Nottingham Forest’s home woes continue as Glasner seeks first win at the City Ground

Oliver Glasner’s early tenure at Nottingham Forest has been defined by a familiar frustration: the team cannot win at home. After Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Tottenham, Forest have now won only one of their last 13 Premier League matches at the City Ground, a run that stretches back through the tenures of two previous managers.

The Austrian head coach, appointed in July, saw his side denied a potential winner when Neco Williams’ goal was ruled out by VAR for handball. Glasner described the decision as a “guess,” arguing that match officials should not make such impactful calls when they are not certain. The result leaves Forest still searching for their first home goal under Glasner, let alone a victory.

“It is far too soon for the legacy problems that Oliver Glasner has inherited at Nottingham Forest to be used as a stick to beat him with,” The Athletic reports. Yet the record is hard to ignore. Forest’s sole win in that 13-game stretch came in April, a 4-1 victory over Burnley. Before that, you have to go back to December 14 for a home league win, when they beat Tottenham 3-0.

The decline of the City Ground as a fortress

Not so long ago, the City Ground was one of the Premier League’s most intimidating venues. Under Steve Cooper, Forest relied on home form to survive in 2022-23, claiming 30 of their 38 points on home soil. The stadium delivered crucial wins against Leeds, Brighton, Southampton and Arsenal.

When Nuno Espirito Santo led Forest to European qualification in 2024-25, the pattern continued. Brighton were hammered 7-0, while Manchester City and Manchester United both left Nottingham with 1-0 defeats. The atmosphere was described as a “wall of noise” that visiting teams struggled to handle.

Last season, with four different managers in charge, the fortress began to crack. Forest won only four home games all season, edging to Premier League safety by a narrow margin. An opening-day win over Brentford was followed by a long wait until November for the next home victory, against Leeds.

Glasner’s challenge is to restore that fear factor. “Nuno and Cooper both utilised that wall of noise to good effect; Glasner’s challenge is to do the same,” the analysis notes.

Bright spots in a frustrating start

Despite the result, there were positives for Forest. Neco Williams, fresh from signing a contract extension until 2030, impressed at left wing-back. Xaver Schlager brought industry to midfield, while James McAtee grew into the game and delivered several dangerous set pieces.

New signing Liam Delap, who joined from Chelsea for £45 million, made his first start and showed promise. His well-weighted pass sent Morgan Gibbs-White clear for Forest’s best chance of the match. The early signs suggest the two could form a productive partnership. Daniel Munoz, another recent arrival, added energy from the bench.

“Forest do not look like a side without either quality or firepower,” the report states. The issue is converting that potential into goals and points at home.

What comes next

Forest face two consecutive opponents who have yet to score a Premier League goal this season. They travel to Aston Villa on Saturday before hosting Coventry City on September 19. The Coventry match, coming before the extended international break, is already being viewed as a pivotal moment for Glasner’s tenure.

A first home win would do more than just improve the table position. It would begin to repair a reputation that has been steadily eroding since Forest’s return to the top flight. For a club that has built its recent success on the strength of the City Ground, restoring that advantage is essential.

Forest sources, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships, say Glasner has made a positive impact on the dressing room since his appointment. But results, particularly at home, will ultimately define his early months at the club.

Source: The Athletic – https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7568687/2026/09/07/nottingham-forest-home-record-analysis/