Veteran Championship manager Neil Warnock has revealed that Nottingham Forest's Brennan Johnson is a player that he loves watching and wishes there was more of in today's game.
The 20-year-old opened the scoring from the penalty spot against West Bromwich Albion and 'assisted' Jack Colback's stunning volley on the stroke of half-time. That takes Johnson to 16 goals and nine assists for the season in what is, it should be remembered, is still his rookie season in the Championship.
Aside from the impressive raw numbers, the Wales international also more than passes the eye test for the former Notts County manager. Warnock was on punditry duty during the 4-0 win alongside former Forest players David Prutton and Glenn Murray.
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"He's a good player, though, isn't he, that lad Johnson," Warnock said on Sky Sports' coverage of Monday night's match. "I love him.
"He's- what I used to like about people like him is when you pay your money to go on, whenever he gets it, there's something happens. I think there's not enough of people like that.
"He gets bums off seats, with excitement when he's got the ball. I love watching him."
Johnson's eye-catching displays have also already landed the Forest youngster on the shortlist for a Championship player of the season award. Alongside the other half of the Reds' dynamic duo down the right Djed Spence, Johnson is in the running to be named the division's young player of the year by the English Football League.
Liverpool bound Fulham attacking midfielder Fabio Carvalho makes up the three-man shortlist. A winner will be announced as part of a ceremony in London at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Sunday (April 24).
