In the midst of a dismal run of results and concerns over the future of head coach Steve Cooper, Nottingham Forest’s transfer activities have also drawn attention.
The Reds are on a skid of one win in 13 games and have dropped their last three home games. Cooper is under scrutiny, raising questions about whether a different manager might get more performance from the team or if there is simply not enough talent in the group.
Over the summer, thirteen new players, including club record signing Ibrahim Sangare, passed through the City Ground doors. However, so far this season, the most recent signings have had differing degrees of success.
The Garibaldi Red podcast from NottinghamshireLive this week included a discussion about Forest’s hiring practices. Here is a summary of what was said.
Dave Astbury is a Reds fan.
“I believe that five loan signings in the Championship are directly responsible for our lack of stability. We wouldn’t have needed to sign as many players if those players had been our own instead of loans.
“It has been a tumble dryer of players in and out after that. I truly think it will go till January as I’ve always had my doubts about the caliber of the hiring.
“I thought some people were getting ahead of themselves early in the season, believing Forest would be fine and finish in the middle of the league. I thought, “Hmm, I wish I could see it on the pitch.”
“This team is not good enough to stay in this league,” I thought as I left the field on Friday night. There was an almost scary margin separating Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest.
“We do a terrible job of holding the ball. In my opinion, we possess the poorest ball retention of any club in the division.
“Neither of our goalkeepers is someone I trust.” All you can do is whine at Steve Cooper, but he is unable to move the ball for Matt Turner. Nor has (Odysseas) Vlachodimos pleased me.
“Our wide players are making an effort, but they are demonstrating to me why they were not as important at the teams they previously played for as Nottingham Forest.” Although our defense has had some strong performances, it is not doing its job if, like we did on Friday night, you allow five goals to enter the game against Fulham and give up goals.
“I simply believe that right now we are not good enough to stay up. Many have told me that this is a Premier League-caliber team. Well, hardly many of them are managing a string of consecutively strong results.
In terms of hiring, Taiwo Awoniyi and Murillo have been successful. In many respects, Taiwo, the player who isn’t on the team, is the best player in the club right now. His absence is highlighting his shortcomings elsewhere.
“I don’t think Chris Wood has the solution. Divock Origi is identical.
“I believe that this team is woefully short on Premier League caliber. I’m concerned that some aren’t excellent enough and that some have passed their prime. Right now, I don’t believe there is a strong enough core of players to support the stability we require; there isn’t the requisite stability kernel.
“I do believe that the management will leave soon. Although I adore the man, I believe things will change. My biggest concern is that if you replace the manager, will this side’s quality increase as a result? I’m not entirely certain. Regarding the recruitment, I am really hesitant.
“Forest wouldn’t be where they are now if Awoniyi had stayed healthy. They would be ahead of where they are at the moment. Conversely, Cooper has committed a few errors. He has made some mistakes with substitutions and strategy.
“It is really hard to say if he is getting the best performance possible from the players, if another manager could get more out of that bunch, or if the team has enough quality under him. Most likely, the response falls somewhere between the two. It is true that some of the players should do better; their inaccuracies and poor performances have let him down.
Players must step up, but Cooper must demand more from the team. So far, some of the new players have not made the intended impact.
The reason Sangare was brought in was to address the claim that Forest lacked a central midfield. However, he has disappointed me thus far. Though not quite at the point where he was in charge, he has showed glimmers of his abilities and has begun to settle in. As with Awoniyi and Orel Mangala, you would like to think it will happen eventually. However, Forest needs it immediately; players must step up right away.
Presenter Dan Bardell, available elsewhere and on Sky Sports News
This is a team that, in my opinion, ought to be fighting for relegation. I simply believe that Forest will not be in a struggle for relegation because of the player turnover. Giving players time is essential, but it can be challenging when you’re purchasing so many players each window. And Forest needs to be well immediately.
Awoniyi is currently injured, which is unfortunate because he is the Forest team’s goal scorer and most likely irreplaceable. Brennan Johnson, a major contributor to Forest’s success the previous season, is also absent from Steve Cooper’s operations. The first three
“You now have Turner and Vlachodimos instead of Keylor Navas and Dean Henderson.” That is a major, major drop in goal. Saying that’s a goal downgrading is the only way to get past that. Observing Turner this season, I’ve believed he’s had difficulties.
“I think the goalie positions are worrying, and there wouldn’t be any goals up top without Awoniyi.” And then that ball-playing player isn’t there in the middle of the park.
Steve Cooper seems to be receiving players that he may not necessarily want to sign, so I feel bad for him. Origi would be playing if he had wished him to.
Steve Cooper seems to be carrying out his actions with one hand bound behind his back. Additionally, I believe that changing managers is extremely, extremely harmful for Forest.
