As starts to a season go, that which has engulfed those connected to Nottingham Forest has been, challenging, to say the least, both on-and-off the field of play.

A first European adventure since the mid-nineties now just around the corner was highlighted even more by the Crystal Palace-Nottingham Forest/Europa League-Conference League saga, the Reds finally being upgraded to the ‘more lucrative’ Europa League.

In addition to that off-field soap opera, there was the small matter of the transfer window as well, the Reds, then under now former manager Nuno Espirito Santo, seeing as many incomings as there were outgoings, both totalling around the twenty-plus mark – yes, it was that busy.

Then came the start to the season itself, and a chance to get a first look at least at some of those new signings as Murillo, Dan Ndoye, and Igor Jesus all appeared in the opening day, 3-1 win at home to Brentford.

However, it was an old favourite who stole the plaudits, last season’s top scorer, Chris Wood, netting a brace in a devastating, first half showing; summer signing Ndoye also chipping in with a debut goal.

That result was followed up the following weekend with a perhaps nervy, yet feisty, 1-1 draw away to Crystal Palace, Callum Hudson-Odoi equalising early in the second half when played through by Ndoye.

It was around this time behind-the-scenes noise emerged that all was not well between then-manager, Espirito Santo, and club owner Evangelos Marinakis, and the way in which the Reds capitulated at home to West Ham United, in the game before the international break, proved the death knell for the managers near two years at the helm.

Goalless heading into the final ten minutes, the hosting Reds proceeded to concede three goals, by Jarrod Bowen, Lucas Paqueta, and Callum Wilson, to lose 3-0 against a struggling Hammers.

Espirito Santos’ Forest though came to an end in early September, with Marinakis appointing former Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur boss, Ange Postecogulo, his first game, after just two days at the club, a 3-0 loss in the capital against league leaders, Arsenal (Liverpool returned to the top in the Sunday afternoon game), for whom Martin Zubimendi netted his first goals for the Gunners, Viktor Gyokeres also netting.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST (vs. Arsenal; 13.09.2025) Matz Sels, Neco Williams, Murillo (Nicolo Savona, 37), Morata, Ibrahim Sangare (Ryan Yates, 73), Elliot Anderson, Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White (capt; James McAtee, 73), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Arnaud Kalimuendo, 60), Chris Wood (Dilane Bakwa, 60)

Like at his former club, Spurs, new Reds boss, Postecoglou, does have a talented squad in which to play with; numerous nationalities which includes several Brazilians (6), and some rather talented English players.

There’s also the small matter of a number of African stars in there who could well be called up for the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, this coming winter, the Reds having two from both the Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

Speaking of international stars, an English player receiving deserved plaudits after the last break earlier this month was midfielder, Elliot Anderson, who, as a product of the north-east’s famous Wallsend Boys Club, joined the Reds last summer from his boyhood club, Newcastle United.

He’s come on leaps-and-bounds in the Forest midfield, starred as England U21s won the 2025 UEFA European Championship, scoring a penalty in the quarter-final win over Spain, before being called up to the senior team for the recent of the World Cup qualifiers.

England manager, Thomas Tuchel gave Anderson his international debut against Andorra, and his second cap shortly after as the midfielder starred in the 5-0 demolition of Sebria, in Belgrade.

The 22-year-old continues to show his class, and talent, for both club and country, and will no doubt have a vital role to play, for both, over the coming months, and years, with Tuchel saying of his arrival on the international stage that he is: “A regular player for Nottingham Forest and had a fantastic season.

“He is excited to come join us and hope he can make a mark.”

Despite the perhaps expected defeat to Arsenal, Postecoglou will be looking to not only turn things around quickly for his new employers, but also instil his own way on the club, his own style, and get the Reds moving forward.

That begins this coming Wednesday (17 September) night as the Reds cross into Wales, to face Championship side Swansea City, in the third round of the Carabao Cup, before a trip to Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday (20 September) afternoon.

Then it’s the start of the European adventure, and the trip to sunny Spain, on Wednesday 24 September, as Postecoglou’s charges face a Real Betis side sitting (at time of writing) tenth in La Liga, with a win and two draws from their opening four games.

There’ll be no time to rest on their laurels either, the Reds finally making a first appearance under their new manager, at the City Ground, at the end of the month when Sunderland visit Trentside on Saturday 27 September, and an evening kick-off.

*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).

*Main image @NFFC Ange Postecoglou got off to a tricky start in defeat at Arsenal.