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Nuno Espirito Santo wore a wry smile when he was asked if he had missed the press this summer.

It opened the Nottingham Forest boss' first news conference of the Premier League season before Saturday's opener at home to Bournemouth.

Nuno is never one to give much away to the media during these sit-downs and remained tight-lipped about any transfer plans before the close, but there is a quiet confidence around the City Ground.

Last season's tally of just 32 points saw them finish 17th, six points above the relegation zone, after the four-point deduction following a profit and sustainability breach.

With a pre-season under Nuno, which he did not have after replacing Steve Cooper in December, the manager is adamant he has seen improvement in the time he has been at the club.

The two European Cups the club won in 1979 and 1980 were also brought through the media area, not being paraded but being moved as the club improves and upgrades the stadium before the curtain-raiser.

They are a fierce reminder of what has been achieved in the past and, while nobody is expecting a challenge for the Champions League spots this season, avoiding a prolonged relegation scrap is expected.