Can Steve Cooper turn things around at Nottingham Forest?

Nottingham Forest have struggled to adapt to the Premier League this season and Steve Cooper is under immense pressure to turn things around.

Forest currently sit at the bottom of the Premier League table, having only picked up four points from their opening eight matches. 

We’ve looked into the stats from their season so far and analysed where things have gone wrong for Cooper’s side. 

Defensive structure 

Undoubtedly their biggest problem so far this season has been keeping things tight at the back. 

Under Cooper last season in the Championship, Forest’s backline was arguably their biggest strength, but they have struggled to adapt to the new level. 

Brice Samba kept 14 clean sheets in the Championship last season, the fifth most of any goalkeeper in the league that year. 

Since their promotion winning season, the personal in the backline has drastically changed and they haven’t had time to properly gel as of right now. 

After their defeat on Monday night to Leicester City, Dean Henderson now ranks as the third biggest underachiever when it comes to xG and the goals he has conceded. 

Henderson has underperformed xG by two goals this season and that’s despite him saving two penalties. 

Forest have conceded a total of 21 goals this season and have the second worst defensive record in the league, behind Leicester. 

Cooper’s side have faced an average of 17 shots per game which is the most in the Premier League. 

They have also averaged an xG against them of 1.96, which is the most of any Premier League side this season. 

For context, Norwich City averaged an xG against them of 2.02 last season and they were relegated, having conceded 84 goals. 

If Forest carry on conceding goals at a rate of 2.62 per game, they will end the season having conceded 99 goals. 

They need points on the board 

So far, Forest have averaged 0.5 points per game and are currently rooted to the bottom of the Premier League. 

If they were to carry on picking up points at that rate, they would finish the season with 19 points and would almost certainly be relegated. 

Cooper’s side started the season fairy brightly with four points from the first nine that were available with results against West Ham and Everton. 

Since that point they have become the whipping boys of the division and are currently on a five game losing streak. 

In their previous two home matches they did manage to score two goals in each of them, but once again their defensive line looked shaky and they lost both matches 3-2. 

Forest do have some winnable matches coming up and the month of October could prove to be pivotal in turning their season around. 

Up next for Forest are games against, Aston Villa, Wolves and Brighton.  

If Cooper manages to cling onto his job, you would imagine this run of games will be targeted for Forest to pick up some points. 

Who could replace Cooper? 

If Nottingham Forest were to make the call and part ways with Steve Cooper, who is currently available who could replace him? 

Sean Dyche is the obvious candidate who is currently out of work and his strengths lie in being able set up a solid defensive unit. 

Given how many chances they are currently conceding, perhaps a manager like Dyche could have the desired effect on this current group. 

Another manager who has been mentioned in contention for the job is Rafael Benitez.  

His time at Everton may have ended on a sour note, but the Spanish manager has a wealth of experience to offer. 

He showcased from his time at Newcastle United that he was able to work within the boundaries of a bottom-half side and he could be the man to spark Forest into life.