Karim Ansarifard was given another late cameo appearance by Aitor Karanka in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Ipswich Town. The 28-year-old has amassed less than 10 minutes of playing time in the Championship since joining on a free transfer in October.
Against Ipswich, Ansarifard completed just one pass, took one shot, won one aerial duel and made three touches. It’s a meagre contribution for a player who was at Olympiacos in August and Karanka’s treatment of the Iranian international is harmful.
It’s common for new signings to be bedded in slowly, but the Forest manager is hardly giving Ansarifard a chance to develop in the Championship. In four league appearances, the striker has managed around eight minutes of football and has unsurprisingly failed to make a telling impact.
The 28-year-old has played for the likes of Saipa (Iran), Persepolis (Iran), Tractor Sazi (Iran), CA Osasuna (Spain), Panionios (Greece) and Olympiacos (Greece), so he’s used to having to adapt to new surroundings. Forest need to give Lewis Grabban a rest, with the forward having scored 14 goals in 16 Championship starts. Karanka should give Ansarifard more minutes.
