This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Nottingham Forest will be facing a crucial January transfer window where they will need to back Steve Cooper to try and give him the tools to build on his start to life at the City Ground.

Cooper’s start to life as Nottingham Forest manager has been a positive one, but they suffered a 4-0 defeat at home against Fulham on Sunday and that will be a reminder that there is still some issues with the squad that need to be addressed.

The latest report from The Sunday Mirror (24/10/21, p64) has revealed that Nottingham Forest are now interested in making a potential move for Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster.

That comes with Brewster having worked with Brewster to good effect during his first season in charge of Swansea where he scored 11 goals in 22 league matches on loan in the second half of the 2019/20 campaign.

So with Forest now keen on Brewster, we asked some of our FLW writers whether they feel it would be the right signing for the Reds to make…

Charlie Gregory

Rhian Brewster has had a bit of a torrid time of it at Sheffield United and a change in scenery and style could massively benefit the youngster.

He hasn't made the impact that the Blades or their fans will have wanted since his move to the club, with the forward struggling to bag goals on a regular basis and therefore failing to feature too often. Brewster though has shown in the past that he can perform to a high standard - it's why there have been such high hopes for the attacker and why so many believe he has a lot of potential in the game.

Steve Cooper has already managed to get the best out of a Nottingham Forest side that we’re struggling at the wrong end of the Championship table and he could be the one to finally get the best out of Brewster again.

The striker needs to start proving he can cut it on a regular basis in the second tier and a change of environment - which could lead to more game time and therefore more goals - could finally get his career kickstarted again.

Forest could always use another attacking option and Brewster is a man on a mission right now - so given the chance he could thrive.

 

 

George Harbey

I think Brewster could be exactly what Forest need, and a fresh start would do him well.

It has obviously been a disappointing time at Sheffield United for him, and the negativity a relegation brings seems to have knocked him off his stride and knocked his confidence.

I think a loan move away could really kickstart him back into life, and Cooper is a manager who he clearly enjoys working with.

Cooper got the best out of him during his brief loan spell at Swansea and he managed to get him firing on all cylinders.

He’d only be a short-term rival for Lewis Grabban and Lyle Taylor, but he is a lot younger and could give them a real boost as they target a strong top-half finish in the second half of the season.

Billy Mulley

This is a potential move that I can fully get behind.

There is no doubting that Rhian Brewster is a talented young footballer, who has the ability to thrive in the Premier League one day.

However, he is not a confident individual at the moment, and is perhaps being held back by not always being trusted in his favoured striking role.

A move to The Reds could help revitalise his career after he burst onto the scene with impressive displays for Liverpool, and a brilliant spell under now Forest boss Steve Cooper at Swansea City.

Brewster has lots of attributes that make him a real threat already, and because of what he has already shown in his career, it is easy to forget that he is still just 21 years old.

Forest are a side with creative sparks and attacking talent in behind the striker, meaning that he will always be presented with opportunities.

He would also provide an exciting alternative to the experienced duo of Lyle Taylor and Lewis Grabban, both of which have entered decent form over the last few weeks.