Reds Countdown To Championship Start

It all seems a little underwhelming, but Nottingham Forest open-up their EFL Championship campaign this Sunday at Coventry City as a real life full crowd for the first time in the league since seemingly ever, and the SKY cameras once again of course, cast anticipated eye on the sky blues and garibaldi reds at the returning venue of the Ricoh Arena in a 4:30pm kick off for the first of a minimum 46 league match long season.

The Football League start is actually this Friday night, as Bournemouth take on West Bromwich Albion before a full day of action on Saturday and two further games Sunday with Chris Hughton’s men the last of the lot to get everything up and running.

The excitement however on returning fans and the enthusiasm of a promotion push towards potential Premier League kudos, perhaps not quite as they would be, had Forest gone ahead and signed someone of outfield relevance this summer, but football post covid is different from the old norm we knew, a more cautious approach by many in the EFL and no less than six without spending a penny in the Championship during the summer thus far, this year could be one that focusses on solidarity and sticking to hands already dealt instead of gambling on not knowing what to expect.

Football seems secondary these days, Forest recently had to postpone two important pre-season friendlies with a number of failed covid tests within camp, health coming first, preparations for the campaign in tatters, it now means Forest go into their first league match of the new season without a match of significance since a draw at Crewe Alexandra on July 24^th, the Reds yet to play anyone above League One status since the last day of last season and a 2-1 home defeat by Preston.

A summer of insignificance it seems, but the Reds have had to shuffle their playing pack, out with the old, not necessarily in with the new, but in with the young, is this the year Forest trust in youth?

Of that final day loss against Preston, exit door Christie, Ribeiro, Garner, Knockaert, Krovinovic. Glenn Murray who came off the bench that day has now retired, let go were fans favourites Sammy Ameobi, Michael Dawson and Samba Sow amongst others of less significance.

Incoming see’s Ethan Horvath an American International goalkeeper from Club Brugge, not a bad signing, but quite concerning perhaps, is he was the only one.

Whilst Brice Samba has done nothing to suggest he’s going to be ousted as Reds first choice, Horvath will at least provide competition in the goalkeeping department, other areas perhaps are more concerning, left back, right back, in midfield and attack seems a little light.

Brought back from the loan wilderness however, Joao Carvalho, record club signing that failed during a season long spell at Spanish second tier side Almeria. Nuno da Costa, more impressive perhaps with 6 goals in 25 games for Belgian outfit Mouscron, and Brennan Johnson, the 20-year-old academy starlet who’s already attracted Premier League interest, a player that starred in Lincoln City’s League One promotion push. Lincoln eventually lost to Blackpool in the playoffs which featured another reds loanee in Jordan Gabriel, the 22-year-old right back has started in pre-season with Manager Chris Hughton perhaps looking towards the London born youngster filling that particular void.

Financially Forest have had to be more restrictive this summer and as other clubs in the division do the same, targets have to be realistic on last seasons 17^th placed position. Progress would be anything towards mid-table, without signing players to improve the squad, playoffs and promotion will surely be too far away.

But the Reds can have faith in the players they have, footballers more than good enough to put a run together, and in the Championship as we know, anything really can happen, and Chris Hughton has far from the worse team in the division (that mantle goes to Derby).

Only time will tell if the Reds caution to acquire is the right way to play ball, a win on Sunday will certainly suggest having faith in what is already at the club, could well pay off. After all the Manager has form, trust in him and his ways is essential.

It doesn’t feel like the start of something special, but Forest might not be as far away as they look, two top goalkeepers now, four very decent centre halves, an experienced midfield and an attack with credentials at the level, if the likes of Joe Lolley and Jack Colback can return to form, if the likes of Brennan Johnson and Jordan Gabriel can step up too, then Forest could be optimistic, that this year will be the one, although please keep your feet well and firmly on the ground, it’ll no doubt be a long hard season of football, as it always is in the Championship.