Nottingham Forest manager has expressed confidence in his squad’s development and defended the club’s January transfer approach ahead of Friday night’s crucial Premier League visit to Elland Road.
Speaking after the close of the transfer window, the Forest boss insisted the club remained focused on long-term stability rather than short-term fixes. “It’s not easy to get deals over the line,” he admitted, while highlighting “good signs from progressing players” and “continued progress” within the group. He also stressed the importance of squad balance, warning that overloading positions can disrupt morale and clarity of roles. Ownership, he added, placed no pressure on outgoing transfers, allowing decisions to remain football-led rather than financially driven.
Integration Over Immediate Impact
New signing Luca Netz has arrived to strengthen Forest’s left side, but the manager cautioned against expecting an instant impact. Players arriving from abroad often need time to adjust to the pace, physicality, and intensity of the Premier League.
Injury and Goalkeeping Update
Forest face a key decision over goalkeeper Matz Sels, with a final call expected within 24–48 hours. While there remains a chance he could feature, the manager stressed he would avoid taking risks. Callum Hudson-Odoi is managing a shoulder injury and will be assessed closer to kick-off. Overall, the injury picture remains manageable, with confidence in the wider squad strong.
League Context
Forest head to Leeds in 17th place, level on points with their hosts in a tight relegation battle. Recent results have shown defensive improvement, with the earlier season victory over Leeds (3–1) providing further encouragement. That performance saw Sangaré, Gibbs-White, and Anderson on the scoresheet and demonstrated Forest’s ability to punish transitions and control key moments.
Leeds Threat
Leeds, just above Forest, are also seeking to distance themselves from the relegation zone. Elland Road is a demanding venue, and while the home side has shown competitiveness, they have also revealed defensive vulnerabilities. Forest’s manager highlighted striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a key threat, particularly in direct play and transitions.
Focus and Mindset
Despite the ups and downs of recent weeks, the Forest camp is reported to be in positive spirits. While ambitions remain across competitions, the Premier League remains the priority, described by the manager as “the platform the club worked years to regain.”
With morale high and confidence growing, Forest head into “another big game” at Leeds believing in their progress and the strength of the squad.
