Some Nottingham Forest supporters criticised Joe Worrall for his performance in the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Leeds United on Saturday. The 22-year-old started alongside Michael Dawson at the heart of the defence and played his part in keeping the Whites at bay at Elland Road.
However, fans called out his lack of pace, slow distribution and poor one-on-one defending over the 90 minutes. Worrall has stiff competition for a starting place due to Tobias Figueiredo, Alexander Milosevic, Yohan Benalouane and Chema waiting in the wings, so he can’t afford to disappoint in games.
Would be nice if Dawson & Worrall didn’t give it away every time they got the ball.
— Ryan Bardill (@Ryan_nffc10) August 11, 2019
Dawson and Worrall need to man mark. Zonal marking doesn’t work for us
— Ian Ward (@63xBigger) August 11, 2019
The back four, were all over the place, Dawson and Worrall didn’t look comfortable together, Cash is not a AFB and his abilty is wasted at the back. Lamouchie deploys the full backs too far forward and pressures all 4 to defend oppostion flank attacks
— micky Postles (@forestlad60) August 11, 2019
First choice pairing should be Milo and Figs, then it’s for Chema to force his way in. Sell Worrall in Jan. Dawson and Robbo back up.
— ???? (@MustBlank) August 12, 2019
Better after Saturday. Showed we can dig in. Still think Milosevic and Dawson is the best CB pairing. Worrall one for the future for me, was tormented by Bamford first half.
— Lee Clarke (@Clarkey_No1) August 12, 2019
We got caught time after time with long balls we couldn’t press high due to the lack of pace with worrall dawson and especially watson. I like both of them woza and daws but just dont think there mobile enough to play together. Also distribution was awful on Saturday from them 2
— Ben Griffiths (@BenGrif58609589) August 12, 2019
Against Leeds, the Englishman made 47 touches, won two aerial duels, completed 58.8% of his 34 passes, played 10 long balls with 20% accuracy, gave away one foul, made two interceptions, blocked two shots and made six clearances.
He’s started both Forest’s Championship games this season, conceding three goals so far. Worrall’s loan spell at Rangers last season divided supporters, but Sabri Lamouchi has clearly been impressed with what he’s seen since replacing Martin O’Neill.
Matty Cash, Dawson, Worrall and Jack Robinson made up an all-English defence in the Leeds stalemate and may keep their place for another gameweek after holding Leeds to a point in their own backyard.
