Nottingham Forest look set to dump their three-man defensive system as they prepare for their Championship clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
After their poor showing against rivals Derby County last weekend, Nottingham Forest fought back to secure a 1-1 draw against Preston North End in their mid-week Championship fixture.
The turnaround in fortunes seemed to stem from a change in system – away from the previously used 3-5-1-1, to a more suited 4-2-3-1 set-up. Indeed, the players at manager Philippe Montanier’s disposal appeared far more comfortable, as some returned to more familiar roles on the pitch.
After a poor first half display against Preston, Montanier moved Eric Lichaj from left wing-back to his preferred right back position, advanced Hildeberto Perreira into midfield and re-introduced Armand Traore into the side at left back.
Ahead of welcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers to the City Ground, Montanier is likely to retain the system so effective in the second period against Preston – meaning that central defender Damien Perquis could be demoted to the substitutes bench against Paul Lambert’s Wolves.
Goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic is in-line to start behind a back four of Lichaj, Matt Mills, Joe Worrall and Traore – given that the former Arsenal left back shakes off a slight knee knock picked up against Preston.
Shielding the back line in the double pivot roles, we expect playmaker David Vaughan to play slightly deeper than central midfield partner Pajtim Kasami.
In the continued absence of Henri Lansbury, out with a hamstring problem, it is likely that 19-year-old Matty Cash will be given his fifth start in a row in a more advanced midfield role – after being deployed as a wing-back in recent games.
On the flanks, Ben Osborn is expected to start on the left, despite encouraging performances in central areas lately – with Perreira selected on the right.
The duo will hope to provide much needed support and service to front-man Nicklas Bendtner; although top-scorer Apostolos Vellios is pushing for a starting spot ahead of the Denmark international.
Here is Nottingham Forests’ predicted line-up in full:
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