Our Starting X1 2019/20

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

With the defense more or less in place it's now time for the all-important CDM:

The holding midfielder in a 4-3-3 system is tasked with protecting the back four while the team is defending and covering for defenders that are bringing the ball forward (usually the full backs) when the team is attacking. This role requires a tactical intelligent player who's capable of reading the game and sniffing out where the biggest danger is. In addition to this I believe Sari wants his CDM to have excellent passing ability (and range) in order to dominate possession and be able to dictate the tempo of the match.

Currently Forest are unfortunately not blessed with many candidates for this role, but I very much hope that Alfa Semedo will adapt to life in England quickly and prove to be the player Benfica are hoping for. This player has serious potential and could prove to be one of the key ingredients in a promotion chasing Forest team. He pretty much has it all but his development seems to have stagnated a bit. If he can continue realize his potential at Forest, we could very well have a superstar on our hands. Yeah, I know I’m getting a bit carried away here but I’m really looking forward to seeing him play for Forest.

Next in line would be Guedioura but I don't believe he's defensively strong enough for the holding role in addition to having too many below par performances. There is also rumors that he's leaving the club before the start of the season.

With Bridcutt placed with the U23 squad, that leaves us pretty much with Yacob and Watson to compete with Semedo. Both Yacob and Watson has a lot of experience, but neither of them are able to cover the important playmaker part of the role so if one of them is placed in the holding midfield role I believe it will be a lot easier for the opposition to defend against us and it will be more difficult for us to dominate possession.

If I’m correct in my assumption that Sari wants a holding midfielder with playmaker skills then it’s clear to me that we need another player in this position to compete with Semedo. One excellent candidate would be Massimo Luongo. We have been linked with him already and QPR seems to have accepted that they will lose him in this window so let's cross our fingers and hope that he ends up a Forest player.

You forgot Yates...

Having had more time to think about this...

Ben Watson deserves to start at CDM.

He looks a completely different player under Lamouchi this season so far. Dare I say he even looks leaner and fitter.

Obviously Lamouchi's coaching skills (Lamouchi was himself a great midfielder) are rubbing off on Ben.

[Redgirl]

Sorry Sniffer I have to disagree, yes he played well last night but that is one game, he started well last season but the simple fact is he is too old to be in the centre of a midfield gunning for promotion IMO.

I would give him five games before the crowd were on his back and booing him. I think he looks to be an excellent mentor for the younger players but I would use him as a sub only.

[Camms]

I think Sniffer meant that he deserves to start the season, I am sure he doesn't expect him to play every match.

[GaribaldiRED]

Great to hear that Watson played well but he's still no playmaker or has he now managed to include another string to his bow.

I wasn't able to watch the game so maybe someone can tell me what formation we played in? I have seen conflicting reports (4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and even 4-1-4-1).

[ThePromisedLand]

Definitely 4:1:4:1 Gari with Watson holding.
Lolley & Adomah wide.
Semedo & Silva central.

[GaribaldiRED]

Thanks TPL!

[wassy04]

Praising watson after one game against a team a week behind in fitness, is the same thing as criticising the team for the Olympiacos game, it’s pre season!

Watson has had a mixed bag at Forest, he’s better when asked to do a more simple job as opposed to expecting too many forward passes. If used in the right way he can do a job, personally would prefer someone more capable of something more expansive but I can see why he’d be an option

[Dog and Bear]

Definitely 4:1:4:1 Gari with Watson holding.
Lolley & Adomah wide.
Semedo & Silva central.

Watson it is then, at least to start the season.

[GaribaldiRED]

I agree Wassy, great to hear that Watson has played well in the holding role but I would also prefer to have a holding midfielder with playmaking abilities. I'm hoping that Semedo can be our Fernandinho of the Championship  :D

[ThePromisedLand]

Yep. Last night’s performance proved that Watson can do a job - but not that he’s the answer.
With Geddy apparently off & Bridcutt & Yacob seemingly out of favour we need reinforcements.

[wassy04]

So as it stands what do we think lamouchi’s preferred team is when fit:

My guess
4141
Muric
Cash Milo Worrall Robinson
Semedo
adomah Silva carvalho lolley
Grabban

Seems pretty attacking I like it, maybe Watson will be in above semedo or carvalho.

[Username]

I agree Wassy, great to hear that Watson has played well in the holding role but I would also prefer to have a holding midfielder with playmaking abilities. I'm hoping that Semedo can be our Fernandinho of the Championship  :D

He played a lot of forward passes last night.