Friday night is an important game for Nottingham Forest, and boss Steve Cooper faces some tough decisions when it comes to picking his starting line-up.
Fellow promoted side Fulham are the visitors to the City Ground (8pm kick-off), in what will be the Reds' final run-out before the international break. Forest had been due to make the trip to Leeds United on Monday, but that match - along with the rest of the weekend’s round of fixtures - was postponed following the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
Returning to action against the Cottagers, Cooper's men will do so with the aim of ending a three-match losing streak. And the head coach has some big calls to make, on the back of defeat at home to Bournemouth last time out.
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The Welshman is still getting to know his squad, with players having been arriving right up until the September 1 deadline. Time spent on the training ground since losing to the Cherries will have helped.
A key decision for his next XI will be who starts at the back. It was the familiar line-up of Joe Worrall, Steve Cook and Scott McKenna which lined up against Bournemouth, with that trio having been central to promotion success in the second half of last season.
Cooper chose not to throw most recent signings Willy Boly or Loic Bade straight into action on that occasion. But he might opt to make changes after the hosts’ second half collapse which saw them throw away a two-goal lead to lose 3-2.
The manager also has plenty of options should he want to tweak his midfield. Ryan Yates and Cheikhou Kouyate got the nod for the last game, and the latter opened the scoring with a header.
It remains to be seen whether Orel Mangala is quite ready to make a comeback, having been pictured back in training with his teammates. Lewis O’Brien could consider himself somewhat hard done by to drop to the bench against the Cherries, having impressed since making the switch from Huddersfield Town. And Remo Freuler will also be eager for more game time.
How Forest line-up in attack will also be crucial. Finding a way to get the best out of the talent he has at his disposal is a big challenge for Cooper.
In recent games, he has started without a recognised no.9, with Brennan Johnson, Jesse Lingard and Morgan Gibbs-White starting the last match. It could be argued that the Reds missed having a focal point up front, though, something Taiwo Awoniyi has previously provided.
Cooper rarely makes too many changes week to week, regardless of results. And he will be mindful that completely ripping up the team after the last match may be counterproductive. Even so, it seems likely that some alterations will be made.
Predicted Forest XI: Henderson; Worrall, Boly, McKenna; Williams, Yates, O’Brien, Lodi; Johnson, Lingard, Gibbs-White.
What would your Forest line-up be? Have your say in the comments below
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