Nuno Espirito Santo left Nottingham Forest with selection issues following a busy transfer window, according to the most recent verdict.
Without a doubt, the business done during the summer has boosted Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest team. Nuno wanted the Reds to have options all over the pitch and a well-rounded bunch by the end of the transfer window. The Portuguese now have that, for the most part.
Up forward, there are some doubts over Forest’s depth. The deadline went by without another striker being added, even though they didn’t try.
Thus, Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi will have to pull the Reds through, at least through January. Nuno has acknowledged that wingers Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa may be options for forward play when they establish themselves in English football.
Selecting his best squad is arguably Nuno’s largest task right now. He is plagued by numerous selection headaches. For example, how do deadline day signings Morato and James Ward-Prowse fit in? The two rookies will need to demonstrate their worth to be in the starting lineup. You might need to be patient. They will also need to seize the chance when it presents itself. That’s previously been done by a few players, and it gave Nuno some food for thought.
Since assuming the shirt upon his arrival in January, Matz Sels has remained at the top of the rankings this season. However, Carlos Miguel bounced back from giving up a goal shortly after making his Carabao Cup debut against Newcastle United last Wednesday, and he went on to make several excellent stops. Nuno might not swap goalkeepers just yet, but a rivalry between the two could emerge.
The full-back situation is also interesting following the completion of Forest’s transfer business. Aston Villa loanee Alex Moreno will want to play, and that could lead to Ola Aina and Neco Williams battling it out for the right-back spot.
The Reds do have sufficient options to deploy a three-man defence with wing-backs, should they wish. Nuno used that formation to good effect during his time at Wolves, and it could be a way for the likes of Willy Boly and Morato to get game time. After all, it is difficult to look beyond the partnership of Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic as first-choice in a four-man back line.
Ward-Prowse may have a difficult time breaking into the starting lineup in midfield. So far, Elliot Anderson’s performances have practically made him unstoppable. Although Ibrahim Sangare may not have played his best against Wolves and continues to split opinions among supporters, he had showed before Saturday that he had moved over his difficulties from the previous season. Hudson-Odoi and Elanga now have teammates breathing down their necks as they move up the pitch. The Reds prioritised strengthening their wide lineup during the transfer window, and Silva and Sosa have won over fans right away. Although the two are still adjusting to English football and settling in, they will undoubtedly soon be vying to be regular starts.
Forest’s strongest XI after summer transfer business: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Sangare, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
