Analysis: Fan anger towards officials, rather than performancepublished at 20:56 BST 5 September
20:56 BST 5 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Oliver Glasner took the applause from the emptying City Ground as he grabbed his coat from the dugout.
They are yet to see his Nottingham Forest side score a goal at home this season but their frustration was directed to referee Craig Pawson.
The decision to disallow Neco Williams' goal, after Micky van de Ven and Sandro Tonali failed to clear Morgan Gibbs-White's goalbound chip, drew most of their anger.
It was controversial, Williams bundling in during comical Spurs defending, and added to the frustration of opening the season to two draws and a defeat.
Glasner knows - and has said - he needs time and Forest showed enough willing and determination to prove they are on the right track, even without the victory.
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Tottenham: What Glasner saidpublished at 18:12 BST 5 September
18:12 BST 5 September
Media caption,
Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner speaking to BBC Match of the Day: "It feels we lost two points today because I watched a few situations back and I think the goal must stand. It's not clear and obvious. We have a briefing before the season that the VAR threshold should be high again when VAR intervenes and I think it was not clear and obvious.
"For me it is a clear penalty when Neco Williams gets fouled because [Mohammed] Kudus doesn't even jump into the ball and when this situation happens anywhere on the pitch it is always a foul. In these two situations we were not very lucky. Huge fight from both teams and like last year every game is decided by small margins. I think we had them today on our side but if there is a disallowed goal in such a tight game we have to take the point."
On the decision being clear and obvious: "It's not clear and obvious. If the referee gives handball during the game, I think the VAR shouldn't intervene, You needed four different angles and then you guessed that he probably touched the ball with his arm. The VAR should say to stay with the onfield decision because it is about strengthening the referee. Stick to the onfield decision. We had a big chance before half-time with Morgan [Gibbs-White] but we didn't take it so on the other side if we take our clear chances we had, I think we should have won the game."
Did you know?
Nottingham Forest have failed to win their opening three matches of a campaign for the very first time in the Premier League, while it is the first time in the top-flight since 1990-91.
Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner is winless in his last 10 Premier League games (drawn five, lost five), with this the longest league run without a win in his managerial career since May 2023 with Eintracht Frankfurt (also 10).
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on your smart speaker. Just say "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play Nottingham Forest v Tottenham" or "Alexa, ask BBC Sounds to play the Aston Villa match", for example.
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Sutton's predictions: Nottingham Forest v Tottenhampublished at 11:01 BST 5 September
11:01 BST 5 September
Nottingham Forest are waiting for their first win under Oliver Glasner but I felt they were unlucky to lose against Leeds and also to only draw at Liverpool.
I have been very disappointed with Roberto de Zerbi's Tottenham so far, however, and not just because of their poor results.
When he came in at Brighton, De Zerbi built an amazing team in a short space of time and they were great to watch even if they made a few mistakes along the way.
In contrast, we still don't know what his Spurs team are about, even though they have spent an absolute fortune on players.
I think that's on De Zerbi because, although new players take time to gel, his side have put in two really insipid performances so far.
He has put that down to the team not being fully fit and blamed their pre-season schedule, but they should still be doing much better than they are - with no points and no goals so far.
Other clubs, with new managers as well as lots of new players, look much more organised so it is not an excuse.
Still, Spurs have surely got to improve soon, which is why I have got them down to pick up a first point here.
Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:03 BST 4 September
19:03 BST 4 September
Roberto de Zerbi's Tottenham, who have lost both league games this season without scoring, now face a Nottingham Forest side who have beaten them in each of their last four encounters. BBC Sport takes a look at the key themes ahead of Saturday's meeting at the City Ground (15:00 BST).
"It's the biggest problem, it's the biggest challenge and it's the biggest target to find the right mentality," De Zerbi said as he reflected on Spurs' defeat to Newcastle that left them bottom of the table.
No points or goals from their two league games so far is not the start they envisaged after spending more than £300m on 10 new players this summer, but their beleaguered boss pointedly said: "You can't buy mentality in the transfer market."
Despite their squad being refreshed by nearly a full team of new recruits, scars clearly remain at the club following their back-to-back 17th-place finishes and a dismal record of just 21 wins from 78 top-flight games (D16, L41) since the start of the 2024-25 season.
Another telling statistic that points towards a lack of fight is that it's nearly two years since the last time they won a Premier League game from going 1-0 down. They've lost 28 and drawn eight after conceding first dating back to a 4-1 victory over Aston Villa in November 2024.
De Zerbi's team selections have also raised eyebrows so far. Mitigation comes in the form of a few key players not yet being fully fit, but picking Pedro Porro as an advanced right winger, Conor Gallagher as a 10 against Brentford and chopping and changing his midfield is yet to pay dividends.
They will now attempt to avoid losing their first three league games in a campaign for only the fifth time in their history and for only the second time without scoring since the start of the 1974-75 season.
The Lilywhites will have to rectify their poor recent record against a Nottingham Forest side who are targeting a fifth league win in a row against the north Londoners for the very first time, having won both league meetings 3-0 last season.
After they opened the season with successive defeats to Leeds, Forest steadied the ship with an impressive showing in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield in which their xG of 2.3 comfortably outstripped that of the hosts' 1.61.
To the fore in that game was Morgan Gibbs-White, with the former Spurs target scoring his 13th Premier League goal of 2026 - the highest figure of any top-flight player this year.
While the Tricky Trees may not have secured all of their transfer targets, a significantly quieter summer than in recent years still brought in quality to the City Ground.
Following the mega sale of Elliot Anderson, they actually turned in a profit despite spending nearly £120m themselves on the likes of club record signing Liam Delap, Sporting Lisbon defender Ousmane Diomande and one of the Premier League's best right-backs in Daniel Munoz.
Head coach Oliver Glasner will be keen to get the club back to winning ways at home given they've managed just one victory in their last 12 top-flight games at the City Ground.
Following their loss to Leeds on the opening weekend they will also be desperate to protect an impressive record of having not lost their first two home games of a top-flight campaign since 1924-25.
One of the tactical tweaks that's starting to emerge as Glasner moulds his team is them becoming more direct with their passing. Despite a small sample size of two matches, 20.9% of their passes have gone long which is up from last season's average of just 12.5%.
Forest defender Williams pens four-year dealpublished at 19:00 BST 4 September
19:00 BST 4 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,
Neco Williams started his career at Liverpool and also had a loan spell at Fulham in 2022
Defender Neco Williams has signed a new contract at Nottingham Forest until 2030.
The club had been looking to extend the Wales international's contract, despite him only signing another last summer.
It is essentially a one-year extension with his previous deal expiring in 2029.
Tottenham had been interested but Forest were looking for a significant fee and Williams, 25, has now committed his future to the City Ground.
George Syrianos, chief football officer, said: "Neco has been one of the best players in his position in the Premier League.
"His reliability, consistency and continued determination to improve explain why he has become such a loved player by both his team-mates and the supporters.
"We want to continue developing and growing as a club, and a big part of that process is making sure our top-performing players are committed to the club.
"We are delighted he has signed a new deal and look forward to seeing him continue in a Forest shirt."
Left-back Williams has made 163 appearances for Forest, scoring four goals, since arriving from Liverpool for £17m in 2022.
🎧Is Forest's squad stronger or just smaller?published at 18:52 BST 4 September
18:52 BST 4 September
A new episode of the Shut Up And Show More Football is now available to listen to and download on BBC Sounds.
In it, BBC Radio Nottingham's David Jackson and Colin Fray discuss Forest's squad after deadline day, plus they chat with new club-record £50m signing Liam Delap.
"The sale of Elliot Anderson was inevitable from the end of last season and nobody was surprised he went for fabulous money," Fray told the podcast.
"It fits the sales profile that Forest have started to do over the past few years with one big sale. It was Anthony Elanga last year and Brennan Johnson the year before.
"It's almost as if this is they way they're going about it and they expect to have to make a big sale to keep spending the way that they have done.
"After making that big sale it's about making sure the other prized assets stay."
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
'I really believe in the manager and the club' - Delappublished at 14:38 BST 4 September
14:38 BST 4 September
Image source, Getty Images
Liam Delap says Oliver Glasner played a big part in his decision to sign for Nottingham Forest because he feels he "can really improve" under his coaching.
The 23-year-old striker was made available for sale this summer by Chelsea after he scored just one Premier League goal in a 2025-26 campaign disrupted by shoulder and hamstring injuries.
Delap's frustrating season was off the back of a hugely successful one at Ipswich Town in which he scored 12 goals in 37 Premier League games.
Determined to return to his former form, Delap said he chose the City Ground this summer because "the manager and the club have got a really good trajectory".
"I really believe in the manager and the club," Delap told East Midlands Today. "And with the right support I think we can do really well.
"I've spoken to him [Glasner] a few times now and every time I've been impressed. He can really improve me as a player and that's why I'm here."
On how he dealt with the challenges of last season, Delap said: "You always have that motivation inside, but football isn't as easy as just going straight to the top.
"You probably learn a lot more when things are bad, and of course, it was a difficult season.
"I have incredible support around me and that really helps to keep my mind in a good place."
'Gibbs-White is a special player'published at 10:32 BST 4 September
10:32 BST 4 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
There is no doubt former Wolves youngster Morgan Gibbs-White is one of the Premier League's form players this calendar year.
He has been directly involved in 20 club goals in 2026 (15 goals, five assists), which is the joint-most of any Premier League player in all competitions - along with Erling Haaland.
Yet Gibbs-White has outscored the Manchester City striker, who has 10, with the Forest's star's 13 Premier League goals in 2026 the most of any player.
It was a vastly improved performance from Gibbs-White and Forest at Anfield on Saturday, after their opening two defeats by Leeds in the Premier League and Carabao Cup - with the skipper missing the 2-0 cup defeat through injury.
On his return at Anfield he covered 11.4km, the third highest of the team, and was tied first with 16 sprints - while his expected goals of 0.79 also topped Forest's stats.
"He is not just defined by the number of goals he scored or assists," said Forest boss Oliver Glasner.
"I know how he is working for the team out of possession, how he creates the space with some runs and movements.
"It is as important as scoring a goal. When you need a special moment in the game you usually need a special player, and Morgan is definitely a special player."
Glasner on signing Munoz, Delap's impact and Tottenhampublished at 15:46 BST 3 September
15:46 BST 3 September
Media caption,
Nottingham Forest boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Tottenham at the City Ground (15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Glasner confirmed Daniel Munoz could make his debut after his move from Crystal Palace but the Colombia defender is still working towards full fitness: "He is available. He arrived late after the World Cup and had a short pre-season. He played in a mask at Everton because he had surgery on his nose for his breathing."
More on signing Munoz, who Glasner managed at Crystal Palace: "We want to add quality and mentality, and Daniel Munoz has proven both in the Premier League and also at the World Cup. He is very reliable, his mentality is incredible but also it will take time for him to settle in and know everyone. As soon as we were informed he was available then we knew it could be a great addition and the club worked hard to find a solution."
Glasner has been pleased with fellow summer signing Liam Delap's impact so far: "We can see he is not in a match rhythm but his impact in the Liverpool game was really good. The second goal comes from his running, his power, and also his quick throw-in. His physical presence, his runs, his power - that is what we have seen, especially when he played for Ipswich. He showed that in 30 minutes at Liverpool so it is good to have him here."
He was asked if he is happy with Forest's summer business: "I'm very happy and very pleased with how the transfer window went. We wanted to reduce the number of players and also adding quality players with top character. I think we achieved everything."
On the challenge posed by Roberto De Zerbi's Spurs: "They have many options. They have invested massively in their squad and that makes it difficult to know who will probably start. On the other side, De Zerbi has a clear way he plays with his teams. That makes it a little bit easier to prepare. The patterns are very obvious. They have certain ways we expect them to press us and that is how we prepare the team."
On Forest's record of only winning one of their past 12 home league games: "The next opportunity is on Saturday. At the end the approach is always the same - go out and win the game. Especially in front of your fans at home. But, sometimes if you want it too much it goes the opposite way. The most important thing is not to think about records too much in a positive or negative way. It can become a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Hit play above to hear more from Glasner, talking to BBC Radio Nottingham, or listen on BBC Sounds here
A record-breaking transfer windowpublished at 07:01 BST 3 September
07:01 BST 3 September
Steve Sutcliffe, Emlyn Begley and Gary Rose BBC Sport journalists
Media caption,
Premier League clubs have broke their all-time summer transfer record with spending reaching £3.49bn.
A total of £506.5m was spent on deadline day itself, up from £391m last year.
The total amount spent during the window considerably dwarfs the £1.13bn spent by clubs just five years ago and underlines the power top English clubs have to attract talent, according to figures provided to BBC Sport by Paul Macdonald, founder of FootballTransfers.com.
Three of the 10 most expensive signings in the history of football have happened this summer – with all of them being Premier League signings. In fact, this summer window featured four of the top flight's five most expensive ever deals.
So maybe it is not surprising then that of the 20 most expensive transfers completed, only six were not to clubs in the English top flight.
Indeed, newly-promoted Ipswich have spent more on new signings than the likes of Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus and reigning European champions PSG.
Premier League clubs as a whole were willing to dip deep into their pockets this summer, as 11 of the 20 clubs broke their transfer records, six of them on more than one occasion.
Coventry, promoted to the Premier League alongside Ipswich and Hull, have done so four times over.
Forest appoint new chief executive published at 16:54 BST 2 September
16:54 BST 2 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest have appointed former Olympiacos vice president Theodore Giannikos as chief executive.
He replaces Lina Souloukou who stepped down from the role at the City Ground at the end of last season.
A statement from the club said Giannikos "will lead the club's strategic direction and oversee the delivery of its long-term ambitions, both on and off the pitch".
He worked at Fifa as director of strategic partnerships and media projects and was director of legal strategic projects and director of Member Associations Services during a decade at world football's governing body.
Giannikos also served as an executive board member of the European Club Association (ECA) from 2012 to 2016.
Smaller but stronger - Fray on Glasner's Forest squadpublished at 15:19 BST 2 September
15:19 BST 2 September
Colin Fray BBC Radio Nottingham reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest negotiated a total of five incomings over the summer transfer window.
Two players came in on free transfers; Xaver Schlager, who Oliver Glasner very much wanted, and Steven Benda, who has strengthened the goalkeeping cover a little bit - but there have also been some big money signings.
The club has spent £22m on Daniel Munoz, a potential club-record £50m on Liam Delap and £34m on Ousmane Diomande. All of which are players Glasner wanted. All of which will fit into his system.
When we cast our minds back, Glasner was very insistent that he wanted to sign two players before the end of the transfer window. Those two players have turned out to be Delap and Munoz, so he will be happy with the squad he has got.
A lot of fans might look at the squad and feel it is a bit thin. There are currently 23 senior players, plus Jair Cunha, so there are two slots to fill on that squad list.
That being said, I don't detect any discontent from Glasner about the business that has been done. They have essentially had a window for him.
After the Carabao Cup tie against Leeds United, he did say: "Let's see how the squad looks at the end of the transfer window; then if we need to change the shape, we will change the shape."
When you look at what's happened at the end of the transfer window - with the likes of natural wingers Dilane Bakwa and Omari Hutchinson going out on loan - it has very much been a case of Glasner-style players coming in.
I don't think we will see a change of shape now. If you look at the current squad, it is very much tailored to a 3-5-2 formation.
Maybe they are a central defender short but there are only 16 games until the next window opens, free agents are available, and other squad members can fill in if needed.
I don't think he ever wanted wholesale changes because I think he was fairly happy with the squad he inherited anyway, but they have added quality in the areas he specifically highlighted.
The fact that Forest didn't feel the need to sign anybody on deadline day just kind of says it all about the difference in approach this time around.
But the proof in the pudding will be in the eating, so we will see how Glasner and his squad cope with the next 16 Premier League games.
In my opinion, the current squad is small but stronger than it was at the start of the transfer window, with the caveat of not really ever wanting to lose a player like Elliot Anderson.
Glasner can now start to shape Forestpublished at 13:13 BST 2 September
13:13 BST 2 September
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Quality over quantity was Nottingham Forest's plan this summer.
Oliver Glasner prefers to work with a small squad so there was never going to be a huge influx, as in previous years.
Liam Delap's £50m arrival and the successful £34m pursuit of Ousmane Diomande adds depth and quality in key areas.
Glasner will look for Diomande to slot alongside Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic in a back three while Daniel Munoz has followed him from Crystal Palace and puts Ola Aina's position under threat at right-back.
Delap is the perfect long-term replacement for Chris Wood and should be able to rediscover momentum and form after his Chelsea nightmare with regular games at Forest.
Xaver Schlager is someone Glasner knows and trusts from their time at Wolfsburg together, even if there was no headline replacement to fill the void left by Elliot Anderson.
With no European football the squad will be able to handle the demands following last season's run to the Europa League semi-finals, which left them decimated by the time they played Aston Villa in their heavy second leg defeat.
There is an unusual familiarity to the squad, especially following last summer's 13 arrivals, and Glasner has stated he is not a magician and to not expect instant results. Now however, he has the chance and the time to shape his team.
Image source, Getty Images
