Nottingham Forest – Transfer News & Npower Championship Preview

By Marc Owen-Banks on 31/07/2011 08:02

Nottingham Forest ended up missing out on promotion going down to eventually promoted Swansea City through the play offs in 2010/11. They will offer another challenge this season as long as Steve Maclaren can maintain the momentum built by Billy Davies.

 

Worryingly, there has been a clean out of sorts since last season finished, with eight players going out and just three coming in with just a week to go to the start of the season. Robert Earnshaw has moved on a free to fellow championship side Cardiff City, Nathan Tyson also moves to a fellow championship club in Derby County. Hull City have gained the signatures of two former Forest players in Paul McKenna and Dele Adebola and Kevin Wilson has moved north of the border to Celtic.

 

So, there must be a big influx of players coming into the club then? Well, not yet! Only three noted signings as yet. George Boateng is 36 years old, and its hard to see him being the future of the club, a strange signing but he comes in from Greek side Xanthi. Slightly younger 32 year old Jonathon Greening comes in after spending a couple of seasons in the Premier League with Fulham, and finally another midfielder Andy Reid comes in from Blackpool.

 

 

With some of the players going out the door, Forest fans must be hoping there is to be some late incoming activity if they are to realise at least play off status again this season. Davies leaving would have been the biggest disappointment, but Steve Maclaren could become a Forest hero in a single season if he gets this side promoted.

 

They are as short as 4/1 to get promoted at the end of the season, through either the first two spots or through the play off system. They are third favourite at around 14/1 behind West Ham and Leicester to win the division. Being as the front pair in the market do look short, it might be worth having a small investment on Forest in this market. A good start to the season may see this price crumble and a trade out position become available.

Recommendation: Bet Forest to win the division at 14/1. Either EW or for a trade later in the season