What will be Forest’s best line-up at end of the window?
WITH less than a week to go, it looks like being a fairly quiet January transfer window for Nottingham Forest. Just as Chris Hughton said it would be.
The Reds manager has always stressed only minor tweaks would be made this month, after the club brought in 14 new faces in the summer.
Anthony Knockaert’s loan deal has been extended and Filip Krovinovic has joined on loan from Benfica for the rest of the season, while Nicholas Ioannou, Tendayi Darikwa and Zach Clough have all departed.
There could yet be further business done, with Hughton still looking to strengthen his attacking resources.
And, while he is currently short of midfielders, the Forest boss will hope to soon be boosted by the return of some of his walking wounded.
We have taken a look at what the Reds’ strongest line-up could be, once deadline day has passed.
■■Goalkeeper
There’s not really a debate here. Brice Samba hasn’t always been at the top of his game this season, but he has still made some crucial saves and remains very much number one.
Jordan Smith got some valuable game time against Swansea City in the FA Cup at the weekend and did okay, despite conceding five goals. But there will be no unseating Samba.
■■Defence
Hughton likes to stick with a settled back line where possible and Forest need to get back to the kind of resoluteness they had shown before their last two defeats.
A much-changed defence was named at the Liberty Stadium, with only Joe Worrall keeping his place from the previous League outing. No one did enough to give the manager a selection headache.
With this an area the club are not currently looking to strengthen, the back four of Cyrus Christie, Worrall, Scott Mckenna and Yuri Ribeiro is likely to be a mainstay for much of the rest of the season - injuries and suspensions permitting.
■■Midfield
Forest have injury problems here at the minute but, in a few weeks, they will hope to have bodies back.
It was hoped Harry Arter could be back in training this week, while Ryan Yates is expected to be sidelined for up to three weeks and Jack Colback is still a little while away.
When everyone is available, there are plenty of options.
Fouad Bachirou made his comeback at the weekend, featuring for only the second time this term. He was highly rated by previous boss Sabri Lamouchi, but Hughton has admitted he may yet leave on loan this month.
Cafu and Krovinovic can also play the deeper position, but the former has proved more effective further forward and the new signing also seems to be earmarked for a more advanced role - at least when others are fit.
It might not be a partnership to everyone’s taste but, on recent form, Yates and Samba Sow have to be first choice.
Prior to the younger midfielder’s calf problem, they had worked pretty well together. They don’t always provide the attacking impetus fans want to see, but the Reds need others in the team to step up on that front.
■■Attack
In Hughton’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Krovinovic could come into the number 10 spot.
In the short-term, he might well have to take on a defensive midfield role but, further down the line, he has been brought in to try to help score goals.
He might not be prolific himself, but should bag a few - and, perhaps more importantly, will look to drive the team forward, creating chances for others.
Cafu has been hit and miss when played in that attacking trio and Luke Freeman looked short of match fitness when he returned from a long spell on the sidelines at the weekend.
So, when he gets the chance, expect Hughton to give the man he has had his eye on for some time a good run in that role.
Of course, there’s the possibility Forest could strengthen further in the attacking department - it is something the manager has said they are trying to do, as long as it is the right player.
They do desperately need something. A winger, who can perhaps also play as a 10, would be ideal; someone who can boost the supply to the front man.
West Bromwich Albion’s Kamil Grosicki remains on the radar, after a move fell through in the summer,
but the club have also always been looking at other options.
If they don’t manage to get anyone in, the big challenge for Hughton is to get the best out of the players he already has.
Knockaert should be a regular starter, having begun to find a bit of form. Right now, it’s a battle between Sammy Ameobi and Alex Mighten to fill in on the opposite flank.
The Reds boss seems to favour the more experienced wide man - and when he’s on form, there is no doubt he can make a difference – but
Mighten has to be pushing him close.
If he can get back to the level everyone knows he’s capable of, Joe Lolley is another good option to have.
■■Striker
It’s a struggle for whoever plays up front at the minute, because of the lack of service.
Neither Lewis Grabban nor Lyle Taylor have been able to rack up anything like the kind of goal tally they would have liked.
Both have been guilty of missing good chances, but opportunities have also been relatively thin on the ground. That remains a problem for Hughton.
Finding a solution in the remainder of the window would no doubt be well received by both forwards.
Grabban continues to be first choice but Taylor has scored more goals.
■■Strongest Forest 11
Samba, Christie, Worrall, Mckenna, Ribeiro, Sow, Yates, Mighten, Krovinovic, Knockaert, Grabban.