Nottingham Forest face Brighton tonight looking for a big win to kick-start their Premier League campaign.
The dream is quickly turning into a nightmare and Forest must stop the rot very soon.
Steve Cooper’s team are rock bottom of the Premier League and haven’t tasted victory for eight league games.
Ahead of tonight’s game, we looked at the starting eleven that Cooper should deploy at the AMEX Stadium.
How Cooper should line Nottingham Forest up against Brighton:
The Forest rearguard
Dean Henderson will almost certainly continue in goal for the Reds tonight.
At the back, Cooper would be wise to revert to his three-man central defensive unit.
Willy Boly needs game time so he should slot in alongside Scott McKenna and Joe Worrall, with the captain also desperate for minutes.
A return to three at the back could allow Forest’s wing-backs to get forward more.
Harry Toffolo and Neco Williams both like that side of the game and perhaps they can cause the Seagulls some problems.
In the engine room
Tonight could be the perfect opportunity for Cooper to unleash the midfield that everyone wants to see.
Remo Freuler, Lewis O’Brien and Orel Mangala are yet to play alongside each other and this could be the time.
All three bring different qualities to the table and it’s a midfield that could really get the Reds firing.
Leading the Forest line
Emmanuel Dennis has played in the attack for the last two games and he deserves another chance to start here.
Taiwo Awoniyi and Sam Surridge are pushing hard but Dennis should get another chance to play.
Behind him, Morgan Gibbs White should play as the number 10.
Brennan Johnson is in desperate need of a rest and after a poor run of form, perhaps taking him out of the firing line would help.
Jesse Lingard will also be pushing hard for a recall to the starting eleven.
Here is how Cooper should line Forest up this evening:
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
