The latest Nottingham Forest news on Tuesday, 18 April, 2023.
Neville shares Forest worry
Gary Neville had issued a “worried” verdict on Nottingham Forest’s battle against relegation.
Steve Cooper ’s side fell to their third defeat in a row as the Reds suffered a 2-0 defeat to Manchester United. Goals from Antony and Diogo Dalot meant that Forest extended their winless run to a dismal 10 games and they remain in the bottom three on goal difference, following Everton’s loss to Fulham.
Having watched the game for Sky Sports, Neville fears that Forest’s return to the top-flight could be a short one. The former Man United defender criticised the Reds’ tactical setup, which saw Keylor Navas have to produce several impressive saves, and has questioned Forest’s quality since the two sides met in the Carabao Cup semi-final, back in January.
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Forest ‘tracking’ forward
Nottingham Forest are reported to be tracking a remarkable move for striker Sydney van Hooijdonk.
The Heerenveen forward, on loan from Bologna, has bagged 16 goals in 32 games this season. Van Hooijdonk, the son of former Forest man Pierre, has enjoyed his return to the Eredivisie after a short stint in Italy, producing 23 goals in 47 games for the Dutch club since his initial spell in January 2022.
The 23-year-old looks to have inherited his father’s goalscoring instincts, with Van Hooijdonk Sr. scoring 36 times in 71 games during his time with Forest, helping return the club to the top-flight in 1999. Despite not being born when his Dad was scoring goals at the City Ground , Sydney demonstrated his family’s feelings towards the club, being in attendance when Steve Cooper ’s side achieved promotion at Wembley last season.
Referee verdict on Maguire handball
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher believes Nottingham Forest were rightly denied a penalty in their defeat to Manchester United.
With the scores still level, the ball struck Harry Maguire’s arm from a corner, leading to appeals from the Reds for a penalty to be awarded. Referee Simon Hooper did not point to the spot and VAR opted not to overrule the initial decision due to the congestion of players competing for the cross.
Man United went on to establish a 2-0 lead but may have faced a completely different test at the City Ground , had Forest scored from the spot. Manager Steve Cooper described the incident as a “really, really bad error” , which could have led to a second yellow card for Maguire after an early caution for a foul on Tawio Awoniyi. However, ex-ref Gallagher said the officials had not made the wrong call.
Lingard linked with Leicester
Nottingham Forest midfielder Jesse Lingard is the subject of "tentative interest" from relegation rivals Leicester City ahead of the summer transfer window , according to reports.
The 30-year-old completed a surprise move to the City Ground on a free transfer from Manchester United back in the summer, but has not made the impact it was hoped he would. Lingard ’s season has been disrupted by injury, leading to him making just 17 Premier League appearances for the Reds this season.
Both injury and non-selection has seen the former United man start just two league games since the start of domestic football after the World Cup break. After being an unused substitute for the 2-0 defeat against Aston Villa, the player made his comeback to action as a late substitute in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat against his former club, coming on for the final two minutes of the game.
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