Nottingham Forest suffered a first pre-season defeat as Sporting CP claimed a 4-1 win in Portugal — but there was still plenty for Oliver Glasner to learn in the Algarve.Rui Borges’ side kick off their Primeira League season next weekend and their advanced fitness levels were sharply apparent as they powered to victory with three goals in the final half hour.There will have been areas of concern for the new Forest head coach. But he will also know that his side still have three friendly games — and three weeks — left in which to complete their preparations, before they face Leeds United at the City Ground on the opening day.And there were plenty of positives to consider too. Forest’s intention was to get 90 minutes into as many players as possible, with other senior players involved in a 2-1 win over Portimonense on Friday morning.That game was played on the training pitches next to the Estadio Algarve, where another 11 players got a full game under their belts a few hours later.So what did we learn from a game that started well for Forest before Sporting took charge?Who will play in the No 10 role?Brazilian forward Igor Jesus’ quality was evident last season, scoring 16 goals in all competitions during his debut campaign. But the former Botafogo player was often asked to lead the line for Forest while Chris Wood was sidelined with injury.The Brazilian has always looked more comfortable playing as a No 10, just behind the lone striker. And that was evident again during pre-season, with Jesus having scored four goals in Forest’s first four friendly fixtures.Igor Jesus was on the scoresheet again in Portugal (Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)His latest strike summed up what he is all about, as a perfectly weighted pass from Morgan Gibbs-White sent Wood angling in on goal. Wood’s shot was well saved, but the ball spun into the path of Jesus, who showed good timing and determination in equal measure to ensure he was first to it to put Forest in front after only one minute and 38 seconds.Glasner’s 3-4-2-1 formation utilises two No 10s. Gibbs-White — often Forest’s most important player last season — will surely pin down one of those. While James McAtee and record signing Omari Hutchinson — who won a penalty in the game against Portimonense — will both also have one eye on the other.But, on the evidence of pre-season so far, it is Jesus who is ahead in the fight for that position.Could McAtee play a different role?Like his four immediate predecessors, Glasner has sung the praises of the former Manchester City player, who continues to impress on the training ground.Talk to other players or to the coaching staff, and they will tell you that McAtee is capable of moments of individual brilliance.His inclusion as a deeper-lying central midfielder against Sporting perhaps owed something to the fact that Xaver Schlager and Ibrahim Sangare had both played against Portimonense, as Glasner looked to get plenty of minutes into all of his players.But this was not the first time McAtee had been handed a deeper role this pre-season — he also played some minutes there against Notts County — and he looked comfortable.James McAtee tussles with Eduardo Quaresma (Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)McAtee has worked hard to add muscle to his physique. He is still no match for the broad frames of Murillo or Nikola Milenkovic, but the 23-year-old does seem to have bulked up. The familiar deft touch remains, but he also drove forward with the ball.Glasner — like the managers before him — must find the best position for a player who is yet to show his best since his £30million move from Manchester last summer.Forest believe they have a real talent in McAtee, who has made only two Premier League starts and 12 sub appearances for the club so far. Perhaps Glasner is the man to bring that out.Could the wing-backs swap sides?Neco Williams secured Forest’s player-of-the-season award with his performances on the left side of defence, while Ola Aina has long been a reliable figure at right back.But against Sporting, Glasner asked them to switch roles.Both men are comfortable playing on either side, so it was hardly a drastic measure. But it was interesting how many quality balls Williams was able to deliver with pace and bend. Both Jesus and Wood benefited from outstanding deliveries from the Wales international without being able to get their headers on target.Williams looked more at ease playing on the right than Aina did on the left, where he gave away a foul in a dangerous position after making one challenge with his wrong foot.And they reverted to their more familiar roles early in the second period.But it was interesting that Glasner seems keen to at least ponder the possibility.Are Forest too small?Glasner has concerns about the height of his Forest side. He is keen for any further new additions to add physical presence, to help strengthen their ability at set pieces, at both ends of the pitch.Forest continue to negotiate with Sporting to finalise a deal for defender Ousmane Diomande — who was not included in their squad last night. And the Ivory Coast international — who is expected to cost in the region of £35million — is a player who would add the attributes that Glasner craves.The 22-year-old, who stands at 6ft 3in, has pace and is comfortable on the ball, but is also has a strong aerial presence.This was also a defence that was missing Murillo, who is back in training after injury, but is still working to build his fitness.But Sporting’s first goal saw Goncalo Inacio rise above Wood to head them level from a corner in the 14th minute — and the Portuguese side regularly looked a threat from corners — to further underline Glasner’s worries.