More blanks fired in closing friendly

NOTTINGHAM Forest's preseason friendly campaign concluded with yet another goalless draw - their fifth in seven friendlies - at the City Ground as the Reds were held to another stalemate on Saturday night against Saudi Pro League side Al Qadsiah.

- By JOSEPH CHAPMAN

Forest might have broken the deadlock on a number of different occasions in the first half but to no avail.

Ryan Yates was standing in as captain in place of the absent Morgan Gibbs-White - afforded the night off for personal reasons - and he lifted one effort over the angle of post and bar after receiving the ball in the penalty area.

Summer signing Igor Jesus went closer than anyone, though, on two occasions. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Neco Williams combined highly effectively down the Forest left and Jesus was picked out twice but he glanced headers wide at the near post.

There was early and sustained pressure from Forest in the first 10 minutes of the second half but they couldn’t make that pay and Al Qadsiah were able to hold them at arm's length.

All roads now lead to the new Premier League season and the opening game at home against Brentford on Sunday (2pm).

Here are the talking points from the friendly:

The currency of the game