Nottingham Forest suffered a 2-0 defeat to Leeds United in the EFL Cup second round at the City Ground this week. Goals from Dan James and James Justin sealed the loss, which follows a Premier League defeat to the same side just three days earlier.
Forest currently sit 15th in the Premier League table with zero points from one game, having scored no goals and conceded one. They are three points behind early leaders Brighton. The club's next challenge is a trip to face Liverpool, who are 10th, on 29 August.
What happened in the match?
Leeds United broke the deadlock five minutes into the second half when Dan James found the net in the 50th minute. The visitors doubled their advantage with a quarter of an hour remaining, as James Justin scored in the 75th minute to secure a 2-0 victory. This result means Leeds have now won twice at the City Ground in the space of four days, ending a run that had seen them fail to win there since 1972 prior to last weekend's league encounter.
New manager Oliver Glasner has seen his team's campaign begin in a way he did not want, with things yet to click on the pitch. The42 reported on the match, noting the comprehensive nature of the defeat. Forest's early-season form is a concern, with the team showing a lack of cutting edge in the final third.
How is the squad shaping up?
Despite the on-field struggles, the club is active in the transfer market. According to The42, a deal has been agreed to sign Chelsea striker Liam Delap for a reported fee of £45 million (€52.6 million). This significant investment signals the club's intent to bolster their attacking options. Further additions are expected before the window closes as Glasner looks to mould the squad to his liking.
You can view the full roster and any new arrivals on the club's squad page. The current league standings show the scale of the task ahead for Forest to climb the table.
What comes next for Forest?
The immediate focus shifts to a difficult away fixture against Liverpool. This match presents a major test for Glasner's side as they search for their first points and goals of the Premier League season. Preparations for that game will be key, and the potential arrival of new signings like Delap could provide a timely boost.
The consecutive defeats to Leeds highlight the work needed to improve performances. The manager will be keen to integrate any new players quickly and find a winning formula. Fans can track the team's upcoming schedule, including the Liverpool match, on our fixtures list. The club's objective is clear: to turn their form around swiftly.
