. (Press and Journal - subscription required), externalRead Monday's Scottish gossip
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'We have a level to aspire to' - Aina on Forest's aims for next season
Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina, speaking to BBC Radio Nottingham about his contract and Forest's prospects for the new season: "The friendly against Monaco was a good test and we played well as a team. Pre-season is about getting ready and getting to know each other."We wanted to get a bit of fitness out of it and also make connections, and practise our ideas with each other. Hopefully we can go again next season. Everyone knows each other now so we are looking forward to his three-year deal with the club: "Obviously, I am very happy to get it over and done with. It's nice to have the stability and now I can fully focus on working hard for Forest. I feel at home prospects for European football: "We are buzzing for it. Hopefully we can continue to grow as a club because we did fantastic last year. We don't want to go backwards."It's good to set a bar high, because we have a standard now and the fans expect that from us. It's fantastic for us that we have a level to aspire to."BBC Nottingham's Colin Fray added: "Nuno seemed very happy with the squad at the friendly against Monaco."Many people turned up to see Morgan Gibbs-White, who played well and seemed very happy. That also suggests Nuno is happy with him and that his attitude is right."
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Goodwin on 'favourites' tag, Graham injury & Strassen style
Jim Goodwin has been speaking to the media before the first leg of Dundee United's Conference League second round qualifying tie against UNA Strassen on Thursday night. Here are the key points from the Tannadice boss: Goodwin says United are "very confident" and "have a lot of belief" within the group of progressing from this "massive yet difficult" tie. The manager admitted United are "heavy favourites on paper" but "haven't been planning for the game with that mindset". He says there is "a little bit of added pressure" because "we all want Scottish teams to be successful in Europe". Ross Graham, who was named the new United captain this week, has had hamstring surgery and will be out until "around the end of October". The defender will be "a big loss" but it was "an easy decision" for Goodwin to give him the armband. The manager thanked his analyst who did the "difficult job" of finding footage of Strassen. The team from Luxembourg are "well coached, technically look good and have a real understanding in their patterns of play". Having made 11 signings so far this summer, Goodwin expects to add "a couple" more new recruits in the next few weeks, but stressed that because of the "good business" done early in the window, it is "not panic station".
