Nottingham Forest are in the market for a new goalkeeper as they plot to replace first team ever present Costel Pantilimon in the January window, according to reliable journalist Alan Nixon.
The Sun reporter claims on his personal Twitter account that manager Aitor Karanka is indeed looking to take the place of the 31-year-old, who has played every minute of all the club’s Championship games this season.
The giant shot stopper has conceded 22 goals this season, keeping nine clean sheets but left the supporters disappointed on Saturday after he failed to keep out Lewis Moult’s effort in Forest’s 1-0 defeat to Preston North End.
Opinion
Considering how well that Forest have been going this season, it seems strange that Aitor Karanka is willing to shake things up as drastically as a new goalkeeper in January. A new man between the sticks is a risk at any time but doing it halfway through the season is a real gamble. There is no relationship with the defenders and that can lead to miscommunication, a lack of confidence and a lack of understanding between the players. Yes, Pantilimon has not been at his best at times during the current campaign but nine clean sheets is close to keeping the opposition out every other game and that is not a bad record at all. If Karanka can find the right shot stopper to take his place, then it might be a good decision, but it is not one without risks. This could be a decisive factor in their hunt for promotion come the end of the season.