Nottingham Forest worked very hard during the summer to put plans in place to establish properly as a Premier League club.
The Reds added 11 new players with two of those – David Carmo and Marko Stamenic – joining Olympiacos on season-long loan deals.
Forest added quality in every area of the pitch – perhaps with the exception of a new striker but that wasn’t through a lack of trying.
Santiago Gimenez informed Forest of his decision days before the transfer deadline, whilst Eddie Nketiah was also looked at.
It was perhaps the defensive recruits that caught the eye the most, with a number of signings made to bolster the rearguard.
Nikola Milenkovic was praised by Henry Winter after a 1-1 draw with Chelsea, whilst Morato and Alex Moreno have also made positive impacts.
Seb Hutchinson hails Nottingham Forest trio
The Sky Sports commentator will be in place at the City Ground tomorrow night to cover the game.
He famously delivered the exaggerated Danilo piece of commentary during a 4-3 win over Southampton during the 2022/23 campaign.
Hutchinson is an admirer of Forest and he’s hailed the club for some of their recruitment this summer – and thinks three players are so important to Nuno Espirito Santo.
He told the Red Side of the Trent podcast: “Last season it felt like Murillo and somebody else. I don’t actually remember covering a Forest game and seeing the same partner with Murillo more than once – that’s what it felt like.
“It’s such a great starting point. If Sels plays and the two centre-halves – Murillo and Miilenkovic – play and that unit – those three – can stay together all season then Forest will be absolutely fine.
“I think they’ll be fine anyway. I said this season and I know there was a lot of worry about them going down but this season I do think they’re better than the three that came up and so there is your starting point.”
Forest rearguard is key to success for Forest
Milenkovic has really given Forest fans some hope that progress can be made on the pitch this season.
He feels very much like a missing piece of the jigsaw from last season and he’s slotted in seamlessly next to Murillo.
Forest had to strengthen up defensively and were completely calamitous last season when it came to defending and set pieces.
Milenkovic has sorted Forest out in that sense and he’s been a calming influence next to Murillo in the team.
The Reds look to have hit the jackpot with his arrival in the summer and it already feels like the club will make a significant profit should the time come to sell.
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