Nottingham Forest has began the 2024/25 Premier League season with five points from three games and is unbeaten.
This summer, the Reds recruited 11 new players to their team, prioritizing quality over number in a refreshing change of pace.
Two of those players, James Ward-Prowse and Morato, joined on transfer deadline day, and Forest will look to get them on the pitch as soon as possible.
Nuno Espirito Santo, the Reds’ head coach, is facing some minor conundrums as the new players settle in.
He’s desperate to discover a winning formula, and there are plenty of loose ends to tie up around the pitch.
John Percy believes that one Nottingham Forest signing can benefit Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Hudson-Odoi’s form is not a concern right now. He scored eight goals last season but has failed to find the net this season.
Hudson-Odoi enjoys cutting inside, and against Wolves on Saturday, the opposition took advantage of him several times.
The task for Espirito Santo is to give him more space and freedom to do his stuff and find his way back to the goal.
John Percy, a Telegraph journalist, spoke with the Forest Focus podcast and believes Alex Moreno is one man who could aid Hudson-Odoi.
Percy stated, “Moreno is an overlapping full-back who enjoys moving forward.
“His first season at Villa was excellent, but in his second season, he struggled slightly. Lucas Digne played more that season, although he is also good with set pieces. Moreno is a good athlete with a nice age, experience, and the potential to offer the gamesmanship that the squad now lacks.
“He will relieve the attacking pressure on Hudson-Odoi and help support him down the left.”
Moreno needs to play after the international break.
Ola Aina was a fantastic free transfer for Forest, but the Reds did not sign Moreno to sit on the bench.
The 31-year-old has signed in to get some minutes under his belt, and after two weeks of practice, he should receive the call.
The decision to play Moreno is not tough for Espirito Santo; it is what he chooses to do on the other side.
Neco Williams has been out of sorts this season, while Aina is a natural right-back.
It’s possible that he chooses to play Moreno at left-back, switch the Nigerian to right-back, and drop the Welshman.
Getting the most out of Hudson-Odoi is undoubtedly one of Espirito Santo’s biggest challenges at Forest right now.
Placing Moreno at left-back would provide some balance, and his attacking abilities may be incredibly beneficial to the Forest winger.
