Nottingham Forest will clearly be one of the challengers for promotion this season. Speed of thought, crisp passing, pacy players, the only flaw on Saturday was the lack of turning quality possession into chances and goals.
The Midlanders had a nervy last few minutes after largely dominating the game. So, four games in, the Addicks have a win, two draws and a defeat to look back on as they have a week’s respite before the Palace game at The Valley. What lessons have we learnt?
Though giving the team a solid feel, stringing four central midfielders across the middle of the park negates any service from wide areas, where much of Forest’s threat came from.
The narrow diamond formation also leaves Solly and Wiggins exposed, often being left with two-on-one situations to deal with. There have been few chances for the full backs to get forward and provide the width lacking in midfield thus far. When Solly did manage to get forward on Saturday, he provided the cross that Fuller converted via the post and Lee Camp.
Danny Haynes is the only player with genuine pace in the first team squad but he is very injury prone. Players as quick as Haynes are notoriously prone to hamstring problems. Haynes – though naturally a striker – has been utilised as a winger throughout most of his career because of his pace.
Danny Green is a natural winger but it was Jordan Cook rather than Green who was brought in for absantee, Dale Stephens, on Saturday.
Stephens sublime passing skills were much missed at the City Ground and Powell will have to get him refocused after his Villa move fell through. The manager appeared to indicate that Stephens could move on during the January transfer window so it will be a tricky fe months for him.
The emergency transfer window will open prior to the Palace game and thought will have to be given to possible recruits. Emergency loans can be for a maximum of 93 days, so if the Addicks want to convert any such deals into season long loans or permanent deals, they would have to wait until the end of the month to ensure continuity.
Powell has other decisions to ponder during the mini break. Ricardo Fuller showed enough during his brief cameo to indicate he will be a real threat at this level. Bradley Wright-Phillips’ work rate has been exceptional this term though cult hero, Yann Kermorgant, has been less effective at the higher level. Kermorgant could make way for Fuller.
Another concern has been Johnnie Jackson’s lack of form. Kermorgant and Jackson played hugely influential roles in the promotion campaign but may now be under scrutiny.