Weekend Review - Leeds United squared

Last August, on their opening day meeting with Brentford at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest looked fit, fluid and ferocious in a 3-1 victory, paving the way for a positive season ahead.

As we now know, a relegation battle and four managers later, that win did not preempt the tumultuous season that was to come.

Similarly, Oliver Glasner’s first competitive match as Forest manager — a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United in the 88th minute after a far from fruitful display — is not one to provoke mass frenzy, despite there being plenty of reasons to hold caution and concern.

Predominately finding the midfield. Ibrahim Sangaré and James McAtee’s influence on the game was minimal — the latter had the third-fewest touches of any starting outfield player, albeit he was substituted with 15 minutes to play.

When they were found, it was often once Forest had played through the channels rather than from defence, and the early signs were that constant availability of the now departed Elliot Anderson will be missed more than was once perhaps thought.

Nikola Milenkovic looked physically and mentally overwhelmed with the increase in his involvement as the basis of all attacks, and Forest only created one notable chance from open play, which substitute Chris Wood ought to have snaffles.

Results are the integral statistic, but without Anton Stach’s late winner, the performance would likely have been viewed as rusty but after a largely and equal contest, almost an extension of pre season.

The mood can rightly be apprehensive after game one, but go back to that Brentford game, and look at where they ended up.

That day, the West London side looked undercooked and disjointed under the new management of Keith Andrews — far worse than Forest performed against Leeds. Yet Andrews’ men would go on to finish ninth, one goal away from Europe, and began this season against Tottenham Hotspur looking like one of the most well oiled machines in the league.

So it’s all about patience. Glasner will be frustrated with his side’s display more than most, but the match will be the biggest learning instance of his tenure so far the initial teething problems were to be expected.

Looking ahead to Tuesday’s rematch in the second round of the Carabao Cup, and changes afoot are to be expected.

Matz Sels will be disappointed to have not saved Leeds’ winner having got a hand to Stach’s effort, so — given that there is no Stefan Ortega figure behind him this season competing for minutes on merit — there’s a distinct chance the Belgian could remain between the sticks.

Beyond him, Forest still have the bulk of a squad assembled to tackle European football, and players vying to make an impression on their new head coach — especially after the uninspiring nature of his opening day ‘first choice’ eleven.

Glasner would likely have wanted to field Yates in the middle of a back three, a pre season experiment that suited the 28-year-old club captain and Forest’s system, but having missed Saturdays xi through injury, that looks in doubt.

New signings Xaver Schlager and Ousmane Diomande will likely make their full debuts, and after Glanser confirmed French striker Arnaud Kalimuendo would remain at the club unless a big-money move away materialised, the 24-year-old looks set to make his first fourth Forest start since arriving on a £26m deal from Rennes last summer.

My predicted lineup: Sels; Diomande, Cunha, Morato; Da Silva Moreira, Schlager, Dominguez, Netz; Hudson-Odoi, Kalimuendo, Wood.