Nottingham Forest were one of the busiest clubs on transfer deadline day as they brought in two big signings and sold one player before the window closed until January.
Though Nottingham Forest were unable to get the goalkeeper they wanted after failing in attempts to sign Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher, they did strengthen in two key areas.
In what could transpire to be an incredibly astute move, the Reds brought in James Ward-Prowse on loan for the season from West Ham to bring passing elegance and a real threat from setpieces to the side.
In addition, Nuno Espirito Santo added some defensive reinforcement with the signing of Brazilian centre-back Morata in a £15m deal from Benfica.
The only departure was third-choice goalkeeper Matt Turner, who moved to Crystal Palace on loan a year after his £10m move to the City Ground.
It was a positive deadline day for Forest and Espirito Santo can unleash a new-look strongest starting XI in the first game after the international break against Liverpool, which might even include a formation change.
Back four or back three?
Espirito Santo has tended to play a 4-2-3-1 formation since he took charge from Steve Cooper last season but he hasn’t been afraid to switch things up if the fixture calls for it.
The manager deployed a back-three twice last term, in defeats to Manchester City and Chelsea, while also lining his side up in the system in the Carabao Cup defeat on penalties to Newcastle last week.
Though Forest are yet to win in the formation, they have not been able to name a strong back three in any of them.
With Morato joining fellow new signing Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, Forest now have an extremely strong and capable back three.
The flexibility will come in handy, but a back four of Neco Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic and Aina in front of Matz Sells is still probably the strongest defence, with Morato in reserve.
A much-needed midfield upgrade
West Ham spent a massive £30m on Ward-Prowse just a year ago and he was a key player, making 53 appearances and contributing seven goals and 11 assists, yet he has been cast aside.
New manager Julen Lopetegui feels he can improve his midfield with the signing of Carlos Soler from PSG and Forest didn’t hesitate to pounce on their decision.
There couldn’t have been a better example of why a player with Ward-Prowse’s classy composure on the ball is needed than at the weekend.
Forest had taken the lead against Wolves through Chris Wood but held onto it for just two minutes.
There was little danger as the Reds headed clear a throw-in but when the ball dropped in front of Ibrahim Sangare, under little pressure, he wildly hacked at a clearance instead of bringing the ball under control or even clearing it properly.
Instead, he booted it across the pitch into a dangerous area where it was intercepted by Mario Lemina, who teed up Jean-Ricner Bellegarde to fire home from distance.
It was a completely avoidable goal that wouldn’t have happened if a player had a better touch and calmness in his place. Soon, at least, that will be Ward-Prowse.
He should partner fellow new signing Elliot Anderson in the middle to create a dynamic, hard-working yet technically gifted double pivot behind Morgan Gibbs-White.
A dangerous attack
Forest’s attack is set in stone and it’s one of the most lively and dangerous in the lower half of the Premier League.
In Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, Forest have two wingers who are starting to realise their potential and are providing skill, pace and a cutting edge from the flanks. All in support of the towering Wood, who just keeps scoring.
With Ward-Prowse’s expert set-piece delivery from corners and free-kicks, the big New Zealander is bound to bag even more goals as the season goes on.
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