The best and worst areas of Nottingham Forest’s side

Follow us on Google Discover

The Reds have had a turbulent campaign, but they’re not poor all over the pitch.

Nottingham Forest fans protest against owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi

As Nottingham Forest’s Championship status lies in the balance with the club just one point above the relegation zone, it would be fair to say that they have more than a few weaknesses.

However, they aren’t in the drop zone – for now at least – and on paper, Forest’s squad does have a lot of talent in it, which if used correctly, could give them more strengths than weaknesses. Here’s where they’re strongest and weakest at present.

Best area – strikers

Forest have a host of quality strikers on their books, it’s just all season long, they’ve been starved of service or have been mismanaged or not played correctly. Britt Assombalonga, Ross McCormack, Apostolos Vellios and Ben Brereton represents a play-off chasing quality as depth for forwards go, and with Zach Clough behind them scoring goals and playing them in, it’s amazing how neither Philippe Montanier or Gary Brazil found a way to make it work. Hopefully for Forest fans, new boss Mark Warburton will be able to do so, as on paper, their strike force is too good to not be working.

Worst area – defence

The Reds have good defenders on their books, as well as several promising ones – yet for some reason, they have been an utter shambles at times this season. Opposing players are essentially free to shoot from range at will as they won’t be closed down, while the defensive mistakes made seem to be at at an all time high – maybe down to the position the club are in at present, or maybe because of the regularity of crippling individual errors. Take Forest’s last game against Derby County, for the Rams’ first goal, Danny Fox was twice at fault – abysmally giving the ball away then ambitiously allowing Matej Vydra to get to the cross unmarked – while for the second, Joe Worrall mistimed his jump. Granted injuries don’t help matters, but Warburton needs to solidify his defence.