Even though he didn’t manage to get on the scoresheet, that doesn’t mean he’s not an important part of the team.
That was the verdict that Nottingham Forest winger Joe Lolley offered about teammate Lewis Grabban after Forest’s 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough on Tuesday night. Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live, Lolley talked about how the rest of the team are responsible for putting him in the best position to score:
“That is what he is paid to do and he is a goalscorer and is always a threat. He is always going to be in those positions and it is up to us to give him those opportunities to score, knowing that he will take his chances as that is what he does best.”
To which I have a simple response to Lolley on the matter, we need to start seeing it more, and not just with Grabban, but the rest of the team.
Whilst Grabban will understandably be given most of the attention when it comes to service, given that he is the club’s first-choice centre-forward, the lack of support from the rest of the team has been quite frankly criminal, with the next highest goalscorer after the 31-year-old being Lolley himself with just four goals so far this season.
And with talk heading up to the January transfer window predominantly surrounding who the club can bring in to help support Grabban and give him some rest, there needs to be a serious talk around the club about who else is going to be providing the goals. The club can’t simply rely on one position to find the back of the net, the help needs to come from all areas of the pitch, and so far the club just hasn’t been getting any in great numbers.
Who would you rather have up front?
Grabban
Gayle
Both
So whilst the club looks to add to the goal department by bringing in another centre-forward, perhaps Sabri Lamouchi and the rest of the club need to start doing some work on the rest of the club to make up the shortfall before the window opens.