Nottingham Forest strengthened their squad with 12 new faces during the summer and with the Reds currently second in the league, it is fair to say many have contributed already.
Many of the players recruited were unheard of but that hasn’t proved problematic for the Reds, with each of the new players settling in rather well.
One man who has perhaps not scaled the heights that were expected is goalkeeper Aro Muric. The uncompromising custodian arrived on-loan for the season from Premier League champions Manchester City.
The 20-year-old was expected to be Forest’s number one goalkeeper this season. Pep Guardiola rates him highly but playing football was thought to be more beneficial in the eyes of the Spaniard for the 2019/20 campaign.
Muric managed just four games in the league before he was dropped for Brice Samba; keeping just one clean sheet in a 3-0 victory over Birmingham City.
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Last night the Kosovo international had the perfect chance to build up some confidence as his country faced Montenegro in a Euro 2020 qualifier.
Goals from Amir Rrahmani and Vedat Muriqi kept Kosovo on course to qualify for next summer’s tournament.
The game also paid dividends for Muric who made three decent stops to ensure that Montenegro didn’t suffer an embarrassing home loss.
It must be hard for the youngster to find himself out of the team. He has ultimately swapped the squad at one of the best teams in Europe, for a place on the bench in the second tier.
He must be ready if called upon, however. Should Samba pick up an injury or suspension then Muric will be the man who receives the nod to deputise.
Raw
As a young, inexperienced goalkeeper the £10,000-a-week (The Sun) City man will make mistakes. He made two sizeable ones in the season opener against West Brom and he will hope to learn from such an experience.
Ironically the game before he was dropped against Charlton was arguably his most composed performance in a Forest shirt. He made three smart stops to ensure the Reds left The Valley with a share of the spoils.
Professional football is fickle, however, and Sabri Lamouchi’s decision to place his faith in Samba has been more than justified.
The challenge for Muric is to show his temporary manager that he is up for the fight of winning his place back.
Confidence within the Forest squad is currently sky high and Muric’s assured display between the posts last night will have done him the world of good.