Mark Warburton appears to have Nottingham Forest in good hands and Walsall creator Erhun Oztumer could thrive at the City Ground.
Mark Warburton’s Nottingham Forest revolution was one bad result away from ending in disaster. However, after surviving on the final day of the Championship season by virtue of a 3-0 hammering of Ipswich Town, it appears that a brighter future lies ahead at the City Ground.
The former Rangers and Brentford boss has already offered fans tantalising glimpses of the thrilling, free-flowing football he plans to instill at Forest. Meanwhile, with talented young players like Zach Clough and Ben Brereton writing headlines, it appears that the club’s short-term prospects are looking up.
At least that is the opinion of Michael Mancienne. The 29-year-old centre-back had looked set to leave the club at the end of the season before inking a new two-year contract late last month.
And the former England Under-21 captain insists that Warburton’s presence in the dugout was a major factor in him committing his future to Forest.
‘Positive future’
“We want to play football. We don’t want to lump the ball long – we want to play,” Mancienne told the club’s official website. “And [Warburton’s] style of play is something that suits the players we have in the team. I think we can do really well, playing the way that he wants to play.
“He wants us to do that. I think he is putting everything in place for a positive future. I wanted to be a part of that.”
And such comments are likely to go down well with potential transfer targets. HITC sources told us that Forest are challenging promoted League One duo Bolton Wanderers and Sheffield United for Walsall talisman Erhun Oztumer.
‘Turkish Messi’
The so-called ‘Turkish Messi’ netted 15 goals and produced seven assists in the season just gone, while his eye for the spectacular and superb dead ball delivery would make him a sure fans favourite at the City Ground.
Erhun Oztumer in action for former club Peterborough United
More importantly, however, Oztumer is a player who thrives when given the freedom to perform. And Warburton’s tactics could make Forest his ideal destination.
One thing is for sure: Oztumer’s arrival would only add to cautious feel-good factor.
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