Nottingham Forest's Frustrating Cup Exit vs Leeds United

Nottingham Forest’s Carabao Cup exit to Leeds United on Tuesday did more than end a cup run. It ripped the mood music out of the City Ground.

What was billed as a chance for Oliver Glasner’s side to build on their league form instead left Forest fans describing the display as the worst they’ve seen in over a year. The optimism of the weekend vanished in 90 flat, frustrating minutes.

Forest frustration: “No identity, no ideas”

The verdict from the stands was brutal.

Ian called it “a much worse performance than Saturday’s”, unconvinced that new forward Liam Delap will fix what he sees as deeper structural issues. For him, this isn’t a tweak job. It feels like a rebuild.

Others went harder. Graham saw “nothing positive” in the display and tore into both individuals and approach. In his eyes, Chris Wood, Ousmane Diomande, Dan Ndoye, Xaver Schlager and James McAtee simply aren’t at the level Forest need, and Glasner’s tactical plan is out of step with the squad.

“We were too narrow and no bite up front,” he said. The accusation is clear: predictable patterns, no penetration.

David focused on the style of play, and the pattern he’s already tired of watching. Forest, he said, repeatedly worked the ball backwards, recycling possession until it reached goalkeeper Matz Sels, who then launched it long towards a lone, isolated striker. One red shirt against a crowd, with no one close enough to challenge for the second ball. For him, that is “simply not good enough”.

Andrew didn’t dress it up either, labelling it “the worst Forest performance in over a year” and accusing the players of looking “clueless” with “little idea of what the playing plan should be”.

The smiles, several fans agreed, have gone. The early Glasner bounce is under scrutiny.

Leeds stir: “The sleeping giant is starting to wake up”

On the other side, the mood could not be more different.

Leeds fans came away from the same game talking about a team quietly building something serious. Bryan called the club “the sleeping giant” and believes it is finally stirring. He feels the side never gets enough credit from pundits or press, but is happy to see them “creeping under the radar”.

He went further, predicting that this Leeds defence will be viewed as one of the strongest in the Premier League and warning the established elite that once another striker arrives, “watch out top six, one of you will be losing your place”.

It is a bold claim, but it captures the confidence brewing around Elland Road.

Peter’s focus was more specific. He sees a team close to being very good, but still wasteful in the final third. Dan James, he pointed out, produced a stream of chances with his delivery, only to watch teammates fail to read or attack his crosses. The platform is there; the finishing touch is not.

Ali struck a more measured tone. He praised “solid performances against Forest” but urged restraint. For him, Leeds remain light in key positions – he listed striker, left-back, winger, goalkeeper and attacking midfield – and believes those areas must be reinforced if the club is to sustain a strong campaign over the length of a season.

So Leeds leave the tie feeling encouraged but not satisfied, aware that the next few weeks in the market could shape their ceiling.

Forest, meanwhile, are left wrestling with harsher questions. Is this just a bad night in August, or the first clear sign that Glasner needs more than minor adjustments to turn this squad into his team?