A 1-1 tie between Brentford and Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest has been reported in the most recent news.
The fact that Nottingham Forest can thrill and frustrate in equal measure may say everything about where they are right now.
This season, head coach Steve Cooper has experienced a couple situations where he has left with conflicting emotions. Sunday was the same as Saturday.
The Reds, like in earlier games, offered hints of what they could accomplish when everything comes together against Brentford. The team includes some players with exceptional talent. They occasionally displayed excellent teamwork.
They just weren’t able to make it matter. The last little piece is what’s missing; there is still some finishing touches to do in terms of cleaning and bedding. The group is still coming together and new players are still adjusting.
After seven games, there has been progress, but there is still work to be done. The talking topics from Forest’s 1-1 tie with the Bees are examined.
Magnificent Murillo
Having impressed in training, centre-back Murillo was thrown straight into the starting line-up at the City Ground. It was a big call to make – he is 21, new to English football and had not even made the bench prior to Sunday, let alone got any minutes on the pitch.
He still has some rough edges, that much is evident. But he showed why he is seen as such a prospect and why Forest were willing to pay £11 million to get his services.
After stopping Keane Lewis-Potter with a superb tackle, the defender went on to display another aspect of his talent after the break. He grabbed the ball, ran with it, and then played a beautiful pass to Nicolas Dominguez.
According to statistics from the Premier League, he had an 83.3 percent pass accuracy ratio and made 11 clearances. It was a powerful collaboration with Willy Boly by his side, who was enormous once more. Murillo unquestionably fits Cooper’s ideal of what his team should be better on the ball.
Cooper needed left-footed players on that side of the field, therefore he decided to transfer Moussa Niakhate to left-back due to the injuries to Ola Aina and Nuno Tavares. This presented Murillo with a chance. He unquestionably seized the chance when it presented itself. The Brazilian might preserve his spot for Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace after Niakhate received a red card.
He is a very new player. In the Premier League, playing center defense is challenging, Cooper told the BBC. He performed exceptionally well in certain areas while falling short in others, which we are confident he can improve.
“He passes the ball with incredible accuracy. He has consistently demonstrated that during training. He would have improved regardless of how this game turned out because that’s what the Premier League is.
A midfield partnership
Given that the pitch’s center was a trouble area the previous season, Forest made strengthening there a priority in the summer. They also seem to have made excellent purchases.
Cooper avoided the implication that he had finally settled on his favorite midfield line-up while speaking prior to the game. He maintained that because decisions must be made after each game, it is not quite that easy. Orel Mangala, Dominguez, and Ibrahim Sangare appear to be a formidable combination, though.
On Sunday, they had a good sense of harmony about them. Sangare played his best game since arriving on deadline day, pinging some wonderful passes about and performing admirably in a role that was more advanced. Mangala was back to his best and in full control. Dominguez also unquestionably exudes class. Cooper wants to give those three the freedom to alternate between being high and deep as long as they cooperate.
The player of the last two contests, Dominguez finished off a strong start to his Forest career with a superb header to salvage a point on his home debut. Cooper will be hoping that the issue that led the former Bologna player to leave is not a major one so that he can continue to establish himself.
“Happy to have scored my first Premier League goal! Already anticipating what comes next! Let’s go,” Dominguez later said on Instagram.
Cooper remarked, “He was one of the smallest players on the field but got in the box with a fantastic header. “He’s a really good professional, dedicated, and puts in a lot of effort every day. Although he and everyone else still has work to do to get better, I believe he should be happy with his first two games. He got off to a good start, but that’s all it was.
Choosing actions
When Cooper announced his starting XI on Sunday, a few heads turned. Not the least of which is the decision to start Murillo and deploy Niakhate at left-back. The biggest shock, however, may have been seeing Morgan Gibbs-White listed as a reserve.
Cooper emphasized that the 23-year-old had not been let go. However, if the goal was to convey the idea that nowhere is safe, it might have achieved its goal.
This season, Gibbs-White hasn’t been at his best. However, when he came on, he appeared to have genuine fire in his belly. He contributed to the equalizer, and when he sprinted back to make an outstanding tackle late in the game, he received a thunderous round of applause. He demonstrated what it meant by roaring and then making a gesture toward the audience. possibly made my point?
“Morgan has had a tremendously busy summer, which is the problem. He played every game for England Under-21s (at the Euros) without a break because, being the kind of guy he is, he preferred to participate in pre-season, according to Cooper.
“I wouldn’t say that’s catching up with him, but it occasionally needs to be managed. We need Morgan, and we need him now. We don’t need a fatigued Morgan who is physically straining to keep up. But if we want to take a particular route, we do have options and game plans. All there was was that.
“We inserted him as soon as we could. Commitment and desire were not an issue. Everyone is aware of his importance to us, and he will continue to be.
When Harry Toffolo entered the game, he too raised questions, especially if the Reds still lack a left-back for their trip to Selhurst Park. He put in an excellent performance and gave Dominguez a peach of a cross.
Making strides
The first half featured some wonderful football from Forest. Anthony Elanga, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, the top three, each had their moments, but Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken had a very quiet game.
After the interval, there was a notable display of tenacity. Not only did the hosts respond well to falling behind by one goal, but they also persevered through some testing times at the conclusion.
They sought the victory even when they had only 10 soldiers left. Late in the game, Cooper sent on Divock Origi and Chris Wood to try to press the issue.
To get more aggressive players on when we make changes is something we definitely intend to do this season. We easily could have used the substitutes to go more defensively, but instead we started with two forwards and Morgan in a deeper midfield position,” he remarked.
“The lads were really committed to seeing the point through. I’m not saying we’re happy with a point because we want to be winning this game.
Talking points were the refereeing decisions; Forest had a couple lucky escapes, while Cooper questioned the red card. The Reds had some encouraging moments on the field, but they also demonstrated that they are still a work in progress.
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