Evangelos Marinakis’ best bit of summer business was clear in Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 win over Brentford, writes TOM COLLMOSSE

As Alexander Isak tries to force his way out of Newcastle, perhaps he should look at how Morgan Gibbs-White has handled himself this summer.

Last spring, the Nottingham Forest star seemed nailed on to join Manchester City, especially after Pep Guardiola made a beeline for him after the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley in April. Then when City decided the price was too high, Tottenham thought they had activated a £60million release clause in Gibbs-White’s contract.

No deal, said Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis. Not long later, Gibbs-White had signed a new contract to become the highest-paid player in the history of the club, after holding lengthy talks with Marinakis.

Gibbs-White would have been looking forward to Champions League football had Forest not blocked his move to Spurs. When they did so, the 25-year-old could have returned late for pre-season. He could have handed in a transfer request. He could even have effectively gone on strike, like Isak, who is desperate to leave Newcastle for Liverpool.

Although Gibbs-White was never as keen on joining Spurs as he would have been about moving to City, chances to play in the Champions League do not come along every day. The former Wolves player has conducted himself impeccably yet still, it would be natural if some disappointment lingered and affected his early-season performances.

Not a bit of it. Against an admittedly dreadful Brentford side, Gibbs-White delivered one of his best performances in a Forest shirt. No matter how many more players they may sign before September 1, Marinakis’ best bit of business this summer will be hanging on to Gibbs-White. Perched in the directors’ box in front of his giant TV, Marinakis could feel pretty happy with life.

If Gibbs-White was the star of the show, Elliot Anderson was not far behind. Though midfielders rather than attackers, the understanding between the pair was like that shared by Francesco Totti and Antonio Cassano at Roma in the early 2000s.

Each seemed to know instinctively where the other was moving and with Ibrahim Sangare minding the shop in front of the Forest back four, they were able to toy with Brentford’s two-man midfield, driving them to distraction. Last season, Forest’s success was founded on defence and counter, and towards the end of the campaign, teams had found a way to combat it.

Forest were far more progressive here. They had 55 per cent of the ball, with Gibbs-White taking 71 touches and Anderson 93. Far greater challenges lie ahead but with these two pulling the strings, Forest will have more to them than long passes from deep for their wingers to chase.

Gibbs-White’s cross for debutant Dan Ndoye – with his weaker foot – to score the second was a masterpiece. Hang it in the Louvre, as the Gen Z-ers on social media might say.

If that one belonged in Paris, then Anderson’s first-time ball that sent Wood clear for his second deserves pride of place in the Uffizi or the Guggenheim. Had it found the net, Gibbs-White’s overhead-kick that just cleared the bar early in the second half would have had curators across the world asking him to name his price.

Curiously for Forest fans, Gibbs-White has yet to convince Thomas Tuchel. Daily Mail Sport understands that the England boss and his staff would like to see him retain possession better, and – occasionally – show more positive body language when the ball is not running for him.

Watching from the stands, Forest’s new signings Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee must have wondered how they are going to find space in this team. 

Ndoye scored on his debut, Callum Hudson-Odoi was effective on the opposite flank and Sangare did his job very well. That is before we even come to Anderson or Gibbs-White. Fitting them all in will be tricky for boss Nuno Espirito Santo, even with extra games to look forward to in the Europa League.

Daily Mail Sport understands that while Nuno was keen for a bigger squad to handle a domestic and Europa League campaign, he shies away from having 22 players on equal footing, with two competing fiercely for each spot.

Rather, he likes players to know their roles from the off: some are first-choice, some are back-up. Last season, players like midfielder Ryan Yates and defender Morato understood their status and made vital contributions. 

The back-up players’ attitude can make or break team spirit. Jota Silva is a fringe player under Nuno and is likely to leave Forest this window, yet still he was high-fiving every team-mate as they left the pitch at half-time. Will Forest’s many expensive arrivals do the same when they are left out?

None will be able to complain when Gibbs-White or Anderson is chosen ahead of them, though. Both these players will surely play in the Champions League before their careers are out.

Perhaps more than anyone else, Marinakis believes they will do so with Forest.