As a Forest fan, I would be the first to tell you how impressive the team’s recovery from a bad spell in the October-November period has been. The team still looks in good shape despite injuries to captain Chris Cohen and Kelvin Wilson. And with the likes of Jamie Paterson and Jamaal Lascelles starting to transform into first team regulars, the squad looks stronger than it has ever been since manager Billy Davies left the club the last time he was in charge.
Probably the most integral part in Forest’s promotion push is the midfield. It boasts the flair and energy of players like Henri Lansbury and Algerian International Djamel Abdoun. Yet it also has that mix of experience with temporary Captain Andy Reid and on-loan Sunderland player David Vaughn filling the ranks. All this ability makes Forest’s midfield one of the most diverse and threatening in the league. This is further shown by the impressive goal tally that the midfield has built up and the possession stats in most games being in the reds’ favour.
However, Forest have an Achilles heel: its strikers. Whilst boasting quality and phenomenal ability from time to time, they tend to be unable to score enough goals. For instance, In the last 4 home games Forest have scored 13 goals. Only 1 has been scored by a striker (Matt Derbyshire) and 2 by a defender (Both Greg Halford who did play up front in all fairness). The rest all came from that creative midfield aforementioned. This must be an indication to Forest chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi that the reds may have to spend (potentially big money) in the transfer window on a striker in order to score more and get all 3 points in games where they would only get 1 with the current squad.
As much as I would like to say that Forest will take the title this season, I can’t do so with the squad as is. I realistically see them finishing no higher than 3rd. However if they are prepared to invest in the transfer market and hold on to key players then they may by all means finish in the top 2. The real mystery is how they will fare in the playoffs should they make them, with Forest having a poor record in these competitions. The squad will have to show true resolve if they want to play at the top of English football.
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