Could Karanka stick with Nottingham Forest’s fan-favourite after Sheff Utd performance?
Soccer Football - Championship - Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Nottingham Forest - Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton, Britain - January 20, 2018 Nottingham Forest manager Aitor Karanka Action Images/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Claudio Yacob made his Nottingham Forest debut on Saturday afternoon, starring against Sheffield United at the City Ground. The 31-year-old joined the club in September but hadn’t featured until November and now supporters are desperate to see more of him.
Yacob, who spent six years at West Bromwich Albion, was released over the summer before signing a two-year deal with Forest. The defensive-midfielder had been short of fitness but Aitor Karanka made a big decision to hand him his full home debut and was instantly vindicated.
Great. Controlled, broke play up well and never missplaced a pass.
— Aide or Ady. (@adopqc) November 4, 2018
Played well. Neat and tidy in possession, good positional sense, could be the midfield anchor we’ve been looking for on that display
— Chris S (@TheSlack22) November 4, 2018
Class act and it shows. Comfortable with the ball at his feet. Need to get him match fit.
— Egor The Red (@EgorTheRed) November 4, 2018
Top notch. Air of calm about the bloke. Looked like a premier league player on that showing. Good signs
— ScottE (@29Eley) November 4, 2018
Am I the only one who think yacob is sick ????
— tom connors (@tomconnors910) November 4, 2018
The Argentine international has stiff competition for a starting place, however, with Jack Colback, Ben Watson and Adlène Guédioura all vying for game time, but he’s edged himself ahead of Liam Bridcutt and could be a regular fixture in the midfield if he continues to impress – he made the second-most passes (60) for Forest on Saturday.
Forest are enjoying a bright start to the season, with Karanka’s men currently sixth in the Championship with 26 points from 16 games. The Reds have picked up three wins and a draw from their last five and could move up into third if results go their way next weekend. Yacob may keep his place alongside Guedioura for the home clash with Stoke City.