Fans wonder if it’s time for Gio in battle for survival...
REYNA IMPRESSED WHILE ON USA DUTY
NOTTINGHAM Forest return to action after the international break tomorrow with a crucial run-in ahead.
The Reds dropped into the relegation zone after being hit with a fourpoint deduction for breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.
The club have since launched an appeal against the punishment,but in the meantime attention turns back to matters on the pitch.
Ahead of tomorrow’s game against Crystal Palace at the City Ground, Forest reporter SARAH CLAPSON held a live Q&A on our Reds Facebook page. Below is a look at how it panned out.
■ Q: Morgan Gibbs-white could be worth a go at defensive midfielder, with Gio Reyna up top. He always looks to have more control when he drops deep and his dynamism could draw opponents out of position and open up play for an attacking 3/4.
A: Morgan Gibbs-white is able to drop deep and we all know he is good on the ball. But I just think his best role is as a number 10. You get more out of him when you play him in his best position, and that’s as a 10.
Early on in Nuno’s tenure, he benefited from that switch. He was playing out wide under Steve Cooper, Nuno came in, made the change and Gibbs-white almost had a new lease of life.
I get the Gio Reyna debate. But with the difference Gibbs-white can make in games, I just think you have to start him where he’s at his most effective – and for me, that’s as a 10. He’s got so much quality, it makes sense to play him where he’s at his best.
Getting the right support around him is important. For me, it should be Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-odoi on the flanks.
Nuno has tended to go with Divock Origi recently. He’s looked bright and done OK but not really had the end product.
Elanga and Hudson-odoi have both shown they can score goals and chip in with assists, and they’ve got bags of pace. For me, those two start, with Morgan as 10 and probably Chris Wood up top at the minute.
I do think it’s about starting with the strongest team now. It’s not really the time for experimenting any more, not when there’s so much riding on games.
Play with square pegs in square holes, use players where they are at their most effective and look to really put a stamp on games.
■ Q: I say this again, Reyna needs to play. He had two assists for the USA and looked like he had talent and ability.
A: He has certainly had a good international camp, hasn’t he? I’m sure he will come back full of confidence from his exploits with the USA. He has been in goalscoring form for them, as well as getting assists.
There has never been any doubt about his talent. It is just that he hasn’t really shown it in a Forest shirt.
The problem he has had is that his favourite position is as a 10 and Gibbs-white has almost been one of the first names on the teamsheet playing there. Based on his performances for the club, Gibbs-white is ahead in the pecking order.
I think it is still going to be tough for Reyna to get into the starting line-up. He’s got his work cut out to force his way in. He’s looked OK in games for Forest without really standing out.
I would have brought him on against Luton Town, for sure. He was just back from a knock at the time, so maybe that came into Nuno’s thinking.
I think he deserves more minutes but it’s finding a way of ensuring he gets them. Hopefully, he shows his quality and reproduces his form for the US back at the City Ground, because if he can do that more
chances will come. It is so important for him to take his opportunities when he gets them.
With nine games left, he still has plenty of time to make an impact. We just haven’t really seen him do that yet for Forest. Hopefully he can.
■ Q: Hopefully, with the point deduction done and dusted, the staff and players may feel more comfortable so the results may change now!
A: The one area of concern with it is that it isn’t quite done and dusted because of the appeal. There is still a bit of uncertainty.
The big question mark over that is the psychological aspect for the players. Once the points deduction was imposed, there was a sense of knowing what they needed to do and being aware of the gap they needed to close.
With the appeal, there’s still that little bit of uncertainty.
The challenge for Nuno is to to make sure the players don’t even think about it. Assume it is four points and nothing is going to change. If the deduction gets reduced, it’s a big bonus.
There is a very slim chance, we’re told, that the penalty could be increased. But it is said to be unlikely that will happen.
Nuno and the players need to take it as being four points. Adopt the kind of siege mentality Everton did when they were hit with their deduction.
Hopefully, it can kickstart a run of results. Nuno has always stressed the focus has been fully on matters on the pitch, but the threat of the deduction did seem to be a cloud hanging over the club. Hopefully, that changes now, even if the appeal means it is still slightly up in the air.
■ Q: Morgan has been quiet this season – few goals, few assists. Drop him and play Reyna. Can’t do no harm.
A: I get both sides of the debate. It underlines how difficult it is for Nuno when it comes to team selection. It’s not easy, especially when the pressure is on and there is so much at stake.
Morgan has had a quiet-ish spell. But early on under Nuno, he was really good. He’s not the only one whose form has tailed off a bit – it has for the team as a whole.
He’s just got so much quality, I just don’t think it is the right time to drop him. He’s too good a player to leave out. Even when he is having a quiet game he is capable of popping up with a moment of magic.
Reyna has looked good for the USA but hasn’t done it in a Forest shirt yet. Gibbs-white has, so that’s why I think he still has the edge.
I would give him a break from setpieces, though. Give Neco Williams a go as he has shown he is good at them for Wales.
■ Q: Regarding the appeal, we can’t lose any more points so it’s kind of a free hit. Put it at the back of the mind and crack on.
A: There is a very small risk the points deduction could be increased. It’s written in the Premier League rules that appeal boards have that power.
But the suggestion is that is unlikely to happen – doesn’t mean it can’t or won’t.
The club are no doubt aware of that, so that’s why, as you say, it will be seen as a free hit.
The club have made clear they are unhappy with the outcome of the hearing. The statement they put out after the deduction was announced was very hard-hitting, so you can see why they decided to appeal.
Hopefully, it gets sorted quickly. Likewise, with Everton’s second charge. Nobody wants to get to the end of the season and for the relegation places not to be decided.
The best thing Forest can do is to take control of the situation on the pitch. Win games and make sure what happens with the appeal or with Everton’s second charge doesn’t matter.