We have a huge problem - Ola Aina's coach Nuno Espírito Santo reveals ahead of new season

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo didn't mince words when assessing his squad's preparedness for the Premier League kick-off, stating the team isn't where it needs to be.

His side hosts Brentford on Sunday for their opening match, while the manager anticipates at least four more additions to the squad.

“We are a long way off a long, long way off where we should be. A long way off in terms of preparation, in terms of planning, and in terms of the squad. We are very concerned because we have a game in two days in the most demanding league in the world. And we are a long way off. A long, long way off,” Espírito Santo lamented to Sky Sports, regarding the team's current state.

Preparing for their Europa League campaign, the club has brought in three players: Dan Ndoye, Igor Jesus, and Jair Cunha, while the main departure has been Anthony Elanga's sale to Newcastle.

“The plans we had haven't materialized. The preparation hasn't been ideal. We haven't had the chance to build connections between the players, which is important, because we don't know which players we'll be able to count on. We still have players here who know they're going out on loan. We have a huge problem,” he added.

“We missed a very good opportunity to do things better. Now there are two weeks left [of the transfer window], and after those two weeks, then we can evaluate how things stand. But what we've lost is the opportunity to do better. And that doesn’t come back,” he further commented.

Espírito Santo admitted his disappointment at seeing Elanga leave for Newcastle, believing the player is difficult to replace, “Very difficult, very difficult because Anthony's role is very specific, both in the work he does and the characteristics he has. So it's not easy to replace Anthony. It's not easy.”