Nottingham Forest boss Chris Hughton admitted after Saturday’s defeat at Middlesbrough that the Reds need to be better on the offensive.
The Reds have scored just five goals all season, with creating chances and putting the ball into the net proving problematic.
Ultimately Forest need to start being better int eh final third and the challenge for Hughton is to find a formula that works.
A small positive since the ex-Brighton manager arrived has been the defensive unit starting to settle down.
Brice Samba looks back to his best in goal and that certainly bodes well.
Cyrus Christie was at fault for the goal on Saturday but is probably the club’s first choice right-back.
Gaetan Bong is currently deputising for Nicholas Ioannou at left-back, although the Cypriot should return after his suspension.
The two centre-backs have arguably been the highlight of Hughton’s short time at the City Ground.
Scott McKenna looks an astute piece of business and alongside him Tobias Figueiredo has been impressive.
The Portuguese player looks shot of confidence at the start of the season and rightly lost his place.
Whilst the back five have looked largely good, the challenge is choosing how to work the other six to maximise attacking intent.
Problem
A 4-2-3-1 system can work but not when Ryan Yates and Jack Colback play alongside each other.
The problem with the academy graduate and the former Newcastle man is that they both do the same job.
Both like to sit deeper and with that in mind, the attacking players are being drawn towards them in order to receive the ball.
That, quite simply, needs to change.
The likes of Anthony Knockaert, Joe Lolley and Sammy Ameobi are being dragged out of position to get on the ball, making it easy for opposition defenders to snuff out the threat.
Adopting a 4-1-4-1 could help the Reds have more men in front of the ball getting into dangerous areas when on the offensive.
Having Colback sitting could allow Forest to get Luke Freeman in the No.10 role alongside someone else, taking some of the strain off.
Particularly at home Forest have to start playing on the front foot and proving more dangerous on the attack.
Supporters would cut the players a lot of slack if they could see some intent in their play and persisting with a system that doesn’t really suit the squad seems nonsensical.
Hughton has some seriously good attacking players in his squad and there’s no reason for the striker to be constantly isolated.
Playing in a 4-1-4-1 should put Forest on the front foot and the extra man in the final third, should give whoever is playing in attack plenty of chances.
With the players who are fit and available for selection for tomorrow night, here is how a new-look system could theoretically look.
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