On to the real stuff, then. The countdown to Nottingham Forest’s Premier League return can now begin in earnest.
Pre-season is done and dusted, the friendlies are out of the way, and Newcastle United await in less than a week’s time. This is where it really starts to get serious for the Reds.
Asked after their final run-out if he was happy with how his team’s summer programme had gone, Steve Cooper admitted he “always wants more”. It was typical of the Forest boss’ mentality; constantly striving for improvement.
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The seven matches will have provided plenty for him to mull over. Some positives, some areas to work on, some decisions to be made - transfer and selection-wise.
Rounding it all off was a 1-1 draw with Valencia at Notts County’s Meadow Lane. Reds reporter Sarah Clapson looks at some of the big talking points from the game.
Lingard’s bow
He almost got a soaking from the sprinklers when the players had a wander around the pitch after arriving. But there was no raining on Jesse Lingard’s parade as he made his debut.
The former Manchester United man got a particularly loud cheer when his name was read out in the starting line-up - he knows the spotlight is going to be on him in the coming months. And he gave a good account of himself on the pitch.
A lack of meaningful minutes in pre-season told at times, but Lingard offered enough of a glimpse to suggest he can make a significant impact this term. He showed some lovely touches and was involved in some neat link-up play, with plenty of the Reds’ attacking threat going through him early on. Even if the end product wasn’t always there, he’s still clearly got class.
He was committed, too. All-in.
When Sam Surridge got into a bit of a tussle with Gabriel Paulista, Lingard was the first one to go charging in and help out his new teammate. And in the second half, he sprinted back and put in a challenge when Valencia countered from a corner. For all the chatter his arrival has prompted, the man himself has the potential to do his talking on the pitch.
Awoniyi’s assist
Not creating too many chances is something which has stood out in Forest’s friendlies. It’s clear they do still need to add to their attacking resources - although once Lingard is up to sharpness, he should make a difference.
Saturday’s showing was better than previous games, indeed it was somewhat harsh that Valencia were the ones in front at half-time. Cooper’s men did look bright going forward; they just didn’t make the most of getting into promising positions and at least test the goalkeeper.
Taiwo Awoniyi has come in for a bit of stick from some fans. Breaking the club record for a fee paid brings with it a certain amount of expectation, and he has looked in need of a goal to boost his confidence.
But his cameo from the bench against Valencia demonstrated what he can do, if the Reds play to his strengths. An exquisite pass from Scott McKenna set him free down the channel and he hustled his marker off the ball before teeing up Brennan Johnson for the equaliser.
Awoniyi and Johnson almost combined again for the winner a few minutes later, with the latter denied by a good save from the goalkeeper. More of the same when the proper action starts would be nice.
At the back
Valencia provided a good test for Forest; their most competitive one of pre-season. The Spanish outfit were sharp.
Defensively, the Reds did have their moments. The Great Wall of Nottingham - of Joe Worrall, Steve Cook and McKenna - didn’t have quite the same cohesion as we came to expect last season, and they did get caught for pace a few times.
But overall, the visitors were limited to few chances. Dean Henderson made some solid saves when they did break through, and the goalkeeper was generally good with his distribution. He’s comfortable with the ball at his feet, too, as in one moment where he performed a tidy turn under pressure before finding a teammate.
The opener, while well-worked, was still a disappointing one to let in. Valencia turned the ball over when Forest were well-placed, with the impressive Goncalo Guedes then able to put a cross in from the right. Carlos Soler was left unmarked to steam in at the far post and lash it home. It was the kind of goal Cooper’s side won’t want to concede too many of in the Premier League.
O’Brien impresses
Among some other good individual performances, Lewis O’Brien particularly caught the eye. The midfielder has slotted in seamlessly since making the switch from Huddersfield Town.
He covered so much ground against Valencia. His workrate was tireless. He used the ball well whenever he had it, and there was a constant drive to win it back whenever the Reds lost possession.
The balance with Jack Colback in the centre of the pitch generally worked, even if Forest could have done with a little more dynamism in there. The two seem to have gelled pretty quickly, though.
Lingard, perhaps understandably, will be the summer signing which garners much of the wider interest. But O’Brien has shown there are other newcomers at the City Ground who have the potential to make just as big an impact.
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