Brereton still has role to play in strikeforce

SEARCH FOR STRIKER REMAINS MAIN FOCUS AS REDS PURSUE TRANSFER TARGETS

HERE are some the questions posed by fans and the answers provided by our Forest writer Paul Taylor in his weekly webchat.

Question: Does our interest in Robinson mean we aren’t moving on Fabio?

Or will we sign both as we don’t have a LB.

Answer: That one will become clearer in the next few days.

There was/is a real level of interest from Forest in Fabio, who is a player Aitor Karanka knows very well, from their time together at Middlesbrough.

Even if Robinson does get done (and it looks like there is a good chance) Forest will not have a host of cover at left back.

Forest are looking to move Armand Traore on, Eric Lichaj has already gone, Juan Fuentes is recovering from his broken leg (and is out of contract) and Ben Osborn is regarded as being a midfielder, more than anything else.

While Danny Fox is far more comfortable in the centre of defence.

So it would not surprise me hugely if Forest did still pursue Fabio. Not least because he can also play at right back.

Robinson is a left back who can also play in the centre of defence.

And Fabio is a full back who can play on either side...

We all know how much Aitor Karanka likes a flexible player... (largely because he has frequently spoken about it).

So there would be no reason why Forest shouldn’t sign both.

Question: what’s your take on this Soudani chap in my opinion I’d rather have gambled on Marriot from Peterborough.

Answer: It has been hard not to notice a bit of a trend on social media in recent times - and it is one that you have further highlighted with your question.

There seems to be a habit now of looking at signings from the past who have not worked out, and subsequently feeling a sense of trepidation or nervousness that every new signing will follow the same path.

This really isn’t a dig at you - I appreciate you taking the time to ask a question and I am sure you want to see Soudani make a success of things, like everyone else - it is just a broader observation. It was the same on Twitter this morning.

All the players you mention were indeed pretty poor. That is being polite in some cases.

Although Stern John was pretty decent, from what I remember?

But things have moved on a great deal since the days of Silenzi in particular.

He was actually signed without the manager having seen him play in the flesh... it was all done off the back of video.

And you could put together a handy video package of almost any player, that would make them look decent.

Forest will have done their homework on Soudani.

He is a player who has scored goals on the international stage with Algeria and in European competition, with Dinamo.

He has good pedigree. There is no 100 percent guarantee that he will be a success here. But he looks a strong lad. And he scores goals.

Question: I think the signing of a proven striker at this level is and will be the most important Signing Forest will make this summer - do you agree?

Answer: Completely agree with you on that one.

Do believe that Soudani will partly provide some of that. He is an experienced player.

But it would be great to see Forest land a Bamford/grabban or Oliveira to go alongside that.

And that is something they are working on.

Question: What do you think happens to Ben Brereton this season? Loan or super-sub?

Answer: Last season was an up and down one for him...

But do think that a few people underestimate the potential Brereton has.

Circumstance ensured that a little bit too much responsibility and expectation was piled on his shoulders last season.

There were games when he could have done with a break from the action, when he was pressed into action because Forest had few other options.

But look at against QPR?

Look at how he ended the career of a World Cup winner, against Arsenal?

He is a very exciting prospect. He is also still very young. He only turned 19 in the final weeks of the season.

Suspect Brereton will be on the bench more often than he starts next season, but he is still very much a young man who can make an impact.

And if he does play well, he will get a chance to start games.