Nottingham Forest will be out to end a three-match losing streak when they host Fulham on Friday night.
Under the lights at the City Ground, it will be the Reds’ final run-out before the upcoming international break. They will want to sign off for the two-week hiatus on a positive note, ensuring a second half collapse against Bournemouth is firmly behind them.
That 3-2 defeat to the Cherries put a slight dampener on what had otherwise been an encouraging start to the season for Steve Cooper’s side. We take a look at the winners and losers from Forest’s six games so far.
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Winners
Lewis O’Brien: The former Huddersfield Town man has slotted in with ease and made an impressive start to his time Trentside. He could consider himself a little hard done by to have been left out of the XI last time out, having started every other league game.
Finding the best midfield combination is not easy, with Cooper having a number of different options to choose from. But O’Brien has already shown he has the makings of being a key player for the Reds. It would be no surprise to see him back in the team this week.
Dean Henderson: Another summer signing who is proving to be an excellent addition. The Manchester United loanee is certainly feeling the benefit of playing regularly, having made his feelings clear about the circumstances of the last 12 months.
He has already pulled off some brilliant saves, including two penalty stops, and will come to Forest’s rescue many times over the course of the campaign. He’s quickly established a rapport with fans, too.
Morgan Gibbs-White: Like his two fellow new arrivals, the ex-Wolverhampton Wanderers man has demonstrated plenty of promise early on in his Reds career. It is easy to see why Cooper made him a top target during the transfer window.
The manager has still yet to find a way of getting the best out of the attacking talent at his disposal. And while the feeling is there is still a lot more to come from Gibbs-White, he has shown glimpses of what he is capable of - with no sign a hefty price tag is weighing on his shoulders.
Losers
Cafu: It’s not that the Portuguese has necessarily done anything wrong that he finds himself on this list. It is more a reflection of the strength in depth Cooper now has in the centre of the pitch.
Cafu is a popular character and a positive influence in the changing room, but he has made just two appearances so far this season. He did pretty well in the Carabao Cup win over Grimsby Town, but it is hard to see him getting much of a look-in in the Premier League now.
Loic Mbe Soh: Whenever he’s been given an opportunity, the defender seems to have something about him. It’s just that those chances have been few and far between, and that’s unlikely to change this term.
He’s down the pecking order at the City Ground, with even more players ahead of him following the summer recruitment drive. The 21-year-old is at an age where he needs to be playing games, so after a switch to Fenerbahce failed to materialise, it could be January offers the chance of securing the move he sorely needs.
Lyle Taylor: Having spent the second half of last season on loan at Birmingham City, the striker has not featured in the Garibaldi in 2022/23. He was on the bench for games against Newcastle United and West Ham United, but hasn’t been in the match day squad since.
That he wasn’t involved at Blundell Park in the League Cup is perhaps telling. It would come as no surprise if the 32-year-old misses out on the 25-man squad.
Who has stood out for you so far this season? Have your say in the comments below
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