Jermaine Jenas says he would have taken Nottingham Forest’s current position at this stage of the season, but is concerned about the Reds’ lack of goals.
Steve Cooper’s side sit 13th in the table, four points above Sunday’s opponents Everton. Following a shaky start as the plethora of new signings settled in, Forest rose up the table thanks to their impressive form at City Ground, which has become something of a fortress. However, scoring goals remains an issue, with 18 in 24 games overall and just three on their travels. That said, Jenas remains hopeful his former club will retain their top-flight status.
“They had a blip at the start of the season, trying to integrate the new players,” the footballer turned TV present told Metro. “When the fans get behind Forest, no one wants to go and play them.
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“The goals concern me. They don’t win games comfortably. They’re doing alright but it can quickly get away from you. There’s work to do but I would have taken this right now.”
Asked to pick his standout signing since promotion, Jenas went for big-money signing Morgan Gibbs-White.
“Morgan Gibbs-White has been a standout performer with and without the ball. He has a bit extra and he works his socks off,” said the former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder.
“The January signing of Keylor Navas was massive because the injury to Dean Henderson was a big blow. You know with Navas when a big save needs to be made, he’s going to be there most of the time. Days like [the 4-0 defeat at West Ham} are going to happen.”
Overall, Jenas is happy with the progress made and feels the Reds’ transfer approach is being vindicated.
“You take a gamble when you try to bring in quality,” he added. “You can have a Renan Lodi, a Navas, a Jonjo Shelvey, but if you are on the bench, there can’t be any sulking or ringing agents. When that happens, you’re doomed. But the position Forest are in shows what a good job Steve Cooper is doing.”
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