The spotlight always seems to shine on one player at Nottingham Forest with fans loving their own and occasionally questioning them.
Last season it was Ryan Yates and after two games of this term, Brennan Johnson was somewhat under the microscope for his start in the Premier League. Johnson now has his first goal after scoring in the draw against Everton and he might have had two but for a marginal if correct call by VAR against West Ham.
Coming out of Goodison Park, much of the chat it seems was about Reds skipper Joe Worrall and how he has stepped up so far. Worrall has found it tough in both away games. Avoidable bookings against Newcastle and Everton have put him under pressure in matches as he finds it difficult against quick wingers such as Allan Saint-Maximin and Anthony Gordon.
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Worrall's lack of pace has been exposed and having to be bailed out by Dean Henderson after a poor late header at Everton didn't help him. However, definitive judgements at this stage are foolish.
There is more to the story than just saying Worrall is not up to it, certainly after three games! Forest's style of play means Neco Williams gets high up the pitch leaving plenty of space for good teams to attack. Premier League teams are good teams and Worrall has been left as the man exposed.
Plenty of central defenders would struggle in those situations. Last season, James Garner and Ryan Yates were adept at covering that space with their athleticism and energy.
Both Orel Mangala and Lewis O'Brien have been excellent so far, but Forest are a team still fine tuning their tactics and balance, especially on the road and playing with three genuine forwards means you cannot cover every blade of grass. That said, it was good to see Yates back and impressing, whole Remo Freuler looks a tremendous signing.
Steve Cooper places faith in his men to go one v one against opponents and at times Worrall has been caught out. This is the Premier League and it was inevitable that would happen to every player.
Harry Toffolo and O'Brien found it difficult against Newcastle and have shown their credentials since then. Don't forget, Worrall was tremendous in the FA Cup against Arsenal, Leicester and Liverpool last season - all at home.
Maybe he would benefit from playing the Steve Cook role in the middle of a three but that doesn't look feasible with the current squad as Giulian Biancone is given time to bed in, while Moussa Niakhate is also out with a hamstring injury.
Scrutiny is inevitable but Worrall has shown time and again he has the character and quality to have earned this chance in the top flight. He is going to be tested next week when Forest face Spurs with Ivan Perisic, Son Heung-min and perhaps Richarlison down his side. A few days later is the small matter of Man City with Joao Cancelo, Jack Grealish and Phil Foden.
Forest might individually and collectively find that quality too much to cope with but then fixtures ease and the Reds and their skipper can flourish. I hope nobody is foolish enough to write him off.
Are you backing Worrall to show his best form in the Premier League? Have your say in the comments section below
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