The most recent information about Nottingham Forest as Steve Cooper’s team gets ready to play Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux
When Nottingham Forest takes the field at Molinuex on Saturday, there will be a lot on the line.
The Reds need to end a four-game losing streak and turn around a terrible run of play. They also have a lot riding on head coach Steve Cooper heading into the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Welshman is aware that in the West Midlands, he must choose his side wisely. He needs to make some important choices.
After his team’s humiliation at Fulham on Wednesday night, Cooper has urged his players to “put it right.” He acknowledges that the desire to play the same lineup to give them that chance exists, but he will assess it against the need to make adjustments in order to elicit a better effort.
When asked if he was concerned that some players may withdraw following the humiliation in the nation’s capital, Cooper replied, “You have two choices.” I didn’t want anyone to shoot off since I was eager for everyone to get together immediately following the game (in front of the spectators).
“You either do the opposite in these kinds of situations, or you stand up and be counted. We must inform the players of it. As some of them have experienced similar circumstances in the past, they will already be aware of that.
“We must demonstrate our resolve to make things right. We have to do it ourselves in order to make it right.
“I understand that this is a cliche and a given, but that is the reality of the circumstance we find ourselves in. We must accept accountability and hold ourselves solely responsible. When you place the blame on yourself, you have a chance to make things right, and this Saturday is our next chance.
Willy Boly and Serge Aurier are both questionable for the match. When Ola Aina was reinserted into the starting lineup against Fulham in lieu of Aurier, he had a dreadful return to his former haunt. Cooper has to choose between staying in his current position and Gonzalo Montiel or Neco Williams returning.
Felipe started his first first-team match of the season midweek without Boly. It’s possible that Moussa Niakhate will return to the starting lineup on Saturday given how long he has been out injured and how quickly things have improved. Cooper would rather field a four-man back line, but he might be persuaded to go back to a five-man defense to try to stop the goals coming in, depending on his availability and level of fitness.
At Craven Cottage, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez were both substituted at halftime due to subpar performances and issues in the middle. Cooper may turn to Ryan Yates and Danilo to fill in if he chooses to start without saying either/or.
Additionally, it wouldn’t be shocking if Morgan Gibbs-White, who was one of the midweek substitutes, was brought back up to the starting lineup. The most important decision, though, could have to be made up front because neither Chris Wood nor Divock Origi have really made a case for themselves to be the team’s leader when Taiwo Awoniyi is out. Cooper would prefer to reach a stage when Forest is able to deploy a more experienced team. He understands the need of being reliable. It’s a big judgment to make what, if any, adjustments to a team that played so poorly in the capital.
Predicted Forest XI: Vlachodimos; Aina, Niakhate, Murillo, Toffolo; Yates, Mangala, Dominguez; Gibbs-White, Wood, Elanga.
