Have we seen Forest in a 'new light'?
We asked for your views on one thing nobody is talking about at Nottingham Forest.Here are some of your comments:Gary: Why, with such a strong position and influence in Greece with the ownership, has the club failed so far to identify and capture any of the emerging Greek talent? Players like Pavlidis who is now potentially out of reach at 100m euros. Tzolis and Karetsas may however still represent value?Mark: The absence of Ola Aina is more important than a lot of people think. He is a lynchpin in the dressing room and builds up team spirit and morale prior to every game. You just need to see his dancing routines on social media and the camaraderie it instils. We need him back as soon as possible.David: Who is going to replace Chris Wood next season? At 34 years of age he probably hasn't got another season like this one in him - has he?Chappers: Forest are not used to going behind much this season. So chasing the game against an extremely good Villa side felt like something new. It also revealed the Forest team in a new light. They might not have earned points from the encounter, but it was really interesting to see them play attacking football in the second half. They carved out multiple chances and demonstrated the ability to play in a totally different way. This can only bode well moving forward for the Reds.Jez: Apart from a recent run of tough and long games, Forest have had very few injuries. By playing out of possession and then hitting teams on the break, they are not chasing the game for 90 mins like other teams. Teams like Spurs, who play fast attacking and exciting football, have had loads of injuries and have suffered. Forest play attacking, measured and exciting football with very few injuries.Tim: The number of clearances off the line made by Forest - a league high of nine this season. This shows just how dogged our defence has been and how many extra points their last ditch defending has saved.
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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Legendary BBC presenter quietly bows out after almost 50 years of TV hosting
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The National
an hour ago
- The National
Naismith on Rangers' 'hostile' UCL trip and key Martin aim
Greek giants Panathinaikos lie in wait for the Ibrox club in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. A trip to face the Athens-based side was one of Naismith's most memorable as a Rangers player for all the right and wrong reasons. "That was one of the most hostile places ever," he said. "It was on the run to the UEFA Cup Final. I remember, even from the warm-up, Gate 13, where the tunnel is. That's where the Ultras are. Naively, I was laughing and joking, coming out for the warm-up. But the next minute, there were glass bottles, coins, all sorts getting launched at us. Every time you went near the tunnel, you had to sprint in and sprint out. It was really hostile, that's my biggest memory of it. The night turned out to be really good for us, with Nacho [Novo] coming on and scoring to make it 1-1. It was a brilliant environment to play in, but very hostile. Read more: "You can talk about an atmosphere but until you're in it and experience it, it's just words. When you do experience it, it's a case of what way are you going? Are you intimidated or do you think this is good? That's the real root of whether you're going to be a success at Rangers or Celtic. It's about mentality. Do you go into that environment and think I'm up for that, I like a bit of this - or do you say, don't give me the ball because I'm scared? If it's the latter, you won't be a success." In drawing Panathinaikos, Rangers missed out on facing Servette of Switzerland and Norwegian champions Brann. "When you look at the teams they could have got, it's definitely the toughest opposition," added Naismith. "On top of that, you've had a takeover, a new manager and a squad rebuild that needs to happen. But as important as Champions League and European success is, if they missed out on this one but made the next 10, that's proper success. You have to understand where Rangers are at. "It's tough for any team competing in Europe. That's the toughest part, how early it is. The Old Firm have both been put out in early rounds in the past. You can train as much as you want and have friendlies - but you can't replicate that intensity of competitive football. It's going to be really difficult." New head coach Russell Martin has yet to dip his hand in European management. His possession-based, attack-minded approach could well set the heather alight in Scotland, although in the Premier League with Southampton, it failed to bear fruit. Ange Postecoglou was criticised for his refusal to switch it up on the European scene while at Celtic and Martin might face similar reproval should he remain stubborn on the continent. Regardless, his systematic style will be beneficial for his squad, according to Naismith. "It definitely makes things easier as a player when the manager has a clear, definite way of playing. "Players want simplicity in terms of their role. The style can be complex but as long as the player can understand it simply, it makes it easier. Russ' style is one that players will enjoy. The players who will find it most challenging are defenders. Because he'll ask them to do certain things and be in certain positions that can be uncomfortable. There will be a higher risk because if you're not in the right position it can be really costly. But every other player will be rubbing their hands because it's so enjoyable. "It's the way you wanted to play football growing up. He's worked on it for five years and has been successful. At every club, he's made them a better team and improved players. The proof of that is the sale of players he's worked with. They've moved on for a profit compared to when he brought them in." As well as playing alongside Martin at Norwich City, Naismith lined up with Max Aarons, who is set to become the new gaffer's first signing, all going well. "Max has got really good attributes. He's a modern-day full-back. He's not the tallest but very comfortable on the ball, quick and dynamic both going forward and defensively. "Probably the biggest thing I remember about Max is his attitude with sport. As a young player he was so deceptive to learn and get better and be better. That's why he got into a good Norwich team in the Championship and into the Premier League and eventually Barca come and ask him for you. That tells you a lot about him. "His career has maybe stumbled recently but he's definitely somebody with a high potential. He's got good experience and he's played at a really good level against some top players. I think he'd be a good signing. I think he's somebody who would raise the quality of the squad. If we go back to the previous remit, he's probably been signing young players and developing them. I think he's somebody who comes in and challenges right away." While getting his squad in a sufficient enough state to contest crucial European qualifiers is first up on Martin's Rangers agenda, Naismith thinks getting the club back to the top of the pile in Scotland must be his overarching target. In years gone by, the Govan side's ability to stumble against Scottish Premiership cannon-fodder yet pull off shock results against European teams of a considerable pedigree has been impressive. "I think success domestically has to be the first aim," admits Naismith. "It's not as clear cut as saying it's one over the other - because Rangers can have both. "But what won't be accepted is what's happened in previous years where it's been: 'Oh we've done well in Europe but we're 10 or 15 points behind in the league'. That just won't wash. That's what has to change. Rangers have to beat the other teams in the league. If you look at the points they dropped against teams from the mid-to-low end of the table, it was unacceptable. That's how the gap goes from being four points - where there is still pressure on the team at the top - to that big a gap where it becomes easy and the team at the top can cruise."
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Cyriel Dessers to AEK Athens latest as Rangers star AGREES terms and ex-Gers ace tips Lawrence Shankland as replacement
A deadline has been set for progress on the transfer with pre-season about to begin DESSTINEY Cyriel Dessers to AEK Athens latest as Rangers star AGREES terms and ex-Gers ace tips Lawrence Shankland as replacement Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AEK ATHENS are pushing hard to tie up a deal for Cyriel Dessers within the next 48 hours. And former Rangers star Steven Naismith reckons Lawrence Shankland would be a 'safe bet' to replace the striker's goals at Ibrox. Sign up for the Rangers newsletter Sign up 4 Rangers and AEK Athens are still yet to agree a fee for Cyriel Dessers Credit: PA 4 The Nigerian striker has agreed terms on a contract with the Greek side Credit: Getty 4 Former Gers ace and Hearts boss Steven Naismith has backed Lawrence Shankland to replace Dessers Credit: SNS Dessers, 30, has agreed terms on a three-year contract, but AEK have yet to settle on a fee with Gers. The Greek side are offering around £4million, but the new Ibrox owners want closer to £5m for the Nigeria star. AEK head to the Netherlands for a pre-season camp tomorrow and new boss Marko Nicolic wants Dessers to join them there this week. Club chiefs will look to thrash out a deal with their Gers counterparts in the next few days — with new boss Russell Martin already looking for replacements. And Naismith believes Rangers should make a last-minute play for hitman Shankland. The Scotland striker is a free agent after stalling on signing a new deal at Hearts — with West Brom and also Saudi clubs interested. Naisy bossed Shanks, 29, at the Jambos when he netted 31 times in the 2023/24 season and is shocked Rangers haven't moved for him so far. He said: 'In one respect I'm surprised. He's as safe a bet as you're going to get for scoring goals in Scotland. 'What goes against him is probably his mobility but he's just a really intelligent player now. 'He's a good link between midfield and attack as well as a goal scorer. The other dynamics, which would come into any thought of signing him, is his age. Kris Boyd explains why Celtic striker Adam Idah and Rangers' Cyriel Dessers are similar players 'He's somebody who's probably seen as being in and around his prime. Is he going to be your main striker? Is he not? 'I saw it with Kris Boyd at Rangers who was probably similar in terms of goal return. 'Walter Smith never played him in Europe and never played him in Old Firms. 'But Walter was a manager with loads of experience and know-how to handle him. 'I'm not saying Shanks is like-for-like but they're the kind of challenges you have to think about. 'In one respect it would be a free transfer but that means it's still expensive to sign players who are scoring 30 goals a season on a free. 'But I'm sure Shanks will definitely have some offers because for two seasons he's just been unbelievable.' New boss Martin will implement his possession-based style at Gers. 4 Asked if Shankland could fit in with that, Naismith said: 'I think he could. From the moment I played with Shanks at Scotland to when I was coaching him, it was about his intelligence. 'That's in terms of where he picks positions up and he's got a real finesse about his touch. 'Then he's got calmness in the final third.' SunSport revealed Martin is on the brink of agreeing a loan deal for Bournemouth right-back Max Aarons. Naismith remembers Aarons as a kid when he was playing for Norwich and reckons he can challenge skipper James Tavernier. He said: 'He's got good experience and he's played at a really good level against top players. 'He's a modern-day full back. He's not the tallest but is very comfortable on the ball, quick and dynamic going forwards and defensively. 'The biggest thing I remember about Max is his attitude was spot on.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
