Tuesday 26 August 2014 21:43, UK
Chris Cohen expects added competition for places to serve Nottingham Forest well after a busy summer at the City Ground.
New boss Stuart Pearce has used his first transfer window wisely to restructure the playing staff on Trentside.
Several fresh faces have been welcomed into the ranks, with money spent in the pursuit of promotion back to the Premier League.
The depth of Forest’s squad now means that no player is assured of a regular starting berth, but club captain Cohen believes that is how it should be as everyone is kept on their toes.
He jokingly said in the Nottingham Post: "When everyone is fit I don't know if I will get a game. Previously I would always be very confident that I would.
The manager seems to see the problems that everyone spoke about for a long time – and has brought players in to fix those problems.
"That shows the balance and depth that we have now, quite seriously.
"We have always had good players. But the squad has got better and better.
"There is no room for anyone to rest on their laurels."
Forest have prioritised the strengthening of their offensive unit, with forward-thinking talent such as Britt Assombalonga, Matty Fryatt, Chris Burke and Michail Antonio added to the fold.
Cohen added: "I can't remember us having this amount of dynamic, attacking players as we have now.
"The manager seems to see the problems that everyone spoke about for a long time – and has brought players in to fix those problems.
"There were always issues about left backs – but we have three now.
"There was always the suggestion that we lacked pace.
"I can't remember too many players who you would expect to pick up the ball and take players on.
"But you look now and we have Britt, Matty Fryatt, Michail Antonio, Chris Burke, Pato – there are five or six players who can run with the ball and go past people.
"We can play deeper and hit teams on the counter attack, which has not been an option for us before.
"I am very excited. It will take time and having the right players won't automatically bring success. We have to work hard for it still."
