Nottingham Forest - Wigan

[Strawberry Avenger]

As for Ryan Yates, he just is not good enough.

Hey, if Yates has had a crepe day then he's had a crepe day.  Singling out a DCM/CM from our Academy over the abundance of blame in our front line is harsh.  From the comments Samba and Grabban got mentioned along with Fig', the goal scorer.  That's 3 players out of 11.  If Yates 'isn't' good enough, he had a lot of company today.  (I, personally, think in a year's time, Yates will be as good as Worrall or Cash if not better.  They're been in the squad under several managers over several seasons.)

But let's look at all the players in attack (who aren't graduates of our excellent Academy system...who have cost real money.)

So, let's say Yates was the 'headless chicken' today that has been muted...what were our wingers doing?  eg. Ameobi.  Or Car (our 'star players?')  Or Lolley?  Or any of the forward players to impose themselves on the game?

Worrall, Cash have had it in the neck when they were introduced to the side.  Worrall had to do Rangers and got a lot of it in the neck up there. 

Yates is probably a year or so behind them.  So, to be in the midfield at his age is impressive.

He's recently scored a goal i.e. doing the forward's job for them.

I'd say it's like this with youth.  You introduce them amongst a team of battle ready players.  And when their form dips, you drop them to the bench.  And go again finding the time to introduce them.  But if Sow gets injured (again) who do we play their instead?  We haven't really got one who is better than Yates as back up.  So Yates continues his apprenticeship alongside the ageing legs of Watson.

Jan'.  Jack Colback.  We can only hope.  It shouldn't be on Yates to carry Forest's promotion hopes.

That's recruitment's job.  And they didn't do it 'that well' in Summer.  But they did it well enough to secure Sow.  Without him, Forest would be mid-table this season.  And he's been missing for the other half of the 1st half of this season.

SA.

You’re right - it shouldn’t be ‘on Yates shoulders’.
The fact that he is an academy product is totally irrelevant.
If you’re not good enough I don’t give a toss where you came from.
And as for him being ‘a year behind’ he’s the same age as Worrall, Cash & Carvalho.

Aye.  It's a bit harsh for it be on Yate's shoulders. 

He's a recent introduction to the Forest team compared to the others who have had years in the team.  They've had far more development in that 1st team under several managers at this level for several seasons.  That's an advantage Yates didn't have.  Players develop at different ages.  Marlon Harewood being a prime example. Yates momentum was somewhat curtailed under Aitor instead of sending him out on loan he was in no man's land for half a season. But got to hang around the squad. Perhaps a loan to another Championship team where he would play would have helped his development.

There is the adage if you're you're good enough then you're old enough.  Yates is in the Forest team. But to pin a top 6 position on a DCM/CM been introduced to the 1st team in the last half a year (played a lot under MoN...) or just 'one' striker such as Grabban?

If we're pointing blame or fingers....perhaps the 'blame' needs to go elsewhere.

Young players sometimes develop at variable rates.  And that applies to Car' too.

But again, it falls down to recruitment.  If Yates (recently scored a goal so he did part of the forward line's job...) has an off day he gets dropped to the bench to continue his development.  Same for Car'.  But the problem for the latter.  He cost £13 million ish.  We're not Chelsea.  We can't afford to introduce young players who cost £13 million from 'our' bench.

So.  Yates is a year behind in his development.  At least.  Regardless of age.  His form will go up and down.  He doesn't get to stay in the team regardless of form.  Car' too.  But Forest lack options at DCM and ACM.  So...*(looks around.)

Recruitment.  Give The Coach options to allow these players to develop and take the pressure off the shoulders.

That's where January should be about bringing in Jack Colback or better who is battle ready for this league.

SA.