Substitutions and a change of formation turned the game in Nottingham Forest’s favour on Wednesday night.
Steve Cooper’s tweaks from the touchline worked wonders as the Reds came from behind to beat Barnsley 3-1 - claiming the Welshman’s first victory since taking charge.
But he now has a dilemma as Forest prepare for their final game before the international break.
Cooper had started with the 3-4-3 formation which had been so effective in the team’s previous two outings.
With Lewis Grabban struggling with a thigh problem, the head coach opted for something a bit different, bringing in Philip Zinckernagel to play the central role in the attacking three.
The Reds got into some decent positions but didn’t cause the opposition too many problems, and they trailed to a Cauley Woodrow penalty at the break.
That all changed in the second half.
Grabban had declared himself fit enough to be on the bench and play some part in the match. He was called upon on the hour, and made a significant difference.
Cooper swapped to a 4-2-3-1 system, Grabban helped set up the equaliser with his first touch and then capped off the evening by netting Forest’s third goal, and fellow substitutes Jack Colback and Alex Mighten also made an impact.
That leaves the head coach with a conundrum for tomorrow’s trip to face Birmingham City.
Which formation does he go with? Does he risk Grabban in the starting XI, having admitted he wasn’t 100 percent in midweek? If Grabban doesn’t get the green light, does he give Lyle Taylor a go, in order to have an out-and-out striker as a focal point?
And there is perhaps a decision to be made in midfield, too.
So far this season, James Garner has struggled to find the kind of form he showed in his first City Ground loan spell.
There’s no doubt about the Manchester United youngster’s ability; he has just found it tough to get going this term.
Colback hasn’t had the best of times either, since he rejoined the club in the summer of 2020. Injuries and competition for places have limited his game time.
However, he did well when he replaced Garner with 70 minutes gone against the Tykes. He helped the visitors establish a tighter control in the centre of the pitch, played some incisive passes and almost got in on the goalscoring act.
Garner will be a key player for the Reds again. But might he benefit from a break? If the manager is picking his team based on performances, did Colback put himself in the frame at Barnsley?
Mighten may also feel he did enough to be in contention for a starting spot, having caused problems when he entered the fray and weighed in with a delightful cross for an assist.
That Cooper has proved he can spot when things aren’t working, and is prepared to make changes during a game, shows Forest have the ability to adapt in their locker.
If he gets it wrong with the first-team selection, the former Swansea City chief can address that with his substitutions.
He won’t always make the right calls, but he certainly did on Wednesday night. That also means he now has some big decisions to make ahead of taking on the Blues.
Predicted Forest XI (4-2-3-1): Samba, Spence, Worrall, McKenna, Lowe, Colback, Yates, Mighten, Johnson, Zinckernagel, Grabban.
