Pre-season serves many purposes. It is about building up minutes and problem solving in preparation for another rigorous campaign.
But it is also about taking opportunities. And on that front, Nottingham Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo may just have a fair bit to chew over
Two friendlies in, and it is possible to see some of the Portuguese’s plans for the 2024/25 Premier League term taking shape. But he might also have been given some food for thought.
The Reds headed to Spain earlier this week for a training camp. Nuno views the trip as important team-bonding time as much as a chance to lay down plenty of ground work.
The Reds already had the core of a strong group in place from last season and have built on those foundations with some very promising signings. They still have work to do in the transfer market, but if there are some squad spaces still up for grabs, Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Sunderlandsaw some players try to grasp their opportunity.
Richards option?
By his own admission, Omar Richards has “been through a lot” in the last couple of years. In fact, that is putting it mildly. The defender has had a hellish two years.
Much was expected of him when he put pen to paper at the City Ground in the summer of 2022.