Talking Tactics: How newly-promoted Forest will line up in 2022-23

Nottingham Forest have been making moves in the transfer market ahead of their first Premier League campaign since 1998-99.

Last season’s Championship play-off winners have brought in 12 new faces to Steve Cooper’s squad already.

Jesse Lingard was the latest man to join the Reds’ revolution — but how will they line up at Newcastle on the opening weekend?

We take a look at their depth and the decisions Cooper has to make.

Goalkeeper

First-choice keeper Brice Samba has moved to Lens, while No2 Ethan Horvath has gone out on loan to Luton.

That means two new faces in the goalkeeping department and Manchester United loanee Dean Henderson will be the clear No1.

Experienced Wales international Wayne Hennessey will deputise, meaning the Reds have undoubtedly upgraded between the sticks.

Defence

Joe Worrall, Scott McKenna and Steve Cook all started the play-off final victory against Huddersfield and remain at the club.

Worrall is expected to skipper the side, while McKenna won the club’s Player of the Season award last term and Cook has plenty of experience at this level from his time at Bournemouth.

Moussa Niakhate was a mainstay of the Mainz defence as they ended up eighth in the Bundesliga in 2021-22 and the 26-year-old will undoubtedly claim a starting spot, perhaps at the expense of Cook.

Cooper likes to play with wing-backs, but Djed Spence is no longer at the club and Jack Colback was a fill in on the left.

Harry Toffolo has moved from Huddersfield and looks the obvious choice on the left, while new signings Neco Williams, Omar Richards — who will miss the first two months with injury — and Giulian Biancone will battle it out on the right, with Williams in pole position to start at Newcastle.

Midfield

The middle of the park is perhaps an area Forest look weakest in.

Ryan Yates will continue to operate in the holding role, while Jack Colback can move back into midfield after operating at left wing-back.

New signing Lewis O’Brien, who like Toffolo has left the Terriers for the City Ground, will bring quality with his left boot.

Cafu only played a handful of games last term but remains at the club, and that lack of options is why Forest must find further reinforcements for their engine room.

Forwards

There are plenty of options both wide and through the middle for Cooper up the pitch.

Jesse Lingard will provide creativity behind the strikers and is a signing that Forest fans are very excited about.

Brennan Johnson can play through the middle or wide right and will cause plenty of full-backs headaches if his form in the Championship is anything to go by.

Alex Mighten will also be battling for a starting spot, best used off the wing.

Bundesliga purchase Taiwo Awoniyi looks set to be the first choice No9 after hitting 15 goals for Union Berlin in the German top flight last term.

Sam Surridge and Lyle Taylor will provide the back up — the former netted eight times after moving in January, including seven in 20 league appearances.

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