Nottingham Forest have been struggling for goals of late with Martin O’Neill’s side having been shut out in four of their last five games in all competitions. Lewis Grabban has been dropped from the starting eleven and hasn’t scored in his last nine appearances, Joe Lolley has scored just one goal in 11, Daryl Murphy has managed only one goal since August while Matty Cash only has one goal to his name since December 2018.
The Reds find themselves six places and five points adrift of the playoff places after suffering a woeful run of form in recent months. Forest have managed just two league wins in their last 10 games, losing on six occasions. Their hopes of a top-six finish have taken a big hit and O’Neill needs to find the solution to their scoring woes by injecting some creativity into the side. He’s favoured a three-man midfield but may benefit by taking out Ben Watson for a more attacking player.
Joao Carvalho was introduced from the bench against Birmingham City, making his first appearance for the Reds in nearly a month and could be in line to start Forest’s next outing. O’Neill’s men host Brentford at the City Ground on Saturday and could benefit from the 21-year-old’s ingenuity in possession. Carvalho’s contributed nine league goals for the season, creating 33 chances and making 36 successful dribbles. Could he be the difference?
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Forest could sign 29-year-old over the summer, manager treatment to blame
