The Playing System
At first glance, Glasner's preferred playing system doesn't necessarily seem to suit Nottingham. The "Tricky Trees" have mostly played with a 4-2-3-1 in recent years, although Nottingham occasionally played with a back three last season.
Glasner prefers a back three or back five. Only during his time at VfL Wolfsburg did he mainly play with a back four.
Before Glasner's arrival at Crystal Palace, the South Londoners also played with a back four, but the Salzburg native quickly established his system.
Given that the Austrian will lead the entire pre-season in the English East Midlands, an adaptation to Glasner's preferred 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3 system can also be expected at Nottingham. The current squad could also fit Glasner's system very well.
The Squad
Goalkeeper:
Last season, there was a battle for the starting spot in Forest's goal. After Matz Sels started as number one following a strong previous season, the Belgian was displaced by John Victor mid-season.
Shortly thereafter, however, the Brazilian sustained a knee injury, prompting Sels to return to goal. Victor is now fit again, so it remains to be seen whom Glasner will choose.
Central Defence:
In central defence, Nottingham has two absolute key players in Brazilian Murillo and Serbian Nikola Milenkovic, who will likely be starters under Glasner as well.
The other open position in the potential back three will be contested by the two Brazilians Jair Cunha and Morato. The two talents Zach Abbott and Tyler Bindon will enter pre-season as squad players.
Left Wing-back:
Neco Williams is likely an absolute starter on the left wing-back position, but the Welsh right-footer can also play on the right side if needed. Germany's Luca Netz would then be the first substitute on the left.
Former Bayern player Omar Richards is also unlikely to play a role under Glasner.
Right Wing-back:
On the right side, Ola Aina and Nicolo Savona are battling it out; both struggled with injuries repeatedly last season. If both are fit, Aina is likely to have a slight edge, also because he is better suited as a wing-back.
Savona, on the other hand, could also move into central defence. German talent Eric da Silva Moreira is likely to play only a minor role.
Central Midfield:
Central midfield is one of the most exciting positions at Forest. Elliot Anderson's departure has left a huge void. For now, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez are likely to be starters.
Sangare, in particular, already played an important role alongside Anderson last season. The only available substitute is the official captain Ryan Yates, but he has recently only been a substitute.
Attacking Midfield:
The two attacking midfield positions are likely to be the most exciting in terms of competition, also because Glasner has both classic number tens and wingers to choose from.
Only Morgan Gibbs-White is likely to be a starter. Following Anderson's departure, the Englishman is the absolute star of the team. For the other position, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Omari Hutchinson might have the best chances; Swiss international Dan Ndoye could also perform well under Glasner.
James McAtee and Dilane Bakwa have more of an outside chance, but given their young age, a leap in performance is certainly possible for them. Loan returnee Jota Silva could leave the club permanently.
Attack:
The attack is probably the biggest construction site in the squad. At 34 years old, Chris Wood was already unable to match his previous seasons' performances last campaign.
Igor Jesus was mostly a starter, but the Brazilian also couldn't quite meet expectations. Taiwo Awoniyi has recently only played a minor role, and loan returnee Arnaud Kalimuendo could make a permanent move to Frankfurt.
Transfers
Elliot Anderson's departure is a major blow for Glasner and Nottingham from a sporting perspective. Financially, however, it opens up significant room for maneuver for the two-time European Cup winner.
With a transfer fee of 135 million Euros, Anderson is the most expensive Englishman of all time >>>
Thus, Glasner has a large budget for potential new signings. He will also need it, as Nottingham has not yet made any new acquisitions. Especially along the central axis of goalkeeper, central defence, central midfield, and attack, a lot could still happen.
In goal, Forest is said to have already submitted a multi-million Euro offer for Brazilian Otavio Costa from Cruzeiro. In central defence, South African World Cup shooting star Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Colombian Jhon Lucumi are potential new signings.
It will be particularly interesting to see who Nottingham signs as a potential Anderson replacement. Several exciting names are already circulating on the transfer market.
Players like Lucas Bergvall from Tottenham, Davide Frattesi from Inter, Kephren Thuram from Juve, and Curtis Jones from Liverpool have recently been linked with a move to the "City Ground". A move for Daichi Kamada, whom Glasner coached at both Crystal Palace and Eintracht Frankfurt, has also been speculated.
In attack, there is reportedly interest in Japanese international Daizen Maeda from Celtic and American Folarin Balogun from Monaco.
The Outlook
Nottingham's current squad is considered weaker than that of the previous season. However, back then the team performed below its capabilities.
According to total market value, Nottingham currently ranks twelfth in the Premier League, and even ninth in terms of average market value.
However, with the revenue from Anderson's sale, the "Tricky Trees" will certainly become active in the transfer market before the start of the season to strengthen the squad.
The primary goal will initially be to avoid relegation. However, if Glasner's system takes hold, another push for European qualification spots is also conceivable.
