Hello, everybody, and welcome back to the Garabaldi Red podcast, a Nottingham Forest podcast. As Forest have been busy again in the transfer window signing Alex Moreno on a season long loan from Aston Villa, an option to buy at the end of it. He's the 31 year old, the Spaniard. It would have fallen slightly behind new sign in Ian Mattson and Luca Danine in the pecking order at Villa Park. So that's why Forest have made their move on their man, and they've been very interested recently as well. Ross Wilson, in the statement when Forest announced him, said that he's been a player the club have targeted for a long, long time, and he was targeted before Nuno even arrived through the door. So Forest have finally got hold of him. It's a positive sign in. Mark, before we get a bit more insight on him, just what you make of him. And really, we talk about stats on this podcast Gaspard, you look at the stats and you look at what a lot of Villa fans have been saying about him, and this seems like another positive piece of recruitment from the club.

Yeah, it's interesting, Max. We talked about Eddie and Ketia at length and about how the Arsenal fans look warm on him. And accordingly, the Forest fans are not quite sure what to make of that potential signing, too. With Moreno, you have the complete opposite. I think you have Aston Villa fans overwhelmingly saying he's a class player. They're sad to see him leave. Obviously, it's on loan to begin with. I don't think it's an obligation to buy, right? I think it's just an opportunity to buy.

Yeah.

And I think if he shows up and rocks up in Garibaldi, Chancesa Hill, and back up at Villa Park at the end of the season and probably be a part of their plans then this next season. But he has 40 appearances in the Premier League. Again, he's become a fan favorite with Villa, I think because he's both a good defender and also offers something offensively as well, dare I say, Stuart Piers-esque, not from free kicks and penalties and the like, but he does bomb up and down that left-hand side of the field, provides a good number of assists, has scored a decent number of goals from that position over the years, including his last season with Real Betis, where he helped them, of course, secure the Spanish Cup, the Copa del Rey, an unlikely victory, which he was a big part of. So I think it's a great addition, and I think it gives us options So I don't know if he can play out the right as well, but we need additional depth, period, in the fullback positions. So I think picking him up on loan is very shrewd. Yeah, I'm excited by that.

Right. Let's go. I recorded a little bit of a chat the other day with our producer, Dan, who is an Aston Villa fan and runs a Villa podcast. Now, Dan knows plenty about Moreno, so we had a chat with him and it was nice for him to come on the podcast for once rather than producing it. Dan, thanks for joining us from the Clarendon Aston Villa podcast, somebody that's followed Alex Morena quite closely. First of all, I guess, what do you make of his departure? I know a lot of Villa fans are saying that the reason you've got rid of him is because obviously you've got Ian Mattson in now, which some Villa fans will argue probably is a better left-back for you. But I suppose what do you make of the season-long loan? And obviously, he still could be a Villa player in a year's time.

Yeah, it's an interesting one, the left-back situation that's developed at Villa over the last two years, I suppose. There was a sense and a feeling that Luca Dean would be the one that would end up leaving at one stage. Obviously, he's a high earner, joined from Everton for a relatively sizable fee under Steven Gerard in the summer, I think, of '21 or the January. Can't remember. When Una Emory first joined the club in 2022, his first signing was Alex Moreno in the January window, and we did a podcast towards the back end of that first season. Todd, something like, I wish I had it in front of me. It was something that was like, Alex Moreno is transformational for Aston Villa, or something like that, because he was so crucial to the way that we wanted to play going forward, and we'll come on to strength and weaknesses in a little bit. But he was Emory's first sign, and he was very impactful from the off. That allowed us to play in a different way. That opened the door to thinking, Well, we've got our left-back now. Like, Luka Dean is surpassed to requirements. Moreno is 30.

He's an Emory's man, if you like. So Look, he did in a different way. He'll be out the door. Alex Moreno then gets an injury, hamstrung injury, I think it was, and he's out for a little bit. During that summer then, the talk is that Luka Dean will be the one to go. I think there was some interest from Saudi Arabia clubs. And again, that felt like the natural conclusion. But the injury problems that Moreno had, I said problems, that probably overselles it a little bit, but the issue that he had, he didn't quite see him the same player afterwards, and Luka Dean found his way back in the team, and he had a great season. Last year, Luka Dean, he was very, very good. And he put the financial side of it to one side and think, well, yes, he's a high earner, but for PSR concerns, and FFP, and whatever else. But he's good. He's served a purpose for us, Luca Dean. He's been very, very good. So, Ian Mattson joins the club this summer for 37 million. So he is Villa's number one left-back now, obviously. You can't spend that money and he's not first choice.

So effectively, you've got two left-backs or three, if you include Moreno as a low knee still, there's two that are attacking and one that is a bit more defensive. Luka Dean is the one who's a bit more defensive. Moreno and Matzen are the attacking fullbacks on that left side. You can't have both. You can't have three left-backs playing for you on that amount of money and those transfer costs. So one of them had to go. Luka Dean is difficult to get rid of because he's a high owner, as I said. Here, Mattson has just joined. That just left Moreno free to go by default, really. I think Emory really likes him. We, as Villa fans, really liked him. But after that injury, he just wasn't quite the same player for us. I don't know whether it was a confidence thing or maybe a It's been a bigger long-term issue, but it's placed the team just fell by the wayside a little bit. I think Villa now have two profiles in a defensive-minded fullback in Dean and an attacking-minded fullback in Mattson, and that leaves Moreno free to go. I actually think Forest is a good fit for him.

A lot of people have been saying that. I saw obviously Moreno played for Real Betis. Obviously, Henry followed him quite closely to bring him in as his first signing. You mentioned there the injury, almost just before that injury, what were his standout moments, really? Can you pick any and almost talk us through how you saw the player? Because before we started recording this, you were saying that you thought he was a really good addition. And obviously, you mentioned there the podcast you did about him being transformational for Villa.

Yeah, it's quite big words, isn't it? Because then six months later, it's Luca Dean's back here. What happened? He was very important for us. It's a little bit of hard to get people to watch him other way. I produce this podcast, so it's very weird being on it now all of a sudden. Because I am the editor, basically, I'm going to put a graphic on screen to help me emphasize this point I'm going to make. Having Moreno allow us to play a certain way of football that our back for was Moreno on the left, Pau Torres, Diago Carlos centre-half, and then Esri Concer was playing right back, who is, most of you know, is Loews will know he's a centre-back, really. But that allowed us that if you got the shape of the team, the left-back will push on and basically play as a left winger. Moreno very, very far forward. If you've got a frontman attack of Bayly and Watkins, Moreno is right up there with them on the left-hand side. But that allowed Concer to push back in as a back three. Rather than a bit of Concer was a right back, he was going up and down himself.

Koncer pushes into the middle, Pau-Torries and Carlos move over a little bit, and Vino effectively playing a back three, and Moreno is playing as a winger. Luca Dean can't really do that. He We'd have to do it at some point last season because we still play the same way. But Dean, as we know, is not as good going forward as Moreno is, I don't think, which is why we saw him match. But that was what Moreno's role was, to get forward as much as possible, get to the bar line and cut the ball back across. You ask me, I could stand that moment. There isn't really one, but I can think of. I was like, that assist was great. He got a couple of assists in his first season. I don't think he got any assists last season. He scored a couple of goals. I think it was a header by the Brentfield or Sheffield United and a volley from close range against one of those sides as well. But that is what he wanted to get forward, get to the byline and cut a ball back across. He won't sit David Beckham-esque and whip a ball from deep.

He wants to get to the buy-line and cut it back across a low cross on the floor, and that is if you're going to play that way, and he hasn't got any serious injury problems or confidence issues, I think that's very fruitful for you. I don't know what your left side looks like. I'll ask you to tell me in a second. But if there's a space for somebody to bomb on, stay forward and stay high, I think that is where Moreno comes into his own. Defensively, yes, he's not an amazing left back. He's going to have his issues. He's not physically the strongest, he's not the tallest player, but he's quick. So if If he has to make a recovery run, he can get back. But he wants to play further forward. There's times where we spoke about whether Dean could play left-back, and Moreno plays in front of him at left wing when we had injury concerns. So we were down to the bare bones, can Moreno start as a left winger? He's paying it anyway. That's where he wants to be. I don't know how Forest's left side looks like and left-back options currently are.

But if you're going to be playing on the front foot and allowing somebody to bond forward, then Moreno is a perfect fit for that, I think.

Yeah. I think That's what Forest will most likely do. I mean, it's a bit of an odd one because I think in particular, the left side, obviously, Forrest have Olerena there at the minute and then Nico Williams is first choice right back. But other than that, in terms of the fullback options, we Haven't got a lot of depth. We've talked loads, obviously, on the Forest podcast before about having the squad depth in those positions. I think it's one that Forest needed to strengthen it. I think the likely scenario is Ola Eina moves to right back He's the first choice right-back. Nico Williams drops to the bench, and then you have Moreno as first choice left-back. I also think, obviously, Anthony Alanger on the left-hand side is a big thing with those two working together. Not that, obviously, they've worked together before, but I think in terms of you just mentioned about someone bombing forward, the attacking options, and having that pace on the left side, I think the link up play could be special.

What's Alanga more likely to do? Is he your wing that will cut inside or does he stay wide as well?

A bit of both, but I think more Alanga stays wide to be honest. I think that's more of his- You want players to combine, obviously, down that same side, but I would worry about them occupying the same space.

Willa played with the Jacob Ramsey or Morgan Rodgers off the left who are going to cut inside and play on their right foot, leaving space for Moreno to get past. So if a langer is hogging the touchline as well, that can still overlap and cause problems, but I just worry about them maybe getting in each other's way a little bit.

Yeah, interesting. And in terms of his age as well, Dan, do you think that's a concern? 31?

I don't know. He's obviously on the wrong side of 30, I suppose, you would say. I think it's just John said recently on one of our podcasts, it's not football manager or FIFA 24, whatever it's called these days, that once a player hits 30, it's like, Right, it's time to sell them. They're no good anymore. A lot of players play at a high level well into their mid-30s. I think he was 31 in June, so he was recently 31, I suppose. It's just that hamstrung injury. I've got some stats, I've got a screenshot in front of me. A hamstrung injury in 22, 23, missed 118 days. It just has a minor knock in 23, 24. I can't remember what that was. It missed 46 days at the back end of the season, so April to May, so he missed the end of the season, basically. He missed eight games in both those injury periods. If that's a recurring thing that he's going to have problems, then yeah, a player that relies on pace and bombing forward, if he doesn't quite trust his body, then age, I suppose, becomes a concern. But if he's fit and he's over all those things mentally as well, then I won't be too concerned at 31.

If he was 36 or 37, maybe I'd answer differently then. I'm nearly 29 myself, mate, so 31 is not all the guy.

You know what? I was about to say that when I started following Forest when I was younger and just started being a football fan, I always used to say to my dad, I always used to think 30 was really old because that's when players would retire. It just didn't go down well. That went like, you'd meet someone in the 30, and I think they're quite old. Would you say his main weaknesses are probably that injury side? I'm not saying that he's injury prone, but obviously you mentioned that he's had quite a lengthy time out on the sidelines.

Yeah, possibly. I think that's probably an obvious thing to throw his way just because it's unproven a little bit, whether he's over them because he missed the back end of last season. What's his summer been like? What's his preseason rehabilitation been like? Will he come in and play against Southampton? I don't know. I doubt it, to be honest, but I suppose you never know. With football, he might take a bit of time to get up to speed, possibly. In terms of what he offers on the pitch, I suppose, he didn't always cope well with Villa's high line. It turns out maybe concentration or getting back or keeping up in the right positions. But if Forest aren't playing high line, I won't be too concerned about that. I think I would question is if you are a team that is going to sit deep and sit back and camp on the edge of your own area and be very defensive, I'm not sure he's the player for that. He wants to be going the other way more often than not. So I think in games when Villa, when Forest are expected to have the ball push forward and create chances, Moreno will thrive in that.

If you're playing somebody like a Liverpool or an Arsenal, you know you're going to be under the Kosh a little bit. Those were sometimes the games where we'd see Dean come in as a more defensive option. So whether that's how you juggle your defensive line, then maybe that's a weakness.

We'll see. Do you think he could score against Villa? It's probably written in the headlines, isn't it, you think?

Salone, isn't it? So he won't be able to play against Villa.

Yeah, that's a good point.

I was going to ask you about the structure of the deal because obviously he was linked with Forest, wasn't he? Before he even joined Villa. So this isn't necessarily... I don't know why people don't like stuff like this, but maybe he isn't a new no man, if you like, because Forest were linked with him before Nuno anyway. So in terms of you finally getting somebody that you wanted for a long time is obviously a good thing for Forest and something that you should be happy with as fans, I suppose, that your hierarchy, your scouts, your chief, whoever, think this guy is worth having and worth pursuing, that you finally got your man. The loan with the option to buy is interesting from a villa perspective because it's wages off the books for us, but it doesn't really do much for us financially. What that option to buy is as well, we're not aware. I think we sign him for something like €10 or €12 million, so he's two years older than that, at least by the time the loan ends. I can't imagine that fixed fee being more than £10 million.

It's quite interesting because Ross Wilson, who's had a big part to play in Forest's recruitment so far, he's the Chief Footballing Officer. I think that's his exact title. And he speaks after every transfer. And in the statement announced in Moreno, Ross Wilson talks about how he's a player that Forest have followed closely for a few years. And I think it's quite interesting. I think he was probably one of Cooper's targets just before Cooper went. And then obviously, it didn't happen for whatever reason. But I think Nuno, being a Portuguese manager, I think he's probably seen him before, watched him lots before in Spain at times. So I think it's a positive move and I think that he'll hopefully slot in nicely.

Do you think there's ever any chance of you going to a back three underneath? Because he did that at Wolves a lot. It would suit someone like Moreno because he's already positioned further on the pitch anyway.

Yeah, possibly. I just think he's very... I think even though Forest at the minute, albeit he didn't play last week because he was suspended, which was annoying, he got carried over. But you've got Malencovic now, the Serbian central defender. You've got Marillo, you've You've got Nico Williams, you've got Ala Eina, you've got now Moreno. All these players almost, I think, would suit a back three. I actually just wonder whether it's almost a confidence thing from Nuno, whether he can trust, because Forest have still suffered defensively. We still suffered against Bournemouth conceding quite late on. There was moments in that game where defensively Forest was shaking. It was the story of last season. I think we spoke to you when we did the Villa preview last time. And that was Forest's biggest weakness as a side defensively and was defending set pieces and almost just being able to have confidence in the back line. So maybe Nuno is almost waiting and seeing in a way, and then he'll make that change to the back three. I would expect him to do that, though. And obviously, as you mentioned, he did it at Wolves. It paid off.

He got them into Europe with a back three. So I think he will eventually transform it over to Forest. It just depends how long it takes and obviously whether I'm sure Moreno Moreno will fit nicely into that. I think that does us nicely. We've covered quite a bit. Dan, appreciate the insight into him, and hopefully, he does score against Villa. Can't wait. It's a load.

Leave us alone. He cannot score against Villa.

You never know.

I'm hoping to have a decent season because He's effectively surfaced the requirements now. So I want Forrest to sign him permanently. I want you to see enough to activate whatever that fee is. So, yeah, he's hoping he has a good season for both of us.

So that was Dan there talking in quite some detail about Moreno and It's interesting of what he says as well about the injury knocking him back, that he thinks that he's going to be a good fit for Forest. So fingers crossed. Mark, just before we go, just wanted to quickly get your view on how you think Forest will set up defensively. I mentioned to Dan, actually, about how it might be the case that Ola Eina moves to right back and Moreno becomes first choice left back. Can you see that happening, or do you think that's slightly unfair on obviously Nico Williams as well?

No, I could see that happening. And also there's There's been speculation around Nico Williams's future, right? Clubs have shown interest in him, and I don't think it's beyond the realms possibility that he could leave the city ground before the transfer window closes. I hope not. As we talked about many times, we feel like he was one of the best players for us this last season. Had a bit of a rough start, in my opinion, against Bournemouth, but again, up against a really tricky and quick winger. So that was definitely a rude awakening to the new season for him. But I'd like to see us, as I mentioned before, the piece with Dan. I'd love to see us have depth in those fullback positions, have options. And I think Moreno will contribute to that. And I'd love to see those guys all competing for those various places. I also think as well, Max, having another player, Nico Williams on the one side, Moreno on the other, who we know can get up the field really well, which is something that Aina doesn't do quite as much, is really important in those situations where we do go to a back three.

And we're asking those fullbacks to really bomb on. So yeah, I think it gives Nuno lots of options. I'm excited about Moreno coming in, and as I mentioned, I'm not sure he'll start against Southampton, but we will see.

Good sign in my opinion. Right. That does nicely for our chat on all things Alex Moreno. Hope you did enjoy. Thanks to producer Dan for not only editing the podcast and keeping me and Mark at bay and making sure we don't do anything silly, but also for giving us his insight from a Villa point of view. So best of luck to Villa as well. Be interesting to see they do this season. And of course, we'll get Dan back on when Forest Face Villa in the next few months. Right, that does us nicely. Give us a like, share, and subscribe on YouTube. Follow us across Spotify and Apple Podcasts if you did enjoy. Also, leave us a review. Really helps the podcast, gets us out there on Apple and everything like that. Do that for us. It's greatly appreciated. We shall see you soon from me and Mark. Come on, you reds.