Latest Nottingham Forest verdict as Sean Dyche's Reds draw 0-0 with Sturm Graz in Europa League clash
07:23, 07 Nov 2025
Nikola Milenkovic during Nottingham Forest vs Sturm Graz
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Nikola Milenkovic during Nottingham Forest vs Sturm Graz(Image: AP Photo/Darko Bandic)
At the final whistle it was clear which of these two teams was the happier with a point as Nottingham Forest drew 0-0 away to Sturm Graz.
The hosts orchestrated a thunder clap in front of their fans as they celebrated keeping Sean Dyche’s side at bay. The Reds applauded their supporters, too, but there was an air of frustration at not returning from Austria with more to show for their endeavours.
Familiar issues were evident for Forest at the Merkur Arena. This was a potentially valuable point on the road but Dyche was left with mixed emotions afterwards.
Turning around the Reds’ form, he has frequently admitted, is not a case of simply flicking a switch. Much like tackling Graz’s famous Schlossberg hill, it is an uphill task for the Reds. Below, NottinghamshireLive looks at some of the big talking points from Thursday’s Europa League stalemate.
Drawing a blank
Goals have been hard to come by all season for Forest. The issue stretches back to the tail end of last term, too.
They had plenty of chances against Graz - ‘golden ones’ as Dyche referred to them. James McAtee should have buried one early on, Ryan Yates had a header cleared off the line and Nicolas Dominguez hit the bar at the death.
And then there was Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty. The playmaker looked like a man still short of confidence as his strike lacked conviction and was easy for the goalkeeper to save.
“He's alright,” Dyche said of Gibbs-White’s spurned spot-kick afterwards. “It's part of the job isn't it? If you're brave enough to take them, you've got to be brave enough to miss them. He'll be fine, I'm sure.”
The longer-term matter, of course, is how to get the Reds’ number 10 flying again after an evening where little went right for him. When he is on form, he makes Forest tick. Somehow Dyche needs to get him back to that.
Strength in depth?
European football was always going to be a test of Forest’s resources. Injuries and unavailability only added to Dyche’s challenge this time around.
He insisted the seven changes he made were not done with Sunday’s big clash against Leeds United in mind. He certainly had no choice over some of them, but others were surely with half an eye on this weekend. It is a crucial match, after all.
The lack of game time some of the Reds’ fringe players have had this season showed in Austria. There was an air of rustiness about some of them and an evident lack of connection going forward.
Dyche has not hit the fact he feels Forest’s fitness levels need to improve. Arnaud Kalimuendo, on his first start for the club, being forced off with cramp rather proved his point. McAtee had already made way by that point, having faded after a bright start.
This was a big opportunity for several players as they were handed their chance by Dyche. Not many of them grasped it with both hands.
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Solid at the back
After the Reds had been leaking goals prior to his arrival, tightening up defensively was a priority for Dyche. He can take encouragement from a solid clean-sheet in Graz.
Back-up stopper John Victor didn’t exactly convince as he spilled a couple of shots he should have dealt with. He was rescued by the offside flag on the first occasion, with the officials ruling out Maurice Malone’s tap-in, and then his defence helped him out the second time around.
On the whole, though, Forest’s back line was not severely tested. Graz had a few threatening moments but they were mostly dealt with.
Nikola Milenkovic, Morato and Nicolo Savona were all steady while Ibrahim Sangare, in particular, added protection from midfield. And then there were was Neco Williams, who is already making a strong case for the Reds’ player of the season award. The Welshman isn’t just consistent, he is consistently excellent.
Zach Abbott, too, impressed during his short time on the pitch. It was a proud moment for the youngster, getting a taste of European action, although it said much about Forest’s shortage of options that two centre-backs were brought on.
Next up
European nights are always special. This one didn’t end with the result the visitors wanted, but these games will still be savoured as part of the Reds’ continental adventure.
In the region of 1,400 supporters travelled to Austria. They certainly made themselves heard, even over Graz’s noisy home crowd and drum. It was non-stop singing and an electric atmosphere all round.
But the Premier League is Forest’s bread and butter, as Dyche refers to it. There is a huge game to come at the City Ground on Sunday.
It is early in the season but this weekend’s clash with Leeds feels important. The international break will come as a relief to Dyche and his staff as they look to get some bodies back, but a win before then would definitely boost the mood.
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