Ensuring Nottingham Forest finished the transfer window with sufficient strength in depth was a key priority for boss Steve Cooper.
A dressing room overhaul was always going to be a necessity, and as part of that, the Welshman wanted the Reds to have at least two players to cover every position. The aim was to avoid a repeat of the scenario which saw Jack Colback filling in at left-back last season.
“We want to make sure we have the right challenge and the right depth for every position,” Cooper has said. “I don’t want any player thinking they are definitely going to play in the next game; I want them to feel that they’ve got to train really well to get a place in the team.”
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Twenty-one players have been brought in this summer, with the potential for free agent full-back Serge Aurier to become signing number 22. Now the window is closed, we take a look at the shape of Forest’s squad.
Goalkeepers
Bringing in Dean Henderson has the makings of being one of the Reds’ most important bits of business. Finding the right No.1, following the departure of Brice Samba, was vital - and the Manchester United loanee is proving to be a good fit, even amid 11 goals shipped in three games.
The experienced Wayne Hennessey should provide solid back-up, with last summer’s arrival, Ethan Horvath, benefiting from playing regularly on loan at Luton Town. Academy graduate Jordan Smith makes up the three keepers, and Cooper has spoken before about the role he plays in squad unity.
Options: Dean Henderson, Wayne Hennessey, Jordan Smith.
Centre-backs
When everyone is fit, Forest now have a number of contenders for a place in the back line. Indeed, Cooper’s conundrum is finding the best combination.
The club now have Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna, Steve Cook, Loic Mbe Soh, Moussa Niakhate, Willy Boly and Loic Bade on the books. Giulian Biancone was brought in with the view of playing at centre-back, but can also operate as a right wing-back, while Cheikhou Kouyate has been called upon to play in the centre of the three, as well as in midfield.
Losing Niakhate to injury was a blow, and affected the Reds’ transfer thinking. He is facing a “few months” on the sidelines, according to Cooper.
Options: Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna, Steve Cook, Loic Mbe Soh, Moussa Niakhate, Willy Boly, Loic Bade, Giulian Biancone, Cheikhou Kouyate.
Wing-backs
Left-back has historically been a problem position at the City Ground. Now, Forest have three.
Harry Toffolo can consider himself a little unfortunate to have lost his place to Renan Lodi in the last two games. The former Huddersfield Town man hadn’t done a lot wrong, but found himself on the bench after the Atletico Madrid loanee arrived.
The transfer window might well have panned out differently had Omar Richards not been injured. The ex-Bayern Munich man remains absent with a hairline fracture of the leg, and is yet to make his debut.
On the opposite flank, Cooper currently only has Neco Williams for the right wing-back role, although Biancone is capable of stepping in. That will change if a deal for free agent Serge Aurier goes through, as expected.
Right wing-back options: Neco Williams, Giulian Biancone.
Left wing-back options: Omar Richards, Harry Toffolo, Renan Lodi.
Midfield
Another position where the Reds are now well stocked, with plenty of quality in the ranks. Cooper has Jack Colback, Cafu, Ryan Yates, Lewis O’Brien, Orel Mangala, Kouyate and Remo Freuler on the books. Harry Arter also remains a Forest player, but has not been part of the first-team set-up for some time.
As with the defence, the challenge for the head coach is to find the perfect balance and combination when picking his starting XI. Although he generally favours a 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-2-1 system, Cooper also has the option of packing his midfield if he wants to try to tighten up in games. At Manchester City, for instance, he started O’Brien, Yates and Freuler. Equally, that doesn’t necessarily have to be a defensive-minded shape, given the likes of O’Brien - who had started every league match prior to Saturday’s defeat to Bournemouth - Yates and Mangala (when he returns from injury) can drive forward.
Options: Jack Colback, Cafu, Ryan Yates, Lewis O’Brien, Orel Mangala, Cheikhou Kouyate, Remo Freuler. Harry Arter is still on the books, but is not involved with the first-team.
Attack
Forest have plenty of attacking talent in their ranks. It’s about getting the best out of them now.
When it comes to out-and-out strikers, the Reds have Sam Surridge, Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis. Lyle Taylor has not been included in a match squad since the victory over West Ham United, which seems to point to him missing out on the 25-man Premier League following the closure of the window.
Cooper hasn’t always started with a traditional no.9 on the pitch, however - a decision which raised a few eyebrows after falling to the Cherries, in particular. The combination of Jesse Lingard, Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White has shown promise, but it’s open to debate whether the team needs a focal point up front.
Options: Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White, Jesse Lingard, Sam Surridge, Emmanuel Dennis, Taiwo Awoniyi, Lyle Taylor.
What is Forest's strongest starting XI? Have your say in the comments below
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