Lewis McGugan has suggested that the Nottingham Forest recruitment model is one aspect of the club that needs looking at. The Reds are just five points ahead of the relegation zone after another defeat on Friday night.
Forest were beaten 2-0 at the City Ground to make it one win in 13 matches for the Reds. Steve Cooper will continue to see his position come under threat with the team in this sort of form.
However, it’s not believed that any change in the dugout is imminent. Cooper looks set to take charge of the club on Saturday when Bournemouth are the hosts on Trentside.
McGugan takes aim at Forest recruitment policy
It’s hard not to agree with some of the stuff that McGugan has been saying. The man who served Forest with distinction as a player is often on the money with most of his opinions about the club.
Now, he’s taken aim at Forest for how they’ve recruited players since winning promotion. It’s fair to say that it’s made life more difficult for Cooper having to keep several big-name players satisfied.
McGugan told the Forest Focus Podcast: “You live and die by your recruitment. I think the recruitment has been crazy, sporadic and there’s been no thought behind it. I think there are players in there that Steve Cooper wanted but there are players that the owner has pushed for.
“That’s football, you have to deal with that. What’s not helped the manager is that nobody who has been brought in has hit the ground running. When you look at it and strip it back can you name a player, or a signing, that’s hit the ground running? I don’t think you can.”
Forest have to be more joined up in January
Clearly, some of the club’s new recruits haven’t been of Cooper’s authorisation. Nuno Tavares for example has played for just 94 minutes and it’s reported he now wants to leave Forest.
Gonzalo Montiel is another player who hasn’t had a Forest chance. A year ago today he was playing in the World Cup Final and helping Argentina win the trophy, yet he’s not had a look in.
The recruitment process has to change at Forest in the near future and McGugan has a point. Starting with the January transfer window, everyone needs to be on the same page and hopefully, one or two players can come into the club.
McGugan is right to critique the club’s recruitment behind the scenes. Forest are still learning to think like a progressive Premier League club and January needs to be far better than the summer was.
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