Nottingham Forest midfielder Ryan Yates is to Steve Cooper what Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is to Jurgen Klopp.
An unassuming yet honest and hardworking player who acts the manager's deputy on the pitch. Neither player will dazzle you with fancy skills and tricks, but they are so important to how the whole team functions.
Yates has played that role impeccably for Forest this year, which is why he is one of four players on the shortlist for Reach's Fans' Footballer of the Year award, which is open to a public vote. NottinghamshireLive's Matt Davies handpicked the nominees and Michael Temple joined him on the Garibaldi Red podcast to review each candidate's 2022.
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"I see him as Forest's Jordan Henderson type player," Matt said. "He's not the fanciest player.
"He's like the extension of the manager and what he wants, no matter who the manager is as well. I think he's the guy who executes the plan in place.
"People we've spoken to on the podcast - David Johnson, Nick Marshall, Martin O'Neill - all say the same things about him; his attitude and his willingness to improve himself as a player. For me Yates is the standout player of the year and he's going to get better and better.
Michael echoed those comments, praising the 25-year-old's personality in particular, and thinks he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
"He started the calendar year still having, for some unknown reason, to win over the Forest fans. His detractors say he doesn't quite do enough. He does a bit of everything and he takes defensive responsibility off the flair players to do what they need to do.
"He doesn't duck a header or a tackle, has become the fittest player in the Forest squad, his ability on the ball continues to improve. He's an all-round footballer. He can make an impact in both boxes.
"The esteem in which he's held at Forest is quite unique. For me he's like the star pupil but has the personality and genuine love for the club that he carries it off.
"I hope now he's as popular in the stands as he is in the changing room, because he's a real asset in this team and I think everyone has woken up to that now."
As for his chances of taking home the award? "Yatesy has been our most consistent performer and should be the standout candidate for this award."
There you have it.
If you think Yates deserve to win, make your pick in the form below:
What do you think? Drop us a comment!
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