Nottingham Forest are set to face Ipswich Town today in a Premier League clash that offers them an opportunity to reignite their European aspirations. Ipswich, on the other hand, have struggled for consistency this season and have a poor defensive record on the road, conceding 14 goals in their last six away matches. Despite this vulnerability, they recently demonstrated their ability to challenge strong opposition by holding their own against Manchester United.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo expressed dissatisfaction with his team’s defensive performance after their recent loss to Arsenal, emphasizing the need for overall improvement. Meanwhile, Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna highlighted his concerns about Forest striker Chris Wood during his pre-match press conference.
Chris Wood has been a standout performer in the Premier League this season, scoring eight goals in 12 matches. His ability to lead the attack and bring teammates into play has been crucial for Nottingham Forest, earning praise from analysts, including Leon Osman, who recently described him as one of the best in the league. McKenna acknowledged Wood’s importance, noting his role as a focal point in Forest’s attacking system, which features dynamic wingers, technical midfielders, and attacking full-backs. He stressed the need for Ipswich to neutralize Wood’s impact both as a scorer and a playmaker.
Ipswich have their own attacking threat in Liam Delap, a powerful 21-year-old striker with six goals and one assist this season. Delap’s combination of pace and strength has posed significant challenges for defenders. Despite calls from some, including Nottingham Forest legend Garry Birtles, for Forest to sign Delap, such a move seems unlikely given Manchester City’s buy-back clause and the high transfer fee likely required.
Nottingham Forest also face decisions regarding their squad composition ahead of the January transfer window. One key issue is the future of Alex Moreno, a left-back on loan from Aston Villa. Moreno has been impressive this season, featuring in nine Premier League matches and contributing one assist. While Forest have an option to buy him permanently, the club appears content to delay the decision until the summer. If they pursue other loan signings in January, they may need to either finalize Moreno’s transfer or terminate James Ward-Prowse’s loan deal.
In the buildup to the Ipswich clash, Forest fans remain optimistic about their team’s prospects, particularly with the form of players like Wood and Moreno. Meanwhile, Ipswich will aim to leverage their strengths and exploit any weaknesses in Forest’s setup to secure a positive result.