AliousThere are a few certainties in life: death, taxes, and Arne Slot taking digs at Nottingham Forest Football Club. Since Forest’s return to the Premier League, no manager seems to have been more rattled by their rise than Slot. His Feyenoord side suffered their only defeat of 2024 at the hands of Forest, thanks to a Callum Hudson-Odoi winner—an upset not only for Slot but also for Hudson-Odoi’s father, a devoted Liverpool fan.
Ahead of tomorrow night’s clash at the City Ground, Slot hasn’t held back, mixing praise with thinly veiled jabs. He’s lauded Forest striker Chris Wood but couldn’t resist reigniting an old talking point: Forest’s spending. In his pre-match press conference, Slot remarked, *“If you look at the amount of money they’ve spent, it’s not a complete surprise that they’re doing well this season.”*
This comment mirrors the now-tired narrative of Forest being big spenders, a claim that was a running joke during their first Premier League season. Slot’s remark has added fuel to the fire, ensuring he’ll face a fiery reception from Forest fans tomorrow. The claim, however, doesn’t hold much weight. While Forest have been smart with their recruitment in recent windows, adopting a sustainable, methodical approach to transfers, it’s ironic for Slot—now managing Liverpool—to harp on about finances. After all, Liverpool’s current squad was built over years of substantial spending, even if their most recent summer window was relatively quiet.
Slot’s comments come across as sour grapes, a subtle jab at Forest’s success in disrupting the traditional “Sky Sports Big Six.” It seems the Dutchman is keen to frame Forest’s impressive season as the product of a spending spree, downplaying the meticulous work behind the scenes.
As the City Ground gears up for a massive showdown, Slot would do well to focus on the challenge ahead rather than stoking tensions with his digs. One thing is certain: Forest fans will make sure he feels the heat on the touchline.
Alious
