How Nottingham Forest could line up after transfer deadline day as Nuno faces selection dilemma
Should transfer deadline day end without any new signings at the City Ground, it is unlikely there would be any complaints from Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Portuguese has consistently said only “special” targets should be considered by the Reds. His priority has always been to hang on to his squad and only sanction reinforcements if they can improve it.
If Forest can somehow get a deal for a striker over the line, it would certainly bolster Nuno’s attacking options. But up front aside, he has strength in depth in pretty much every other area of the pitch.
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And Saturday’s 7-0 demolition of Brighton and Hove Albion saw the equivalent of two new signings make their mark. It is a cliche, but having midfielders Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare fully fit again is as much of a boost for the Reds as any new arrivals would be.
Danilo was back in the starting XI for his first Premier League appearance since breaking his ankle on the opening day of the campaign. For Sangare, his cameo off the bench represented his comeback from the hamstring problem which had sidelined him since the end of August.
“It is important to get them back into the squad because we have been missing them. We have good options in midfield. I am confident that they can help us,” Nuno said afterwards.
Forest are now well stocked in the centre of the pitch. It leaves Nuno with a selection headache, albeit one he would rather have than not.
Danilo and Sangare started together when Bournemouth were the visitors to the City Ground on August 17. Their partnership lasted only a few minutes before the former’s horror injury brought it to a premature end that day.
By the time the Reds are next in Premier League action, away to Fulham on February 15, Sangare will have had an extra couple of weeks to work on his fitness. This week’s warm weather training camp in Dubai will help with that.
If he wishes to, Nuno could soon pair Danilo and Sangare together again. But he also has plenty of other options.
Elliot Anderson has made himself virtually undroppable with some of his displays. The former Newcastle United man worked well alongside Danilo from the start against the Seagulls.
Nicolas Dominguez has also put in some big performances so far this term while few players can scrap and wind up the opposition like Ryan Yates. Taking all of this into account, although Nuno valued the professionalism of West Ham United loanee James Ward-Prowse, sanctioning a return to his parent club makes much sense.
Meanwhile, at the top end of the pitch, Forest will hope they can soon welcome back Callum Hudson-Odoi from a groin problem. When he returns, it will be another considerable boost - although a change in formation saw the hosts cope well in the winger’s absence against Brighton.
Even in the event of no new faces, there is the possibility the Reds’ line-up could have a different look by the time the trip to Craven Cottage comes around. It is dependent on fitness, obviously, but if not then at some point in the near future the starting XI could be: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Danilo; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
