It had all started so well. Nottingham Forest had scored a superb goal to take the lead at Coventry City, offering hope of a winning start to the new season.
But two goals in the last 10 minutes - including one deep into added time - saw the hosts turn the Championship clash on its head, leaving Chris Hughton’s side to return empty-handed from the Coventry Building Society Arena.
It was not the way they, or a large contingent of travelling fans, had wanted to open the 2021/22 campaign.
Reds reporter Sarah Clapson takes a look at some of the big talking points from Sunday’s 2-1 defeat.
Promise of youth
It all went downhill after the break. But to start with a positive, there was lots to like about the opening goal.
Brennan Johnson (quite rightly) deserves the plaudits for a fabulous, lung-busting run that showed a devastating turn of pace. But the move started with another young player also lacking experience at Championship level, Loic Mbe Soh.
The defender was calm and composed as he thwarted a Coventry attack before bringing the ball out and showing the awareness to find Johnson.
The Nigel Doughty Academy graduate then powered down the right flank and squared the ball for Lyle Taylor to slot home.
It showcased the youthful talent Forest have in their ranks. They need more of that kind of spark.
Supporters had been excited to see what Johnson had to offer after he excelled on loan at Lincoln City last term - and he did not disappoint. It’s no surprise he has caught the eye of other teams, but the Reds should be doing what they can to hang on to him.
Mbe Soh, too, had done well, only to be forced off through a groin injury just before half-time, while Alex Mighten and Jordan Gabriel also held their own.
The latter did not look out of place in the second tier, and Mighten proved a handful for the hosts.
There is plenty of promise there.
Big names missing
Hughton was without Lewis Grabban (self-isolating) and Joe Worrall (calf injury) for the first game.
Without trying to make any excuses, he explained in his post-match press conference the challenges a difficult build-up had posed. There were mitigating factors to the final result.
Forest had to cancel their last two pre-season friendlies due to a “small number” of positive coronavirus cases in the camp, and had been working in smaller groups in advance of their trip to Coventry. Training and the planned build-up of match sharpness had been disrupted.
To then be without two key players only added to the sense that preparations had been far from ideal. That was compounded by losing Mbe Soh in the first half, with Tobias Figueiredo - himself only just recovered from injury and lacking game time - drafted into action.
Fitness proved to be a general issue.
The visitors tired towards the end, just as their opponents were turning the screw. In those moments, when the physicality isn’t there, Hughton said good decisions are required - something which didn’t happen.
His players will need to get up to speed quickly, though; the Championship takes no prisoners on that front.
Signings needed
It’s not stating anything new to say the club still need to do plenty of work in the transfer market before the window closes. Sunday only highlighted that fact.
There was little strength in depth, particularly up front, with Grabban ruled out and at full-back. Central midfield also requires reinforcement.
New signing Philip Zinckernagel made his debut from off the bench and did look lively. He at least showed he can take a decent set-piece - something the Reds continue to struggle with.
On the whole, though, Hughton lacked options.
The defence picked itself in the absence of any competition for places. Gabriel did not look out of place at right-back, but it still remains to be seen whether Forest let him go this summer.
And a left-back remains high on the shopping list. Gaetan Bong has been brought back into the fold in the meantime, having previously been told he could move on. Too often, he was left exposed against Coventry but was also guilty of some sloppy play.
The next few weeks are crucial. After just one game, it’s too early to call how the Reds will fare this term. But the shape of their squad come the end of the window will offer a better platform for judgement.
Midfield dynamic
On this occasion, the balance between Ryan Yates and Jack Colback in the centre of the pitch wasn’t quite there.
Both had been decent in the first half, but the visitors could have done with one or the other pushing on more.
The duo had worked well when they played together in pre-season. Against Port Vale, for instance, Colback pressed forward more - being in the right place at the right time to find the back of the net.
This time, though, they looked too similar. Without one of the central midfielders having a bit of dynamism, more was required of the attackers.
Forest didn’t help themselves by sitting back and inviting pressure from their hosts in the second half, but they needed to have killed the game off before then.
Getting the balance right in the approach to games remains an area for Hughton to work on.
