Orel Johnson Mangala

[Any Time Now]

Looks like they did check their junk mail after all

 

[DapperDan]

I’ve got a feeling we will change formation for certain games and all 3 lads will get a good amount of games, I wouldn’t drop Yates at the start of the season though.

Problem being Yates hasn't had a preseason, is he even back in training yet? His engine is his strength, we can't have a half fit Yates starting the first game.

 

[RedRobbo]

Problem being Yates hasn't had a preseason, is he even back in training yet? His engine is his strength, we can't have a half fit Yates starting the first game.

He’s a fit lad.
Wouldn't be surprised to see him get a few minutes tomorrow night.

 

[Strummer]

Who would you compare his style of play to? I’ll admit I don’t know as much about him as I did for our other targets!


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He is sort of similar in style to Joshua Kimmich at Bayern (when he plays in midfield) or Ilkay Gundogan at Man City, but perhaps a notch below their rather lofty heights.

He is still only 24, as well, so time for him to improve still further.

 

[Danga]

Playing the 3-4-1-2 formation that Cooper stuck too towards the back end of last year, your two central midfielders are asked to cover a hell of a lot of ground, something Garner in particular was very good at. Stating the obvious but it is going to be even harder to do now we are in the Prem. Mangala seems the right sort who can cover ground and defend as well as attack and carry the ball (much like LOB).

 

[Strummer]

I can't see three of them playing as you are looking at dropping Lingard or Johnson then. I imagine it will be two from three and probably rotated and subbed a lot to keep the energy high.

Nah; midfield trio, Lingard left, Johnson right, and a striker up front. Think like Frank Clark‘s 4-5-1.

 

[EmmersonForest4]

Getting goals is not his game, although he has chipped in with a few.

Stuttgart most often play a variant of 3-4-3, and he lines up as one of the central two midfielders, supporting the three more advanced players; he is there both to win the ball, and provide a springboard for attacks, as well as covering the centre of the park.

Thank you for the insight strummer and that confirms my thinking and that’s the question do we need goals there? Do we need Yates there or is O’Brien and Managua enough? Will Yates get goals anyway in the prem?

 

[Player-12]

Watching his YouTube highlights, he seems to love a nutmeg.

They seem to be half the video. Would’ve been nice to see some passing clips.


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[congo_red_49]

Will Yates get goals anyway in the prem?

I would imagine he'd have opportunities - 13.6% of all the goals in the Premier League last season came from corners, the second highest percentage the Premier League has seen in the last decade - so Premier league defenses can be breached via that route - and he was our most dangerous player from that particular route last season.

 

[MaxiRobriguez]

Nah; midfield trio, Lingard left, Johnson right, and a striker up front. Think like Frank Clark‘s 4-5-1.

I had wondered if Johnson might take a slightly deeper position than he finished last season.

Henderson
Worrall Niakhate McKenna
Williams Mangala O'Brien Toffolo
Johnson Lingard
Awoniyi
​

Rather than:

Henderson
Worrall Niakhate McKenna
Williams Mangala O'Brien Toffolo
Lingard
Johnson Awoniyi
​

Maybe slightly more compact defensively - harder to play through both Lingard AND Johnson if we're out of possession.

On the counter it would be Johnson getting down the flank more to supply Awoniyi/Lingard, rather than someone supplying him in more central areas to score.

 

[Haych]

Problem being Yates hasn't had a preseason, is he even back in training yet? His engine is his strength, we can't have a half fit Yates starting the first game.

I didn’t think of that to be fair.

Saying that, with how fast we get people back to fitness he’s probably ready to go already.

 

[tjhooker]

Get this lad in!

 

[Heffing Psycho!]

He is sort of similar in style to Joshua Kimmich at Bayern (when he plays in midfield) or Ilkay Gundogan at Man City, but perhaps a notch below their rather lofty heights.

He is still only 24, as well, so time for him to improve still further.

Seen a few Belgians say he's the heir to the Mousa Dembele throne from their pov. If he's even half the player Dembele was he'll be outstanding.

 

[EmmersonForest4]

I had wondered if Johnson might take a slightly deeper position than he finished last season.

Henderson
Worrall Niakhate McKenna
Williams Mangala O'Brien Toffolo
Johnson Lingard
Awoniyi
​

Rather than:

Henderson
Worrall Niakhate McKenna
Williams Mangala O'Brien Toffolo
Lingard
Johnson Awoniyi
​

Maybe slightly more compact defensively - harder to play through both Lingard AND Johnson if we're out of possession.

On the counter it would be Johnson getting down the flank more to supply Awoniyi/Lingard, rather than someone supplying him in more central areas to score.

Its such a shame Richards is injured if we added electric pace at LWB wed look a massive threat. Physically we are very good looking at that side, maybe swap McKenna out for Biacone for a little added extra pace but theres not much in it and I do love McKenna.

 

[Notcher]

Niakhate and this signing make me excited to be a Red. If we were to get Cornet as well, I think I’d be pretty chuffed if we were to end transfer dealings there.

Yeah same here mate. Cornet in makes it feel like we'd be complete

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[Redemption]

Agreement in Principle seems to be the new trend.

This is a great signing. I've no idea if he's any good and I am yet to watch a video, but you all seem excited and that excites me.

 

[Robert Learnshaw]

Love this, what a time to be a Forest fan

 

[Otis Redding]

Its such a shame Richards is injured if we added electric pace at LWB wed look a massive threat. Physically we are very good looking at that side, maybe swap McKenna out for Biacone for a little added extra pace but theres not much in it and I do love McKenna.

Sacrilege to even think this I know, but I suspect Joe’s place in the back-3 might possibly be more under threat from Biancone than McKenna’s.

 

[Master Yates]

Looks like a Cooper player from the clips.

This lad and Cornet and we’d almost be done I reckon. Maybe another RWB.

We’d still have the second domestic loan slot for something exciting late on to round off the squd too.


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[congo_red_49]

Sacrilege to even think this I know, but I suspect Joe’s place in the back-3 might possibly be more under threat from Biancone than McKenna’s.

I could see either of them being switched to the middle - with Niakhate, or Biancone being left or right respectively. I guess it depends on whether we want the pace at LCB/RCB, where it would be useful when they are pulled into Full-back positions, or step into midfield, with a lack of pace less likely to be exposed in the CCB (is that an accepted abbreviation or did I just create the idea of a 'centre-centre back'?) - or do we want the CCB to to be the pacey one and have them cover the RCB/LCB if they get caught out for pace. Either way, it could add some new wrinkles to Cooper-ball.

 

[Notcher]

Sacrilege to even think this I know, but I suspect Joe’s place in the back-3 might possibly be more under threat from Biancone than McKenna’s.

Biancone is the one that's impressed me most consistently of all the new recruits, he looks made for the English league. He's intelligent and uses the ball well too. It wouldn't surprise me if he's played CM before too

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[Morpeth]

Yeah same here mate. Cornet in makes it feel like we'd be complete

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Cornet would be the flake on top of the 99.

 

[Captain Sinister]

Orel Mangala... I met a young lady at Uni who could have adopted this as her forum alias... nuff said.

 

[Notcher]

Orel Mangala... I met a young lady at Uni who could have adopted this as her forum alias... nuff said.

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[Redemption]

Joe has a had a few poor pre-seasons. But I think once the season starts, there's no way he'll relinquish his starting berth without a fight.

I think the lads across the back 3 are pretty versatile. So while not optimal, having a right-footer in the left of the 3 is viable. So, while will be looking for a consistent 3, we'll have a good range of configurations.