Awoniyi to Baldé: Can Nottingham Forest 21 summer recruits secure top flight status

When Taiwo Awoniyi joined Nottingham Forest in June 2022 for an undisclosed fee from Union Berlin, there were no signs or statements to predict 20 other transfer deals will follow to set a new EPL transfer record .

Memories of their 23 years of struggle for a top flight return and the desire to stay up will headline possible reasons for Forest’s massive transfer dealings this summer .

Taiwo Awoniyi arrived the City Ground in June as the clubs only arrival in that month but there were lots of departures with loan signings returning to their parent clubs following a successful season.

In July, Steve Copper moved quickly to secure the loan signing of Manchester United goalkepeer Dean Henderson following the departure of last seasons first choice goalkepeer Brice Samba .

A flurry of transfer deals followed in July as Nottingham Forest moved to reinforce it’s ranks ahead of the Matchday One defeat to Newcastle at St James Park .

When former Manchester United Midfielder Jesse Lingard arrived at Nottingham Forest as the 11th signing of the window , the club had already filled it’s ranks with a possible starting XI of new signings .

Orel Mangala from Stuggart , Nigerian forward Emmanuel Dennis signed from Watford for £20million , Free agent , Midfielder Chiekhou Kouyate followed immediately as the 14th signing .

A poor start to the season has seen Nottingham Forest secure only one win in the EPL from five games, first signing of the season Taiwo Awoniyi bagging the winner vs West Ham, Forest’s first EPL goal since 1999 .

Steve Copper’s desire to build a squad with strength in depth to withstand the pressure of Top flight football ensured Nottingham Forest remained very active in the transfer market until the final minutes on September 1.

Deals for defender Willy Boly from Wolverhampton Wanderers , Josh Bowler from Blackpool and defender Loic Balde from Rennes on deadline day has set a unique British transfer record.

From Taiwo Awoniyi to Loic Balde , Steve Copper has received sufficient boost to his Arsenal in Nottingham Forest quest for top flight Survival and will be expected to turn the tide as soon as possible.

Bournemouth became the first club to sack it’s manager this season when it parted ways with Scott Parker earlier this week and are Forest’s first opponents following the close of the transfer window . A heavy defeat could be fatal for the manager .

Steve Copper could be sacrificed for the heavy investment in the Forest squad if performances don’t improve from the display in the 6-0 mauling at Champions Manchester City In mid-week.

Can Taiwo Awoniyi and the 20 other new Forest signings secure top flight Survival for Nottingham Forest ?