The deadline day signing of James Ward-Prowse could make the difference on and off the pitch for Nottingham Forest as they look to move up the Premier League table.
However, there is still the question of how the West Ham United loanee fits into the Reds’ squad. The midfielder brings plenty of experience and free-kicking ability to the City Ground, but will he go straight into the starting line-up?
Having Ward-Prowse as an option is a sign of the strength head coach Nuno Espirito Santo now has on the field. And that means the latest arrival may have to wait for his chance, as Max Hayes, Sarah Clapson and Bal Bansal discuss on NottinghamshireLive’s Garibaldi Red podcast this week. You’ll see what was said below.
SC: “Now it will be really interesting to see where James Ward-Prowse fits in. He is a really quality player.
“Speaking of signings – Forest really tried to solve those problems in the transfer window. Ward-Prowse can help on one side of the pitch and then Nikola Milenkovic in defense on the other side. The club knew the line-ups were a problem and they tried that solved by bringing in players who can make a big difference.
“It’s a real headache for Nunn trying to get all these players on board. I’m sure it’s a headache he wants, but finding the right combinations and the right placement will be interesting.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing Ward-Prowse. It’s not just that he’s a quality player, it’s that he’s got experience. He’s got a lot to offer.
“When I spoke to people at the club who saw him on the first day, they said you can tell he’s a good egg in the dressing room and he’s a really nice guy. He’s got some knowledge about him as well and I think that can the difference.”
MH: “It will be interesting to see where he ends up. James Ward-Prowse is a name in his own right and Forest now have so much depth in midfield. Apparently, Danilo will be out for a few months due to an injury.
“But it just makes you wonder where Ward-Prowse really fits into the scheme of things. It hardly fixes what isn’t broken, but he’s such a key player that you almost want to get him in that starting line-up, don’t you?
BB: “That’s a good headache, isn’t it? Having all these qualities. That’s a big question.
“I’m not sure how it fits and where it fits. He is good.
“I don’t know. I’ll let Nunu decide on that. But I’m looking forward to seeing him on the pitch and seeing what he brings.
“His experience will be so valuable on and off the pitch. It will be so encouraging. And again, just seeing him in action, I think it’s good for the club.
Forest are now not only strong in midfield. Nuno has been looking to bolster his wide attacking options this summer with Jota Silva and Ramon Sosa competing for Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga.
MH: “One thing Forest have got this season that they probably didn’t get last season is real quality from the bench. There has been a lot of recruiting this summer. Fair play to Forest from the pitch – credit where credit is due. Now we have that quality on the bench and that’s something we really didn’t have last season. You feel Forest can change the game and maybe actually score late on.
SC: “Strength in depth is definitely there. Nuno mentioned after Saturday that he sees Jota and Sosa as possible options to help up front. It’s something they’ve done in the past, especially Jota. I think it will take some work to be an option because obviously English football is very different, but they have that in their cupboard so it’s very important that they can call up players like that.
“I think Jota and Sosa have the potential to be really good additions. They look like they’ve got something in them and they’ve got some energy. Whenever they’ve played they’ve looked lively and want to impress. He’s also got a bit of aggression and he’s not afraid to put his stamp on things.
“It’s going to take some time for them to adapt and adjust, but I think they look like they’ve got something on them. They look like really positive signings.
“Being able to call them is a big plus. There is also some competition for Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, which they didn’t have last season.
“Given the line-up Nuno went with, they were almost guaranteed a place in the starting line-up last season as there was no real competition for them. Now they have players breathing down their necks, which means it’s up to them to step up .” and continue to perform well to keep their place in the team. They know there’s someone right behind them who can make the same impact.”