Could Spence be switched? And can Reds strike it right in January?
SARAH CLAPSON answers Nottingham Forest fans’ questions in our Q&A
can do, rather than worry about the opposition too much.
It’s good to have the flexibility to change systems - not just week to week, but also within games.
■■Q: Forest should be thinking about getting another striker and off-loading Lyle Taylor. What do you think?
A: They will look at bringing in another striker in January. They tried in the summer but it didn’t quite happen - although not for the want of trying.
It is an area where they are short on options.
Lewis Grabban has been in good goalscoring form but he needs more help.
Taylor doesn’t look like being a 20-goal man in the same sense as Grabban.
I thought he was quite poor on Tuesday night. His hold-up play wasn’t at the same level as Grabban’s usually is, and his link-up play wasn’t great.
But he can score goals - perhaps not to the same degree as Grabban but he is capable of chipping in. And Forest do still need that contribution.
That’s why I wouldn’t be looking to let go of Taylor in January. If you bring in another striker and let him go, you’re still left with the same number of options.
And Taylor can contribute - we saw that against Bristol City. It’s just frustrating when he then has a game like he did on Tuesday, when he spends too long berating the officials and coming close to getting himself sent off.
■■Q: Any update on Brennan Johnson’s contract talks? I’m getting nervous as January gets closer if we can’t tie him down on better terms.
A: There’s no update at the moment. But the impression given is that both parties are quite relaxed about the situation.
Brennan doesn’t seem to be the kind of player who is going to be knocking on the door, demanding a move in January.
He’s benefitting from regular game time, which is a big plus for him. And he seems to be happy here, and is enjoying playing under the manager.
I’d be surprised if there isn’t interest shown in him in January, given the way he started the season.
The sooner Forest do get a deal sorted with him, the better, then the focus can be on what’s happening on the pitch. And it would put the club in a much stronger position, if anyone does come sniffing around when the window opens.
There doesn’t seem to be any sense of panic about it at the moment, though.