‘This team had a relegation battle for nine months’ – Glasner says Nottingham Forest cannot ‘ignore the reality’ | OneFootball

Oliver Glasner says Nottingham Forest cannot “ignore the reality” after their 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Leeds.

Forest were knocked out of the competition at the City Ground as goals from Daniel James and James Justin secured Leeds’ progress.

The Forest boss believes expectations around the club must be realistic following a turbulent campaign last season and their opening day Premier League defeat, also to Leeds.

“This is a little bit the assessment after six weeks here that maybe, and not just in the team, it’s maybe in the club, that there’s a little bit of ignoring the reality,” Glasner said.

“Right now, we are far away from where we want to be and where I’m really convinced we will be.

“It’s in these situations, when it becomes emotional, I always go back to the facts.

“The fact is that this team had a relegation battle for nine months, a very turbulent season and it ended with a huge effort to stay in the league, and this is our starting point.”

Glasner also stressed that he was not looking to blame anyone, but insisted Forest’s squad needs time and further work before they can realistically challenge for European places.

“It’s really very important not to blame anybody because sometimes I tell them facts and they say, ‘Oh, Glasner is complaining’,” he added.

“No, no, no. But then maybe your best midfielder leaves the club and now we expect we compete for European places because Oliver Glasner is in.

“Sorry, this is what I can’t deliver within six weeks.”