Andy Reid all but confirms international player will leave Nottingham Forest
Today at 08:30 AM
It’s been a quiet transfer window in terms of confirmed business for Nottingham Forest thus far but one player may be soon to leave.
Evangelos made keeping players his January priority, which has been evident as Chris Wood was offered a new Forest contract.
Morgan Gibbs-White was offered a new Forest deal too, with the club aiming to reward the players who have guided Forest to third in the Premier League table.
There have been rumblings of a few potential departures, though, with some more manageable than others. West Ham are interested in Taiwo Awoniyi who Nuno Espirito Santo could likely cope with losing, whereas Liverpool’s interest in Elliot Anderson is certainly one that Forest won’t entertain.
One internationally-capped player is more than likely to depart the City Ground in January, however, with Forest coach Andy Reid all but confirming his future.
Andy Reid expects Andrew Omobamidele to leave in January
Speaking on the Off The Ball show, Andy Reid, who is a member of Espirito Santo’s Forest coaching staff, gave a telling update on the future of Irish defender, Andrew Omobamidele.
Reid said: “It’s been a tough enough period for him […], opportunities have been limited for him so I think he needs to go and play some football.
“I imagine he’ll find something that lets him get on the football pitch as opportunities are limited for him at the moment, unfortunately.
“He’ll go and have a really good career, it’s just been a tough enough period for him so he needs to go and play.”
Omobamidele has made only one appearance for Forest this season in the EFL Cup so you’d expect that the Forest manager is more than ready for his departure. Omobamidele was linked with Leeds United in December, too, showing there is interest in the defender.
However, the Irishman’s departure could leave Forest light at the back if Espirito Santo continues with one of his preferred tactical tweaks.
Andrew Omobamidele’s departure could leave Forest light
If Omobamidele were to depart, it would leave four senior centre back’s in the Forest squad which is a manageable number for a four-at-the-back system.
However, Espirito Santo has experimented with playing three central defenders at times this season which could be difficult with fewer numbers available at the back.
Espirito Santo received praise for his five-defender system in Forest’s win against Brentford over the Christmas period as the tactic was able to nullify one of the Premier League’s top-scoring teams.
If the Portuguese coach only had one alternative defender on the bench, though, the system would come with additional risks that may not be worth taking as we kick on into the decisive periods of the season.
