The January transfer window will be an interesting one for Nottingham Forest. Do they stick or twist?
Do the Reds keep this squad intact, having made important progress prior to the World Cup break, or do they go on another shopping spree knowing it could be the difference between staying up and going down? It is a difficult judgement to make.
Another overhaul is unlikely, certainly not when Steve Cooper has openly discussed the challenges which came with the last one. But if Forest are to strengthen, it is at the top end of the pitch where they may well look at bringing in additional resources.
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Cooper made shoring up at the back a priority after the 4-0 capitulation at Leicester City. And since then, the Reds have gradually added layers to their play.
Prior to the season pausing, they had begun to look a greater threat going forward - creating more chances and finding the back of the net. However, there is still room for improvement.
Nevertheless, might there be a solution already in place? Sam Surridge has found game time limited this term, but he can still have a significant part to play.
The 24-year-old showed last year what a wonderful finisher he is. He was integral to Forest’s promotion success, scoring eight goals in 23 appearances in all competitions after joining in January, including bagging a memorable hat-trick against Swansea City.
He recovered from groin surgery to start the opening game of this season, at Newcastle United, then netted twice at Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup. But the arrival of Taiwo Awoniyi and Emmanuel Dennis - both for significant sums - made for tough competition, while Cooper hasn’t always played with a recognised forward on the pitch.
Making an impact in a short spell from off the bench isn’t easy, especially in the top-flight when possession can be at a premium. Surridge was in the thick of the action to help set up the equaliser against Brentford, though, and then weighed in with an assist for Jesse Lingard in the following game, against Tottenham Hotspur, when he had made the starting XI. He could have got on the scoresheet himself in that tie, too.
Surridge, who attracted Championship interest late on in the summer window, is a different kind of option. He is a different kind of player to others Cooper can call upon.
There is certainly a case to be made for Forest bringing in more fire-power in January. Any additions will impact those already at the club, given the 25-man squad limit - although the season-ending injury to Giulian Biancone does open up one spot, which is likely to be filled by the incoming Gustavo Scarpa.
Forcing his way into the XI will be tough, but Surridge will keep believing that his time will come. Amid all the transfer talk, it shouldn’t be forgotten what he has to offer.
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