Could be busy window on cards at City Ground
NOTTINGHAM Forest are heading into a crucial period, with the January transfer window opening on Saturday and a play-off push on the cards.
Steve Cooper’s side sit only two points adrift of the Championship top six as they prepare for tonight’s clash at home against Huddersfield Town.
The Reds will be eager to bounce back against the Terriers, having seen a nine-match unbeaten run ended in dismal fashion at Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.
And, off the pitch, the club will be keen to get their transfer business right as they look to close the gap at the top end of the table.
Matt Davies, Sarah Clapson and Forest fan Michael Temple had plenty to discuss in a live video chat on our Reds Facebook page.
■■MD: What went wrong at Middlesbrough?
SC: They never really got going in the first half. They looked better after the break when they switched to a back four, though.
When they played as a back three, the wing-backs didn’t get forward as much as they would normally do. They were really short on options, so in part, that was down to personnel – they didn’t have the same kind of threat they normally have.
They didn’t press Middlesbrough in the same way they have been doing in recent games.
Boro caused them so many problems and they just looked really wobbly at the back.
They found it difficult to get a grip on that and then try to impose themselves on the game. When they changed formation, they did do that. But just as Forest were starting to get on top, Boro went and killed the game off.
It was one of those afternoons. MT: What we saw Middlesbrough do was what Forest have been doing to other teams. They bullied us using those two channels, down the left and right sides.
We have been using those channels to launch our attacks but all of a sudden the ball was being distributed in a different way. There wasn’t the same pattern of play.
■■MD: What did you make of Xande Silva against Middlesbrough? Did he do enough to earn a chance in the next game and does he have a future at Forest?
MT: If he hadn’t clattered the post and had stuck that chance in, my view might be slightly different. But, for me, with goalscorers, seeing is believing. I don’t think he’s ever been anything like prolific enough to be considered the answer in the Championship.
For me, he’s not the answer. With the infrastructure Forest have now, I think they would back themselves to identify talent and recruit players. They would fancy their chances of throwing the dice, shipping him out and getting one in, rather than investing time and effort in Xande Silva.
I just don’t think he’s the answer. SC: I don’t think it would be any surprise if he does depart in January.
I don’t see how he fits in for Forest. He’s not going to get the goals they need.
There are other players the club can look at to strengthen their attack.
■■MD: How busy do you think Forest are going to be in January?
SC: We seem to say it every year but this is going to be a crucial window for Forest. If they get it right, it can make a huge difference – given how close they are to the top six.
Getting a few key players in – and not losing others – is going to be so important.
We’re not going to see the kind of January windows we have in the past, with loads of signings and deadline day panic buying.
Forest have moved on from that. They are in a better place and are more organised now, in that sense. They have a better perspective of what’s needed. It will be just a few key signings.
Dane Murphy has made a difference since he came in. We saw that in the summer. He’s got a clear strategy and a clear vision, and Steve Cooper is very much aligned with that.
The focus is on younger players, albeit with some exceptions. Generally, they want a youthful squad.
And they don’t want a big squad. That was a key directive in the summer, trying to reduce numbers, so we’re not going to see a bloated dressing room come the end of January.
The expectation is Forest are going to be quite wise and careful about the decisions they make.
It won’t always come off – there are no guarantees in transfer business. But at least there is a vision there, which is something Forest haven’t always had.
MT: A couple of weeks ago, my priorities would have been to retain Spence, Worrall and Johnson, with the risk of a recall and the two most saleable assets.
The noises coming out of the club seem to be that retaining Johnson and Worrall is on the cards; we’re not necessarily having to sell.
They will have to offload one or two fringe players, which I wouldn’t mind at all.
And then I would like to see the prioritisation of a striker. I don’t think Lyle Taylor is the answer or suitable back-up should Lewis Grabban get injured.
It’s worth trading two or three players, investing some cash now, with a significantly improved chance of fighting for a play-off place.
The faith in the people at the top of the club is stronger than ever.