Chris Sutton expects Nottingham Forest Vs Leeds to be shaped by one simple question: how quickly can Oliver Glasner settle a team that has already seen enough upheaval? Forest went through four managers last season and still stayed up, but Sutton suggested this latest reset is another reminder of how quickly things can change.
Speaking on Radio 5 Live, Sutton described the club as “knee-jerk Nottingham Forest” and said it will be fascinating to see how Glasner begins. That is a fair reflection of the challenge. Forest have shown they can survive turbulence, but survival is one thing; building something stable is another.
Glasner’s first test
Glasner is now in charge of Nottingham Forest for the match against Leeds, and Sutton pointed to the shape and methods he may bring with him. He said Glasner usually used a 3-4-3 at Crystal Palace, but has also said he works with what he has got. That matters here because Forest have had different managers and different styles in the same season, which can leave players trying to adapt on the fly.
There is also the broader issue of expectation. Forest got to the Europa League semi-finals last season, so this is not a club whose ambitions are limited to simply staying afloat. A new manager brings a reset, but he also inherits standards that are not easy to ignore.
Why Leeds add another layer
Leeds arrive with a different kind of pressure. Daniel Farke kept them up last year, and Sutton noted that their hopes of staying out of trouble look higher after their signings. That does not make this a straightforward assignment for Forest, though. It simply means both sides have reasons to believe this is a fixture they can use to set a tone early.
Sutton said: “It will be very interesting to see how Forest start, and how Glasner fares. Will he still be there in September?” It is a sharp line, but the point is clear. This is not just about one match. It is about whether Forest can finally settle, or whether another short-term reaction is already waiting around the corner.
What to watch for
The key names will matter. Chris Wood’s return from injury could be important for Forest, while Elliot Anderson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi give Glasner options to build around. For Leeds, the focus will be on how Daniel Farke balances the side after their summer work.
In matches like this, early control matters almost as much as the result. If Forest start well, Glasner can build some calm. If they do not, the questions will come quickly. That is the reality Sutton was getting at: the manager change is the story, but the performance will decide how long the story lasts.
