Nottingham Forest remain winless and goalless at the City Ground this season following a slow start under manager Oliver Glasner.
Fantasy & Market Impact
Squeezing the Flair: Glasner’s Tactical Growing Pains
As noted in Daily Mail coverage by Tom Collomose, Nottingham Forest are yet to find their rhythm under Oliver Glasner, having failed to secure a victory or even score a goal at the City Ground this term. They look solid enough in their defensive shape, but the Austrian’s highly-structured training regime and tactical plan are currently squeezing Forest’s flair players.
Glasner is a proven tactical operator, but the transition from previous managerial setups has left key creators operating in tighter structural corridors.
Glasner needs a victory, ideally at Aston Villa on Saturday, to relieve mounting pressure on his early-season methodology.
The £50 Million Burden: Liam Delap’s Early Test
There is nothing about Liam Delap that screams £50million centre-forward, with Collomose noting that the massive price tag is unfair on the player as it creates a level of expectation he is unlikely to fulfill. Delap is a competent No. 9, but for that fee, a player needs to possess a defining, elite attacking quality.
He is no slouch, but nor is he particularly quick. If he was bought for his aerial ability, his lack of impact against Jan Paul van Hecke and Micky van de Ven was worrying. Technically he is adequate, and while he is strong, so are most Premier League players. His highest goal tally in a league season remains 12 for Ipswich during the 2024-25 campaign.
Delap’s price tag highlights the absolute absurdity of the summer transfer window when compared to internal recruitment bargains like Igor Jesus, who arrived at Forest a year ago from Brazilian outfit Botafogo for just £10m and netted 16 times across his debut campaign in England.
Gibbs-White’s Search for a Spark
Forest’s No. 10, Morgan Gibbs-White, was desperately unlucky not to make England’s World Cup squad, and the club deserves credit for hanging on to him during a turbulent transfer window. Right now, their primary talisman looks like a player who just needs a spark to bring him back to his blistering best.
He played well at Liverpool last weekend and scored a penalty in the 2-2 draw. While he put in a solid shift against Tottenham, he fell short of the elite standards he had previously set during the prior campaign, particularly under Vitor Pereira.
| Player | Key Metric / Comparison | Current Status |
|---|---|---|
| Liam Delap | £50m Fee vs. 12-goal Ipswich peak (24-25) | Under immense valuation pressure |
| Igor Jesus | £10m fee from Botafogo / 16 goals in 1st English campaign | Prior benchmark for efficient recruitment |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | Scored penalty vs. Liverpool (2-2 draw) | Seeking spark to match previous season heights |
Glasner Puts Murillo on Notice Over Conditioning
Listening to Glasner address the media is always entertaining because he has a habit of dropping unexpected, sharp remarks out of nowhere. Delivered in his calm, even tones, it catches listeners by surprise. When questioned regarding the late substitution of star centre-back Murillo, the manager let slip that the Brazilian—who had spent four months on the sidelines injured—may not have returned from his homeland in the physical condition required.
Pressed on Murillo’s fitness, Glasner chose not to unnecessarily pile on, speaking more generally about the elite physical conditioning required to play in his system. But the tactical message across the dressing room was crystal clear.
Murillo has been largely undroppable since he joined Forest three years ago. With new defensive signing Ousmane Diomande waiting in the wings for his tactical opportunity, that absolute security is officially gone.
Disclaimer: The fantasy and market insights provided are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute financial or betting advice.
