Nottingham Forest can reflect on an incredible 12 months as 2022 comes to a close. But they also know there is much hard work ahead as they bid to retain their Premier League status.
The year ended with a 3-0 defeat at Manchester United. And the aim will be to start the new one in better fashion, when Chelsea visit the City Ground on Sunday.
It marks the start of an important month for the Reds, both on and off the pitch as they prepare to delve into the transfer market. Ahead of the weekend’s fixture, here’s our round-up of the latest goings-on Trentside.
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New start
The New Year’s Day clash with the Blues will see a change to Forest’s shirts. It will be the first game in which the logo of UK for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, will be on the front.
The Reds have been without a main shirt sponsor since the start of the season. But a deal with the international charity was announced earlier this month, with the club also making a cash donation to support international relief efforts.
The logo was already included on the sponsors’ banners behind head coach Steve Cooper for his pre-match press conference ahead of the game. “It’s a positive message. Having delved a little bit into what Forest have done with charities, particularly locally, there’s a lot of good work which has been done over a number of years,” he said.
“We will never forget what we do locally, but to do something on a global front as well is a real positive message. I believe it has gone down really well, which is good - not so much because it is good PR for the club, but it’s good PR for the charity and what we’re trying to promote.
“We’re really proud of what’s happening. It will be great to actually get it on the front of the shirt and show it globally. That will be a nice image.”
Freshening up
Off-field preparations for the weekend’s match extend beyond ensuring the shirts are sorted. The club have also been revamping the dressing rooms, with the aim of getting them ready for Sunday’s game.
It has been a race against time to get the refurbishment completed during the break, since the last home game on November 12. But the work is all part of trying to raise standards on and off the pitch; to have a Premier League mentality.
It comes as improvements have also been made to the facilities at the training ground. Owner Evangelos Marinakis has spent £2.5 million on that project, and the players were able to make use of new pitches when they returned from the World Cup hiatus.
Paying tribute
Forest joined much of the football world in paying tribute to Pele, following his death on Thursday night. The Brazil legend will be honoured by all Premier League clubs in the coming round of fixtures, including at the City Ground.
Players and match officials will wear black armbands, and a minute’s applause will take place prior to kick-off against Chelsea. Fans are being advised to take their seats in good time, in order to take part.
After Pele’s death was announced, the Reds said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of a true footballing icon who was an inspiration for so many across the globe. World football will forever be grateful for the incredible contribution you made to our beautiful game. Rest in peace, Pelé.”
Loan decisions
A decision will soon need to be made on where summer signing Brandon Aguilera will spend the second half of the season. The Costa Rican immediately linked up with Guanacasteca, in his homeland, after putting pen to paper for the Reds, but the deal was just for six months.
Although tipped for a bright future, it is unlikely he will be brought into Cooper’s squad this term as the emphasis for January is on bringing in players who can slot into the starting XI. The player’s agent has also ruled out staying in Costa Rica, instead prioritising a move to Europe.
Aguilera, who has taken a break after representing his country at the World Cup, has already been linked with joining Olympiacos. But a switch to Belgium or the Netherlands could also be a possibility.
“He needs an intermediate step that fits, and start to grow as a person and a footballer. Obviously Costa Rica doesn’t give you that,” the 19-year-old’s representative, Kurt Morsink, told La Teja. “The priority is that he plays in Europe. Let your career begin there quietly.”
Likewise, it would be a surprise if fellow loanee Alex Mighten returns to the City Ground next month. There is a break clause in his deal with Sheffield Wednesday, but it seems unlikely to be activated by Forest.
It has been a tough start to the campaign for Mighten, who has been in and out of the Owls’ XI and has taken on a number of different roles. He has been challenged by boss Darren Moore to pin down a starting spot.
"If you look at Alex's career, he's always come off the subs bench but I've said to him you've got to start games,” Moore said after Mighten played 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Fleetwood Town on Boxing Day. “He's in a part of his career now where he's starting games instead of being an impact player like he was at Forest. That's a beautiful thing for him, getting 90 minutes instead of being a substitute."
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