January was always going to be a crucial month for Nottingham Forest. With so much at stake, overseeing the right transfer business would be key.
There’s still a long way to go yet, and the fight for survival will no doubt take plenty of twists and turns in the next few months, but the indications are there that the deals done were good ones. Those who came in can make a difference - and already have.
There were question marks over some when they arrived. For instance, did Forest really need to sign another goalkeeper? Was Chris Wood the best attacking option? Particularly when it transpired that making three starts triggered the obligation to buy clause in his loan deal. Would Jonjo Shelvey be a good signing?
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In their own individual ways, though, the January arrivals are having an impact. For many, only in the longer term can a proper judgement be made about the success of their time at the City Ground. But in the short term, as a collective, the seven most recent additions can have a significant say in the battle to retain Premier League status.
Saturday’s draw against Manchester City was a good example of that. Keylor Navas kept his team in with a chance of getting something from the game with some brilliant saves. Felipe was outstanding at the back. Shelvey helped to keep Pep Guardiola’s side at arm’s length. Danilo played his part, as did Andre Ayew when he came on. And Wood got the vital equaliser.
“It’s what you want. You want your new players to settle in and have big moments in games,” head coach Steve Cooper said afterwards.
“Keylor had a great few moments against Leeds, and he did today in the second half. He’s the calmest guy in the dressing room.
“When new players come in, they want to do well. They want to show they belong here and show who they are - even someone like Keylor, at his age and what he’s done.
“It’s the same with Chris Wood. He’s scored a lot of goals in the Premier League, but he still would have wanted his first goal for Forest. He deserves it.”
Wood had made a quiet start to life Trentside, but contributed more than just his goal at the weekend. More performances like that, and more similar chances for him to finish off, and he will really start to show what he can do.
Navas has shown his quality from the very start. Shelvey and Felipe had already impressed during the defeat at Fulham. Along with Ayew, they bring with them a significant amount of experience which can be incredibly beneficial. Adding that to the squad was a big feature of Forest’s January window.
Coupled with that, there was the recruitment of potential in Gustavo Scarpa and, in particular, Danilo. Scarpa is a little bit older than his fellow former Palmeiras teammate but is similar in that he has to adapt to English football. Danilo is undoubtedly one for the future.
Ultimately, judging whether it was a good window or not will come down to whether the Reds remain in the top-flight. But the signs are certainly promising.
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