For the first time in years, Nottingham Forest have a very real chance of winning promotion back to the Premier League.
The Reds finished seventh in 2019/20 after letting a Championship play-off spot slip through their fingers on the final day, and there was a ninth-placed finish in 2018/19. Before that, however, Reds fans have to cast their minds as far back as 2013 for a top 10 spot. In fact, 2010/11 was the last time Forest were involved in the Championship play-offs.
Steve Cooper has over-achieved with the Reds since he took over in September 2021, lifting them from the relegation zone to the top five. It has been a fair while since the man in the hot-seat at the City Ground has been expected to build a squad capable of competing in the Premier League, but if all goes to plan in the next few weeks Cooper could find himself with that responsibility.
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Plenty of questions remain over how the season will end. Will the Reds endure a catastrophic conclusion like that of two years, or will there be a more positive outcome with Cooper ending Forest's 23-year absence from the top-flight.
With that in mind, these are three key decisions the Forest boss will have on his mind ahead of the summer transfer window...
BRENNAN JOHNSON DECISION
First the elephant in the room: what happens to Brennan Johnson? The 20-year-old has been an absolute sensation in his debut full season in the Championship, leading Forest's goal-scoring charts (16) as well as contributing eight assists.
Such an impressive first campaign in the second-tier has prompted plenty of interest in the attacking midfielder from Premier League clubs, including Everton, West Ham, Burnley, Leeds United, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Brighton.
Johnson - whose contract expires next summer - was subject to multiple bids from Brentford in January, including what would have been a club record fee, but Forest kept a firm hold of their star man. Contract talks have been held between Johnson, his dad [ex-Forest striker David Johnson] and owner Evangelos Marinakis, but a breakthrough has not yet been found.
It is probable that both sides are waiting until they know what division Forest will be competing in next season before committing to anything. If Forest remain in the Championship they may be forced to concede defeat and let the midfielder depart this summer in order to avoid seeing him go for free a year later.
It is equally possible, however, that there could be an extension to Johnson's Nottingham Forest story if Cooper can guide the Reds into the Premier League.
A NEW LEADER FOR THE ATTACKING LINE
Another major question for Cooper is who will lead his attack next season. That responsibility currently lies at the feet of Lewis Grabban. However, the 34-year-old's contract is up for renewal this summer and, as an aging forward, Forest may want to see some new blood brought in.
Whoever steps into Grabban's position will have large boots to fill. The former Bournemouth and Aston Villa striker has averaged 14 league goals in each of the three full seasons he has had at the City Ground, and he has scored another 12 times this term.
His impressive return for Forest - the fourth season in five that he has scored double digits - has made him a key man in the Reds' attacking department. This season alone, he has scored 18% of Forest's goals and only Brennan Johnson (22%) has scored more.
If Grabban is to depart this summer then who will fill the vacancy? Cooper could look to Sam Surridge, who has impressed with three goals since his arrival on the banks of the River Trent in January. If that is the case, it could allow the likes of Will Swan - or perhaps even an optimistic supporter might suggest Dale Taylor - the opportunity to be more involved in the first-team picture.
LEFT-BACK QUESTIONS RAISED
It is an issue raised every few weeks. Max Lowe has been a fan favourite since he signed for Forest on-loan at the start of the season. However, the 24-year-old missed eight games with a groin strain and is now nursing another groin injury that has ruled him out for a further nine fixtures.
In his absence, Jack Colback has featured on the left side of defence, with Richie Laryea making his Forest debut with a substitute appearance against West Brom. But the Reds will soon be short of options for left-back.
Lowe is set to return to Sheffield United in the summer, Gaetan Bong's contract will expire this year, leaving Laryea - who is more naturally a right-back - as the Reds' only senior option. Jonathan Panzo - who has been restricted to only under-23s appearances since signing in January - can feature as a left-back.
Colback is not a viable long-term option for Cooper at left-back so adding a new recruit or youth promotion could be the answer. Aaron Donnelly has been particularly impressive for Andy Reid's under-23s side this season, although he himself has a professional contract up for renewal this summer and would most likely benefit from the experience of a loan move elsewhere.
The Reds could even turn their focus to Derby full-back Lee Buchanan once more. The defender was subject to plenty of interest from Forest in the past two transfer windows, but has an option to extend his deal that the Rams can trigger. Wayne Rooney's side have until May 21 to use that clause, but have been restricted in doing so up until now due to their financial restrictions.
Whatever happens, it will be a busy transfer window for Steve Cooper and his recruitment team at Nottingham Forest.
Where should Cooper focus his attentions this summer transfer window? Let us know in the comments section here...
