Nottingham Forest made the trip to the Pirelli Stadium yesterday evening to face relegated League One side Burton Albion in the EFL Cup fourth round.
On paper, it looked like a game we should win pretty comfortably even with manager Aitor Karanka making changes, but with that said we know from their time in the Championship they don’t shirk when it comes to effort.
They eventually took a 3-2 victory with all the goals coming in the second half, but Liam Bridcutt gave away a first half penalty so things could’ve been far worse for the travelling fans on a bitterly cold night. The 29-year-old two time Scottish international’s blushes were spared when Liam Boyce skied his effort over Luke Steele’s crossbar, but even having had largely the better of the opening 45, for many it probably set the tone of the tie.
Bridcutt’s own performance came in for significant criticism on social media given the penalty incident.
Hopefully all those fans can now see why we don't play Bridcutt!! Poor pass after poor pass. And should never play him AND Watson at same time!! Get Lolley on!! #nffc #forest
— Lex (@alexihughes27) October 30, 2018
Not a clue what Bridcutt is doing. He has been awful.
— Nick (@NickBrookz) October 30, 2018
Embarrassing
— Chris (@chrisredone) October 30, 2018
Watson + Bridcutt absolutely shocking. Don’t start on the full backs! #NFFC
— Christopher Curtis (@Pud1) October 30, 2018
Bridcutt has probably sealed his January departure with that foul for Burton's missed penalty. AK didn't fancy him before and this won't help. #NFFC
— Jax (@CarnorJax87) October 30, 2018
That’s Bridcutt for you #nffc … just in case you wondered why he doesn’t play to often.. yellow card magnet
— Mike…nffc (@nffcalways1) October 30, 2018
That’s Bridcutt not getting a game on Saturday. #NFFC
— Allan not Alan or Allen! (@AllanMayfield) October 30, 2018
Can we end the bridcutt debate now he's not strong enough for me
— craig (@greenyc77) October 30, 2018
That was an awful first half wtf was bridcutt thinking going into that challenge #NFFC
— Kieren (@kingkieren10) October 30, 2018
In fairness, Bridcutt was far from alone when it came to being poor on the night and a number of players should have taken a long hard look in the mirror at the fulltime whistle, but the former Leeds United midfielder will not have enhanced his chances of building on his four appearances so far this year on the back of that.
