Nottingham Forest have exceeded expectations at the start of the season but who has stood out the most?
It’s hard to believe Nottingham Forest only survived on the final day of last season.
Because there is a real positivity buzzing around the City Ground for the first time in an eternity with manager Mark Warburton presiding over an exciting, free-flowing style that has Forest sixth in the embryonic Championship table.
But which players, old or new, have stood out in the first few weeks of the new season?
Barrie McKay
Recruitment has let Forest down badly in recent seasons but director of football Frank McParland didn’t have far to look for a bargain in his first summer window at the club. The esteemed talent spotter looks to have pulled off an inspired coup bringing enigmatic winger McKay to the City Ground from former club Rangers this summer, where he was given his first-team chance by none other than Warburton.
Scoring and assisting two apiece in his first five league games, Rangers’ decision to let arguably their most naturally gifted player leave for as little as £500,000 (BBC) is nothing short of baffling. Their loss, however, is most certainly Forest’s gain as McKay adds skill, speed and end product out wide.
Daryl Murphy
Forest knew what they were getting when they plucked Murphy from Newcastle United this summer. The veteran striker is not the most technically gifted and hardly easy on the eye but his poaching instincts remain as sharp as ever at the grand old age of 34.
The Republic of Ireland international was the Championship’s top scorer when plundering 27 for Ipswich Town in 2014/15 and, while that tally looks beyond him, a return of three goals in his first five games for Forest isn’t bad going. A reliable, if not spectacular, replacement for Britt Assombalonga.
Kieran Dowell
Forest needed to sign well this summer after dreadful recruitment almost cost them their Championship status last season and it’s fair to say landing Dowell on loan from Everton is already looking like an impressive call.
One of the most highly-rated prospects in Everton’s Premier League 2 winning academy team, 19-year-old Dowell has started each of Forest’s last three league games and has made the step up to senior level look effortless. A headline performance against Middlesbrough, in which he set up McKay’s opening in a 2-1 win, highlighted his vast potential.
Joe Worrall
The only member of Forest’s underachieving 2016/17 squad to make the list, it’s a credit to Worrall that he came through such a disastrous season with his reputation hugely enhanced.
And, after captaining England to Toulon Tournament success this summer, the 20-year-old is well placed to kick on this season. A talented centre-half who appears to have improved his distribution since Warburton’s arrival, Worrall shone in victories over Millwall and Middlesbrough this season.
It appears only a matter of time before interest from the Premier League intensifies.
Andreas Bouchalakis
It’s fair to say few Forest fans were well versed on the skill set of Greek midfielder Bouchalakis when he joined on a free from Olympiakos this summer, reuniting with former owner Evangelos Marinakis in the East Midlands.
Yet, the 24-year-old wasted little time showing Forest fans what he’s all about, scoring two stunning goals in the thrilling 4-3 win at Brentford in August. An exciting midfielder with an eye for the spectacular, more consistency is required but the early signs are promising indeed.
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