Premier League Preview – Nottingham Forest
After survival last season, can Nottingham Forest push on and become a Premier League mainstay?
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The summer so far…
After winning three out of their final six to stay up Nottingham Forest has adopted for a calmer approach in the transfer market this summer rather than the complete overhaul in the previous two transfer windows. USA international keeper Matt Turner has been signed from Arsenal alongside Swedish winger Anthony Elanga from Manchester United and the free signing of defender Ola Aina. Chris Wood has also made his loan move permanent and this stability will be needed if Forest are to stay up for a second season.
Worryingly perhaps are the off-field issues of player wages and transfer fees not being paid by owner Evangelos Marinakis. It will certainly be something to look out for as the season progresses.
Player to watch…
Brennan Johnson was one of the standout players for Forest's last campaign. With 8 goals in 38 appearances in the Premier League, it’s understandable that the likes of Tottenham have been heavily linked with the Welsh attacker. Johnson proved last season that he has the quality and critically the composure in front of goal that can get Nottingham Forest out of trouble this season. Forest fans will be hoping that Johnson is not involved in any deadline-day transfer drama for the sake of their own Premier League survival.
Kit Watch
The away kit looks like a wonky Argentina kit. Plus the lack of a kit sponsor makes the kit look slightly cooler. 3.5/5
Predicted Finish – 18th
We are predicting that Forest will be heading back down to the Championship. With the chaos of a transfer overhaul and the solid tactical work from Steve Cooper survival just about worked last time. However, you feel that the issues of unpaid wages could come back to haunt the two-time European Cup winners.