Nottingham Forest urgently need an upturn in fortunes after dropping into the bottom three on the back of nine games without a win.
Owner Evangelos Marinakis demanded an immediate improvement in results and performances when he backed head coach Steve Cooper last week. The Reds did play better against Aston Villa last time out, but they still fell to a 2-0 defeat.
The challenges do not get any easier, with Manchester United visiting the City Ground on Sunday. And to add to Cooper’s woes, Forest continue to be hit hard by injuries.
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Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate were forced off at Villa Park, while Renan Lodi and Gustavo Scarpa missed out and Emmanuel Dennis was “a risk” being included on the bench. That is in addition to a number of long-term absentees still in the treatment room.
Player availability will have a significant impact on how the Reds line up against United. Cooper has some big decisions to make when it comes to picking his team.
Switching to a three-man defence of Joe Worrall, Felipe and Niakhate worked well last weekend, up until the visitors’ game-plan fell apart once they conceded. But even if the manager wanted to stick with that system, he might not get the chance to do so.
If Niakhate is ruled out, Forest will likely revert to their usual formation of four at the back - not least because they would be down to two fit centre-backs again, in Worrall and Felipe. Scott McKenna was on the bench in the West Midlands but did not get any minutes on the pitch after a lengthy lay-off.
The Reds are short of options at full-back, too, with Serge Aurier having missed the last three games and Lodi expected to be out “for a little bit”. Neco Williams and Harry Toffolo looked better for being utilised as wing-backs against Villa, but circumstances may mean their roles change again this weekend.
Perhaps the biggest dilemma for Cooper involves his midfield. Losing Kouyate again would be a blow, if his hamstring problem proves a serious one, while Ryan Yates continues to be a huge miss.
If neither of those two are available, much rests on Forest finding the right combination in the centre of the pitch - something they haven’t always got right of late. Remo Freuler and Orel Mangala dropped to the bench last Saturday, but they could come back in at the City Ground, with Jonjo Shelvey’s error having proved costly against Villa.
In attack, it remains to be seen whether Dennis is completely fit, likewise Jesse Lingard. Cooper will no doubt be hoping Taiwo Awoniyi is able to start, having got some more minutes under his belt as a substitute.
Having started without an out-and-out striker at Villa Park, the Reds did look dangerous on the counterattack in the first half. But they will need to find a way of offering greater threat against United, with goals continuing to be a problem.
Predicted Forest XI (assuming those who are injury doubts cannot play): Navas; Williams, Worrall, Felipe, Toffolo; Freuler, Mangala, Danilo; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Awoniyi.
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