Kenny Burns was critical of Lewis Grabban in his column for the Nottinghamshire Live, suggesting the Nottingham Forest striker’s “confidence has gone” and that Martin O’Neill should consider “moving him on” this summer if he can’t recapture his form in the run-in.
Burns wrote: “Lewis Grabban looks like a player whose confidence has gone. Whether we end up letting Grabban go or not – and personally, I would maybe think about moving him on – we desperately need a couple of strikers in the summer.”
Grabban has struggled for goals since the turn of the year, scoring only two goals since December 2018 – vs Brentford on February and vs Rotherham on April 6. The 31-year-old is Forest’s top scorer this season with 16 goals and three assists in 34 Championship games, but his dip in form has coincided with the Reds’ failing playoffs bid.
Forest are currently 11th in the table with 57 points from 42 games, coming off the back of three consecutive defeats against Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday and Blackburn Rovers. The East Midlands outfit are eight points adrift of the playoffs with only 12 points available and have only picked up one win in their last six.
The Reds’ away form has been the biggest problem, with Forest winning only three of 21 games on the road – the last of which came against Hull City on November 24, 2018. They’ve failed to win their last 12 on their travels which has led to them falling short in their pursuit of a top-six finish.
Grabban could be one of many players moved on this summer. It’s clear a squad overhaul is needed.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
‘It would be good’ – defender wants his club to sign Nottingham Forest man
