Pundit Chris Sutton is "concerned" that Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis might set his ambitions too high next season.
Forest are safe from relegation in the Premier League this term, having secured their status over the weekend with victory against Arsenal at the City Ground. While there is still one game to go against Crystal Palace, much more of the attention can now turn to next season.
Sutton believes Marinakis is "ruthless" and could be aiming for Forest to get into the top half of the table next season, something the pundit does not believe is a goal Forest can be looking to aim at just yet. While it's likely to be a busy summer transfer window, the expectations Marinakis will be putting on head coach Steve Cooper could prove too steep.
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“The issue with Nottingham Forest, let’s get it right: they’ve overachieved in many respects," Sutton said on the BBC's The Monday Night Club. "It’s been tricky but they’ve got over the line.
“The issue with this owner is he’s so ruthless and he may be looking to get a top-half finish. I think that’s unrealistic.
"They’ll want to progress and build but you never know what you’re going to get from this owner and that’s my concern for Nottingham Forest.”
Midfielder Ryan Yates does not share Sutton's concerns. He has said : “With the backing the owner has shown the club and continues to show the club year on year, I think the club is only going to go from strength to strength. To be part of that journey is really exciting.
“With the owner’s backing and with Steve Cooper, there’s probably going to be a few ins and outs, and he’s going to try to find where he needs to strengthen. That takes time."
Do you think Sutton is being fair? Let us know in the comments section.
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