Troy Deeney says £15m Nottingham Forest star has been one of the Premier League’s best players this season

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Despite defeat to Newcastle United, it’s still been a positive start to the season for Nottingham Forest.

A disjointed second-half display ensured that Forest had nothing to show for their efforts despite leading 1-0 at half-time.

Nuno Espirito Santo hailed Murillo for his maiden Forest goal but in truth, that was as good as it got.

Alexander Isak, Joelinton and Harvey Barnes scored to consign Forest to a second defeat of the campaign.

Still, 19 points from 11 games is really not to be sniffed at and there is still positivity around the City Ground.

Nicolas Dominguez told Jason Lee after the game that the dressing room wasn’t too down and things are still on the up.

Newcastle must be praised for what they did during the game as they stifled the Forest attacking threat.

• READ MORE: Nuno Espirito Santo raged after Joelinton scored vs Forest

Troy Deeney calls Nottingham Forest star Striker of the Year

There was no danger of needing to check the Team of the Week too long this week.

With Forest losing the game, there was no chance of Deeney picking a Reds star – and why would he?

There was a nod for Chris Wood, however, who was completely stifled by the Newcastle rearguard.

Dan Burn made the Team of the Week and he was praised for his efforts, with Deeney also indirectly praising the £15 million Wood.

He told BBC Sport: ” Forest’s Chris Wood has been the striker of the year so far and Burn put him to task. He did such a great job that Wood only had one touch in the Newcastle box.”

Forest must find alternative to Wood when the going gets tough

Wood is the number one striker at Forest and with eight goals from 11 games that won’t change.

However, there will be times when things just don’t work and his supply is cut off by opposing teams.

That’s what happened on Sunday and perhaps there is becoming a sense that Taiwo Awoniyi is just too similar to make a different impact on the pitch.

As a result, Forest have to make sure they land a different type of striker in the forthcoming transfer window and give the team that balance it needs.