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Nottingham Post
Nottingham Post
Sport
Matt Davies

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder issues appeal to Steve Cooper over major Reds problem

Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Lewis McGugan says changes are needed in his old club's midfield.

Speaking on the latest Garibaldi Red podcast, McGugan questioned whether the trio of Remo Freuler, Jonjo Shelvey and Jack Colback can be effective as he welcomed the return of Ryan Yates to the squad in the 2-2 draw against Everton.

"Especially first half that's where they really struggled," he said. "Everton dominated and Forest couldn't get hold of the game. You've got a strong runner in Doucoure with Iwobi and McNeill had a free role from the left.

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"Forest struggled and that can happen when you have three players who haven't played together much. Colback won't let anyone down. You know what you will get from him.

"Jonjo will play that forward pass and try to unlock defences. At times for me, it just looked so spread out as a three. There were times when Jonjo was in front of Aurier and it left Freuler almost on his own. Everton dominated that first half.

"It needs tweaking. It's not quite right. Yates is a big part of fixing that because of his energy. When you have someone with that energy - I think of playing with Chris Cohen - that energy around you lets a player like Shelvey do what he's good at.

"I don't think the balance is right. Colback will give you an honest performance and a tidy one. Shelvey can really implement his role in the side but he needs the right people around him."

Midfielders were at fault for both Everton goals with a combination of Freuler and Colback failing to clear in their own penalty area before Shelvey conceded a penalty with a clumsy tackle on Dwight McNeill.

The second goal saw central defenders Felipe and Joe Worrall lose aerial challenges before Freuler let Abdoulaye Doucouré run beyond him to head in.

"They had chances where they could have cleared it from the first header and a scramble, then it broke (for the penalty). They got caught out. If that penalty is given against you, you think it's soft. McNeill was looking for it, but if you dangle a leg that can happen."

On the second goal, he said: "Centre halves won't win every header. The biggest thing is that ball after. Players, myself included, you can switch off and then you can't get back. Small details are important the higher you go up the leagues.

"You want centre-halves to win headers but it happens. There will be times when they lose them but you don't notice if you win the second ball. You're in trouble if you switch off, as happened here."

Who should be the starting midfielders? Have your say in the comments section below

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