After Brennan Johnson scored a hat-trick for Nottingham Forest u23s in Monday’s 4-1 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road, some fans have called on Martin O’Neill to select him in the first-team squad for the Reds’ upcoming Championship game.
He’s on fire ????
— Keith Asare (@keithasare8) April 15, 2019
Get him in the squad for the first team!
— JCMedia (@_JCMedia_) April 15, 2019
I’m at the #itfc U23’s game. 2 quick things. We’re playing terribly and #nffc look very good. That Brennan Johnson has got a bit about him! If I was Martin O Neil he’d be straight in the team!!!
— George Lee (@George_lee99) April 15, 2019
get johnson in the first team
— Joe (@nffcJB) April 15, 2019
Do they fancy a run out on Friday against Sheffield United?
— Tom Home (@_tomhome) April 15, 2019
Enjoyed watching the under 23s last Monday so much pace and power in the side ## Brennan Johnson is going to be a real player and I honestly think he’s ready for a first team shot## good enough ur old enough and there’s worse players in first team than him ##supertalentmate ##
— GAZ fun bus LAVINE (@Gazlavine) April 15, 2019
https://twitter.com/RowdenJRSG/status/1117864726896074753
Forest travel to Bramall Lane to face Sheffield United on Friday and could be much-changed after O’Neill said he’d consider giving fringe players a run-out due to their chances of promotion being all but dead this season. the East Midlands side are currently 11th in the table and eight points adrift of the playoffs with 12 points available to them.
Arvin Appiah has been recently included in the squad and many more youngsters could follow in Forest’s last four games. Johnson is certainly doing everything in his power to be noticed by O’Neill, with the 17-year-old scoring five goals in his last two reserve-team games, so he could be in line to make his senior debut.
Forest u23s have enjoyed a strong finish to the season, winning their last four games in the Professional Development League, and Johnson is making a real name for himself. The Reds have nothing to lose by turning to youth, so why not consider giving the teenager valuable minutes to boost his development?
