If I was charge of the Forest squad numbers

THE SEASON STARTS ON SATURDAY!!!!!!

Well, another week for you Premier League fans, but for those of us who are still waiting for a Premier League return (Hopefully not for much longer), the return is imminent.

Forest have had a pretty decent pre-season, and it’s been nice to see a use of traditional 1-11 in CORRECT POSITIONS for the friendly matches. Even players who had 1-11 numbers last year have switched; Adlene Guedioura wore 8 (last season 5), and Ben Osborn wore 3 while playing LB (last season 11 since he is normally a midfielder but plays everywhere).

Looking at the squad, while we’ve had a good transfer window, the Forest numbering needs a bit of a tidy now. For this, I’ve purposefully left the players (Henderson, Evtimov, Mancienne, Ariyibi, Ward, Clough, and Vellios) who’s profiles have disappeared from the website, out of this as they are clearly not in Aitor Karanka’s plans and have been told they are free to leave (although one or two are likely to only be loans).

1.       COSTEL PANTILIMON

The number he had on loan last year, makes perfect sense for him to keep it.

2.       SAM BYRAM (IF HE SIGNS)

Obviously he hasn’t signed yet, but hopefully this will be over the line in the next few days, and makes sense for him to take the traditional RB number.

3.       JACK ROBINSON

New LB, taking the traditional choice for a LB seems logical, means Figuerido will have to be shifted though.

4.       JOE WORRALL

A bright young talent at the club. Doubt he’ll have as much game time this season due to new arrivals but be good to see him take a single digit number, even if rumours are he’s waiting for #5 to become free.

5.       MICHAEL DAWSON

The return of Daws to the City Ground is something I’ve waited for a long time. It’s only right he takes his #5 back.

Michael Dawson taking his #5 shirt back would be ideal.

6.       TOBIAS FIGUERIDO

Number 3 last season, and while it’s not a terrible choice for a CB, sticks out a bit for a club who still sell a lot of replica shirts with Pearce/Psycho #3. Moving to #6 is better for a CB.

7.       ADLENE GUEDIOURA

While #5 isn’t a terrible choice for a CM, it didn’t seem right for a player who wore #22, then #7 in his first spell. A return to #7 would feel better for me even if he isn’t a traditional Right Winger.

8.       BEN WATSON

Probably the most likely change to happen, he’s worn #8 at previous clubs and is available after the sad retirement of previous captain Chris Cohen.

9.       DARRYL MURPHY

One of my more left field choices. I don’t think he’ll be first choice, but I’d keep Murphy at 9 for now, until other new strikers prove themselves.

10.   JOAO CARVALHO

The number he wore against Bournemouth on Saturday, it’s the right position for our record signing.

11.   BEN OSBORN

Another I ummed and aaahed about, Osborn’s versatility could prove a problem, especially as it seems he’ll be moving all over the place again. I’ve kept him as he is purely because #11 at LB is a guilty pleasure for me.

12.   LUKE STEELE

Not normally a number I give to keepers (prefer #13 for them normally), but it’s free and makes sense for a keeper bought as backup/competition.

13.   DANNY FOX

Has proved himself after a tough few seasons from fans, he has an affection for the number, no point changing now.

14.   MATTY CASH

A good switch from #41 last season, as a number I find acceptable in most positions, a versatile player like Cash is perfect for #14.

15.   JACK COLBACK

Was #18 when he signed on loan last season. He’s back for another year at least, but for me, #18 is more suited to somebody else.

16.   RYAN YATES

A player who Karanka seems to want to give a chance to, I fully endorse this, and to me #16 is perfect for a holding midfielder.

17.   BEN BRERETON

Another who I reckon will have reduced game time this season, no reason to change.

18.   GIL DIAS

Another of the Portuguese signings, for me #18 has to go to a Forest winger (sorry Colback), in the hope of him emulating Michail Antonio.

I'd personally move Jack Colback, so new signing Gil Dias can take the #18 worn by Michail Antonio

19.   LEWIS GRABBAN

Since I think Murphy will keep #9, This is the next best option for Grabban, and he can take #9 once he’s proven himself a Forest hero (hopefully).

20.   DIEGO GONCLAVES

Impressed on the wing in preseason, A good, but not perfect, attacking number for an attacking player.

21.   LIAM BRIDCUTT

I’m generally not a fan of moving players from a 1-11 shirt to a higher number, but I don’t see Bridcutt as first choice, and reckon he could be sold. Also, such a defensive player wearing #7 never sat right with me.

22.   HILLAL SOUDANI

A few fears are going around our new striker will take #2, like he wore at his old club. Obviously I don’t want that, so this is a good solution, and #22 has a fairly good record at Forest being worn by new signings (Bryan Roy, Henri Lansbury, and the previously mentioned Guedioura to name a few)

23.   JOE LOLLEY

An interesting choice of number last season, as I thought he’d take #18 for the reason mentioned above. Don’t see any reason to change since it’s another number that I feel can fit anywhere.

24.   ALEX IACOVITTI

A promising youngster who’s spent time out on loan. May well go out on loan again but I’d bring him down from #40 this season. Lack of depth at LB may seem him get a chance.

25.   VIRGIL GOMIS

A youngster who almost made his first team debut last season, but the youth teams success prevented this, I’d give him a squad number (also my personal favourite) this time and look to give him an early debut followed up by a possible January loan spell.

26.   TOBY EDSER

Similar to above, but has made appearances on the bench, time to bring him down from a 40something squad number.

27.   TENDARI DARIKWA

Same number as last year, since I can’t really find anywhere to moving him to. If Byram doesn’t end up coming, give him #2.

28.   THOMAS LAM

I’m surprised he’s part of Karanka’s plans personally, but fair play to him if he’s forced his way back into contention. Just keep him at his original number then.

29.   LIAM BOSSIN

Impressed last year as keeper for the U23’s, if Smith goes out on loan would make him third choice.

30.   ARVIN APPIAH

Another youngster making waves and interesting other clubs, might as well give him a number and maybe give him a first team chance.

31.   JORDAN GABRIEL

Had a few games during pre-season, likely to go out on loan but why not drop him down from #41 to #31.

32.   ANEL AHMEDHODZIC

Another one to bring down from a 40something number, has made his first team debut and highly rated by many at Forest.

33.   JORDAN SMITH

Seems to be third choice now, having suffered a loss of confidence. Wouldn’t be surprised if he was sent out on loan this year so won’t be too upset if he stays at #43.

Obviously this is all hypothetical, but it gives you an idea of my views. Reckon many of the youngster will want to keep original numbers for now, but we’ll see what happens.