Nottingham Forest defender Jonathan Panzo got his Coventry City loan off to the perfect start by showing a surprise quality to his game.
The Sky Blues have taken the 21-year-old Reds centre-half on a season-long spell to provide balance to the left of the Championship club’s back three following the departure of Jake Clarke-Salter.
And while Mark Robins is looking first and foremost at his defensive qualities and attributes, Panzo showed he has another string to his bow when he popped up with both goals in Saturday’s 2-0 friendly win at Oxford United when the Forest player was pitched in for his debut, getting through an hour at the Kassam Stadium.
Panzo struck first to give Coventry the lead on the half hour mark when midfielder Jamie Allen picked him at the back post and the defender headed the ball past the keeper. The centre-back then rose highest in the box to head home again from a Gustavo Hamer corner to double the Sky Blues lead on the hour, just before being withdrawn.
Assessing the player’s performance, Robins said: “He obviously scored the two goals from set plays, which was brilliant. He’s a great asset but he’s still a way off in terms of his fitness, as you saw. One or two are as well, so we will work really hard to try and contain that. He was really good for us today.”
Asked if he was expecting goals from the centre-half that Steve Cooper signed for £1.5m from Dijon in January, Robins added: “I am now! He’s got everything in his locker - he’s got the pace, he’s athletic, he’s really good on the ball.
“I think sometimes he gets things wrong but his endeavour is there and he’s really happy to be here and be working. With him and Callum Doyle it gives us a chance to work with two young players and we can see how far they can go in terms of pushing each other, but with the amount of games we’ve got, they’re all going to get game time this season.”
READ NEXT:
- 'My best' - Nottingham Forest target saying all the right things as transfer interest grows
Nottingham Forest exit 'advanced' as former Reds midfielder also linked with club
Nottingham Forest confirm signing of exciting teenager as busy transfer window continues
Nottingham Forest transfer news LIVE: Signing number eight confirmed, £10m bid, Grabban admission
