Nottingham Forest squad audit: Sean Dyche’s selection gaps and players still learning | OneFootball

After a four-game unbeaten run, defeat at Leeds exposed Forest’s selection gaps and the readiness of recent signings. According to NY Times, Sean Dyche has focused on Premier League basics while judging when newcomers are ready.

Consistency underpinned the sequence, 2-1 at West Ham, 0-0 with Arsenal, 2-0 at Brentford and 1-1 with Crystal Palace. Dyche used only 12 starters, the sole change saw Ibrahim Sangare return after West Ham for Omari Hutchinson.

At Elland Road, Neco Williams was suspended and Murillo had a calf issue. Starting Luca Netz after one training session was a gamble and the mix did not click.

Forest’s policy remains youth led. They spent £200 million on 13 summer signings, four have since departed, then added Netz, Lorenzo Lucca and Stefan Ortega in January as John Victor faces a season-ending knee injury and Matz Sels nurses a groin problem.

Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic have formed a strong pairing, but Forest are less assured when pieces are missing. In midfield, Sangare looks the influence recruitment envisaged, aiding Elliot Anderson’s rise as their standout, though they still feel one short.

Morgan Gibbs-White leads by industry, with six goals and two assists, while several wide options are still bedding in. Up front, Igor Jesus has 11 goals, Chris Wood’s knee injury threatens most of his season, Lucca showed promise at Leeds and Taiwo Awoniyi remains in the frame. With 13 league games left and Wolves visiting on Wednesday, Dyche must use those not yet fully Premier League ready.

Source: NY Times