Martin O’Neill says Joao Carvalho needs to “fight his way into the side” after being dropped from the Nottingham Forest starting eleven. The 21-year-old joined from Benfica over the summer and hit top form after a slow start in his debut campaign at the City Ground.
After failing to score and make just one assist in his first seven league games, Carvalho scored and created eight goals from the 12 matches that followed. He’s been short of form of late, however, failing to score or make an assist in his previous seven outings.
O’Neill said to Nottinghamshire Live: “I think he is a very talented footballer (and) is still getting used to the real demands of this league. This is something that players can find real difficulty in. They might get off to a good early start and then the winter months kick-in and it is something else.
“He has definite talent, no question of that and, like anything else, it is up to him to fight his way into the side, hopefully. It is up to him to hopefully believe he will get a chance to play. I am sure during the coming weeks that could easily happen.”
Carvalho’s poor form has led to him being left on the bench in Forest’s last two league games against Reading and Bristol City. The Portuguese u21 international’s dip has coincided with the club’s downfall, with O’Neill’s men having lost five games from their last eight and managing only one win in nearly eight weeks.
His absence may be partly the reason why Forest are struggling creatively, but he was also in the side when the goals dried up. O’Neill opted for two strikers against City but the Reds still suffered defeat without scoring. They’ve failed to score in four of their last five in all competitions and need Carvalho in top form if they’re to get out of their slump.
As things stand, Forest are six places and seven points off the playoffs with 18 games remaining.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Out-of-favour Nottingham Forest man could return to first-team in February
