Forest striker Lewis Grabban has had a prosperous start to the Sky Bet Championship season, both in terms of goals scored and his overall involvement and impact on the team.
Prior to his move to the ‘Reds’, Grabban had been through something of a nomadic spell in his career, playing for five different clubs across a six year spell – and failing to adequately settle or produce at any of them.
The talent has always been there though, and the 31-year-old now seems to be flourishing under the stewardship of Sabri Lamouchi.
Grabban has cemented himself into the role of main striker at the club – though the competition for the role is perhaps a little limited – and has found the net five times thus far this campaign as Forest have made a very bright start to life under their French manager.
He offers more than just goals to this Forest side though, his all-round game is pivotal to the way the team sets up and what he offers in the forward role helps his team both defensively and offensively.
Grabban is very experienced at Championship level. Physically strong, not lacking in pace and with a fair amount of Striker’s nous – the frontman has a little bit of everything needed to play, and succeed, in the second tier.
What is really helping his Forest team though, is his work rate. Harassing and pressing opponents and making life difficult for defender’s has aided his teammates immensely, forcing mistakes that have allowed the likes of Joe Lolley and Sammy Ameobi to get on the ball higher up the field quicker and cause problems.
Ironically enough, Grabban’s work rate was questioned last season by former Forest player Kenny Burns, who felt he wasn’t doing enough. However, the Reds legend has gone full circle telling NottinghamshireLive that Grabban may now be working too hard and pressing too early, causing his team defensive problems in doing so.
The statistics don’t necessarily add weight to that argument though. Forest have performed admirably in defence and have conceded just nine goals (less than one a game) in the Championship this season.
Grabban’s desire to win the ball back lends itself to a Forest side built on structure, efficiency and hard-work as, though they have some very talented players, they aren’t looking a side that will create an overly high amount of chances and dominate possession every week.
The fact that Grabban is having his best season for some time, looks happy in his role and is clearly benefitting the team with his work as a whole, shows the striker should carry on in exactly the same vein moving forward.
