Latest Nottingham Forest verdict: Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds downed 1-0 by Elche in pre-season friendly.
Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest’s head coach, will return to the UK with a lot to think about following their time in Spain.
The Portuguese saw the previous week’s training camp as a crucial aspect of Liverpool’s preparations for the forthcoming Premier League season. He can be delighted with the effort put in and the progress his side has achieved, even if they ended their journey with their first defeat of the summer.
Forest played three games at the Pinatar Arena during their stay in Murcia, having previously defeated Chesterfield at the SMH Group Stadium in their first pre-season encounter. A draw with Sunderland was followed by a victory against Millwall, before a 1-0 defeat to Elche on Friday night.
Nuno’s troops faced a unique challenge from the Spanish team. Sarah Clapson, a Reds reporter, looks at the game’s biggest talking points…
Striker needed.
Nuno has made it plain that a winger is needed before the transfer window shuts. He is not incorrect, but bringing in a striker should also be a priority.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s lack of minutes in preseason is perhaps cause for concern. The Nigerian was unable to participate in the first two friendlies due to a personal situation, and he arrived late in Spain to join his colleagues.
He had joined the squad before the games against Millwall and Elche, but he did not play. Following the victory over the Spireites, Nuno stated that pre-season was especially “important” for Awoniyi because to his previous injury concerns.
Chris Wood did not appear against Elche, either. It was suggested that he skipped a training session in preparation for the game owing to load management, which could explain his absence.
Forest played the first half without a recognizable striker due to the absence of Awoniyi and Wood. Nuno is unlikely to repeat this attempt in the near future. It did not work.
Hwang Ui-jo came on for the second half but will most likely leave in the coming weeks. He isn’t the answer, and the Reds could benefit from adding more firepower.
Midfield dilemma
The top end of the pitch may still need some attention in the transfer market, but Forest appear to be well-prepared in midfield. If anything, Nuno already has an unpleasant selection problem.
Friday night wasn’t the Reds’ best preseason showing, but that doesn’t really matter. However, a few guys stood out.
Elliot Anderson drew attention in the first half. In the second, Ibrahim Sangare was a cut above.
