Player Ratings After 12 Games

[Jasper Scarrott]

Janko slightly better then Dariwka at the moment, by not much to be honest...

I think that is a bit harsh on Janko mate.

To be fair he did look a bit out of sorts against Millwall but he had been brilliant up to that point.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

In my opinion most people have been too harsh on Darikwa and possibly too kind on Janko. I think both are decent or good Championship level players and very little to choose between them, we will do fine with either of them at RB. A fit Byram however is the type of player a league winning team would have in their side, but we dont have a fit Byram and suspect we never will have.

[GaribaldiRED]

Could be that some of us have been a bit harsh on Darikwa but for me he has had a few too many defensive errors since he came in. Janko has been more or less solid in all the games he has played. Based on that it's difficult for me to see that these two players should be more or less equal in terms of performances.

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We cannot comment on Byram, he didnt even finish one whole game !!!! ... Janko slightly better then Dariwka at the moment, by not much to be honest...

I agree Malta, 75 min isn't really enough to judge a player but Byram at least managed to show glimpses of what he's capable of. A pity he didn't last longer.

[Mad Squad]

There is still a chance that we may see Byram again this season, it would be a great boost for us if he came back for the last 12-15 games or so.

[Duncan Mckenzie]

From what I have seen of both Janko and Darikwa I would give Janko the nod although it is a close call.

Darikwa is looking an improved player under Karanka this season.

[GaribaldiRED]

I think we all agree that we have potentially to good right backs at the club. I believe we also agree that Janko should currently be our number one right back. There is however some disagreement as to how far behind Darikwa is. Some argue that the is very little between the two players while others argue that Darikwa is showing promising positive development but that there is still some way to go before he can dislodge Janko. It also seems apparent that we all would take Byram back if that was a possibility.

Now, let’s move over to the left side.

Robinson: 6,5
Robinson is gradually getting there. He has the basis for being a good left back. He's more of a traditional left back than a wing back but he is learning to be more involved in the attacking play. My biggest concern about Robinson is his lack of pace and you only have to look at the right side of the team to see how important pace is. Both Janko and Darikwa has good pace and that helps immensely when tracking back or playing against a pacy winger. Very disappointed about his sending off against Middlesbrough. Will be interesting to see if that will have any consequences for Robinson's starting place.

Osborn (left back): 7
As we all know, Osborn isn't really a left back but because of his overall football skills and quick mind he has been able to comfortably slot into the left back position with relative ease. He should get a huge pad on the back for that and we should really thank our lucky stars for having such a versatile and hardworking footballer at our club. It's therefore very disappointing that we have some fans that seem to keep on slating him with a passion independent of what he's actually doing on the pitch. With all due respect, it is tempting to classify these fans as lacking the necessary understanding of football tactics and also lacking the ability to follow a game beyond the player who is having the football at his feet. A bit harsh maybe but I don’t have any other rational explanation. Every team mate and member of the coaching staff value what he brings to the team immensely and he has now played 133 consecutive games under 5 or 6 different managers. That is one achievement that really says it all.

So do you agree with my assessment and should we use the January window to buy one more left back?

[Sniffer Dog (Admin)]

I like the look of Robinson and he can and will get even better. My only real concern with him is his temperament, hopefully he learned a lesson at Boro.

What can you say about 'our Ben'. I will only say thank god that he is ours and not somebody elses.

For me, Robinson now has the shirt and it's his to lose. Ben will get games elsewhere in the team and if he has to play left back (like he will against Norwich) then one thing is for sure...he won't let anyone down.

[the jock]

I agree with sniffer.

Personally I feel more comfortable with Robinson at left back he's a solid player. He's just lacking going forward but hopefully that will come with more games. He hasn't played left back in a few years

[GaribaldiRED]

That's a good point Jock, he's been playing center back for a while and it will of course take some time before he fully gets to grip with his left back tasks again. I too believe that Robinson currently is the number one left back but you never know. Osborn will have to step in for the next game and if he does well combined with Robinson's disciplinary lapse he could find himself behind Osborn for a few games at least.

[Salvatore Matrecano]

I would be happy enough with Robinson 1st choice LB and Osborn to be pushed back there if necessary eg we are bringing on another attacking mid. I would however start Benny every game in midfield, we just look more balanced with him on the pitch.

Is it just me or are the Osborn haters a bit quieter this season though? I used to be surrounded by them moaning if he misplaced a pass in games when he was pretty well the only player in a red shirt actually trying. He seems a bit more appreciated this year.

So if we assume Benny is midfielder then we do need another LB preferably in the Janko mould, a bit more pace but also some physicality. Robinson is fine but he does have a poor injury record so cover needed.

[Turkish]

Now we have Heff Fig Dawson and Fox if Robinson is injured we can go 3-5-2 with Ossie at LWB, that gives us options beyond just sticking Ossie into a back 4 which he is more than capable of playing

I'm not sure I can tell what we need come January but I would think more firepower is the order of the day be that from the flanks or down the centre of the the park, I think its more about getting more out of what we have and that seems to be happening

[GaribaldiRED]

See your point Turkish but I believe we have seen that the system that Karanka wants Forest to play is getting more and more understood and adopted by the players. One of the results is that the DMCs are increasingly covering the flanks when the full backs are attacking. Especially Colback has been very good at just that recently. My point being that I'm not sure that we will have to play 3 CBs to keep the our recent solidity at the back. Remember that you will have to scarify one midfielder if you want to go 3 at the back.