Skip to content
Keep or sell: Eight Nottingham Forest players in the transfer spotlight
Nottingham Forest are looking to strengthen going into their second season back in the Premier League, but with a bloated squad, some players will have to be sold.
The Garibaldi Red podcast focussed on the futures of fringe players who could be moved on to accommodate others in Steve Cooper’s 25-man squad.
The debate did not include players who were out on loan, bar briefly touching on goalkeeper Ethan Horvath, with the focus on those who were in the first team this season and find themselves in a position where big decisions have to be made. Here is a look at what was said by the panel of Matt Davies, Greg Mitchell, Michael Temple and Mikey Clarke.
READ MORE: Henderson signs, curse avoided, Arter out – Forest dream transfer window
READ MORE: Forest ‘set’ to make bid for defender
Goalkeepers
Dean Henderson will hopefully be first choice with Ethan Horvath or Wayne Hennessey as the number two. Hennessey would likely be sold if Horvath stays. Loan out young goalkeeper George Shelvey to get regular games.
Defence
Felipe, Moussa Niakhate and Serge Aurier will be among the first names on the team sheet. Keep Harry Toffolo, Neco Williams and Willy Boly. Also retain Joe Worrall and offer him a new contract.
Steve Cook should be sold despite distinguished service. Omar Richards could be loaned out depending on if a new left-back is signed.
Player in the spotlight
Scott McKenna
MT: “He’s in that maybe column. If the right offer came in, he’d probably depart. We’re looking to upgrade. I do think he might find himself towards the bottom of the depth chart and could be on his way.”
GM: “If he stayed fit last season I don’t think this would be a discussion. When he played last season clean sheets were there. It depends who we get in. If we get another Felipe then there’s no argument. He needs an incredible pre-season and an injury free one. I’d keep him.”
MC: “If we’re going to play a back three you need six centre-backs. Unless we can get someone of higher quality you keep him and extend his contract to protect his value. When he was fit he looked pretty solid.
“If there’s better out there move him on but I wouldn’t be pushing him out the door.”
Midfielders
Ryan Yates, Orel Mangala, Cheikou Kouyate and Danilo should all stay on.
Players in the spotlight
Remo Freuler
MT: “He’s so far from our starting XI at this moment in time. He didn’t cut the mustard at the end of the season after a pretty bold decision to leave him out. He’s not done too much wrong but I can’t think of many games where he was better than a 7/10.
“We’re a better team with Yates, Mangala and Danilo. Kouyate has a role off the bench seeing out games. Freuler’s not someone who makes and impact off the bench. I imagine he’ll have lots of suitors in Europe and will go.”
GM : “He had a lot of chances. Cooper didn’t make the change quick enough I’d say. He doesn’t really fit the way we want to play, so for me you make a space by moving him on.”
MC: “When he signed people at the club were really excited about him. I’m not sure what happened. In his defence, he started ok and he put the work in. I just think we’ve evolved as a team so unfortunately I’d sell.”
MD : “I don’t think the conductor tag did him any favours. He was expected to dictate games with the ball but this was a team that never dominated possession. Good player, but shake hands and go your separate ways.”
Jonjo Shelvey
GM: “I can’t make any case to keep him. For him and for us move him on. It’s going to be for a loss but hopefully there’s a team who wants him.”
MT: “Forest will be paying him in some form next season, even if it’s a loan. The club taking him will know how desperate we are to get rid so they would want Forest to pay some of his wages. Wherever he needs to go I’ll drive him.”
MC: “I can’t see any way he features next season. You’ll get some signings that don’t hit the mark and he’s one. Move him on and take the loss.”
Lewis O’Brien
MD: “I thought he was really unlucky to miss out on the 25 man squad. I hope there’s a future for him. He’s talented. He was man of the match against West Ham and there were games where we need a ball carrying midfielder like him.”
MT: “He’s been very unlucky. I don’t think he was given a fair crack. The time for him was probably last season when we came up. We’re aiming to kick on now.
“He deserved more minutes than he got, but I don’t see him getting minutes this coming season. The promoted clubs would be wise to look at him. If we want to press on I don’t think he’s the answer and he should move on.”
GM: “If we had gone down he’d have been a critical part of the squad. I can’t see with us signing players this summer how his situation changes so he’ll move on. If he goes to a promoted team he’ll make them better.”
MC: “He’s the player I go back and forth on. If we went down he’d have been integral. He lost his place realistically to Shelvey so the compassionate side of me says give him a chance but I’m unsure if he’s the man to take us forwards. If he is in the 25 man squad at the end of the window then let’s make use of him. We need to do right by him as a club whatever happens.”
Forwards
Taiwo Awoniyi, Brennan Johnson and Morgan Gibbs-White are essential. Alex Mighten needs a loan or a permanent exit.
In the spotlight
Chris Wood
GM: “He’s on big wages and came for a big price. Would he be willing to take a pay cut to go elsewhere? I don’t think so. I’d be disappointed if he was starting the first game of next season or was even on the bench if we’ve signed someone. I’d like to see him move on as it’s not worked.”
MT: “From what I’ve seen in a Forest shirt he doesn’t deserve too much love but I’d love to be proved wrong. I don’t think we’ll offload him. I don’t think we’ll find a better 10 or 15 minute target man. If we’re going to kick on I don’t think he’s the man to get you to 10th or 12th in the Premier League.”
MC: “He’s a bench option. The only real focal point we have is Taiwo so I see why he was signed. Until we can get better players you have to back him. I still think there’s a player there based on his career record in struggling teams.”
Sam Surridge
MC: “He can finish. I think he was criminally underused because Wood and Ayew were ahead of him. If he went to Luton or Sheffield United he’d score goals. Next season I hope we’ll get more chances and I want chances to fall to him. I think he can be really useful off the bench. I’d keep him.”
MT: “He’s not got an elite physical attribute like pace but we saw how he could finish in our promotion season. I love having him on the bench. He’s a great pro. I would keep him in the squad but will he want to be an understudy again? He’ll never be a starter in this team.”
GM: “You’d like to think he wants games. He’s not done much wrong for us, but I’d like to see someone come in for him. It’s better for everyone. He’d still be ahead of Wood for me though.”
Gustavo Scarpa
GM: “He needs a really good pre-season. He hasn’t really had a run in the side. He’s exciting but he’s not as young as Danilo. He doesn’t start for me, but if does well off the bench you never know.”
MT: “I can’t see him getting a run unless Gibbs-White is out and we’re trying to build a team around him. Scarpa is the closest thing we have to Morgan but we’re so sold on him that we won’t rotate him.
“I think Scarpa is destined to be frustrated despite his flair and range of passing.”
MC: “I’m not sure of his best position. I’ve not seen enough of him. He could be very useful for us. He needs a good pre-season. He’s not got any momentum but there’s definitely a hell of a player in there.”
MD: “He’s mega talented but he needs an injury or suspension to get his foot in the door. He needs a run of games. Good player but needs a chance from the misfortune of others.”
Emmanuel Dennis
MC: “I’d definitely move him on. When the chips are down you need to put an extra 10 percent in, but when I saw him he gave the ball away, made the wrong decisions and waved his arms around. I was never convinced and I’m still not. He’d be second to Shelvey on my list to sell.”
MT: “I’m not as stringent as Mikey. I can make a case to keep him as he has it within him to improve. He got goals in a struggling team at Watford. I’ve seen an impact from the bench from him. He’s a bench warmer but if it clicks he can be a 10 goal a season man and he gets one more chance for me.”
GM: “He’s behind Johnson, Awoniyi and Gibbs-White for me. If you get a good bid for him then take it but if not he’s on the edge of being that player that can do something.”
MD: “I don’t think you can shift Wood, you’ve got three good forwards and you want to improve with a signing so he’s the sacrificial lamb you move on. He’s a good player but I don’t think the manager fancies him.”
Do you agree? Have your say in the comments section below
READ NEXT:
