A good message, but is it time for a little bit more?
Having made a couple of cameo appearances so far this season in the league, with a few longer spells in the Carabao Cup, Brennan Johnson has praised Forest boss Sabri Lamouchi for the way he has helped him mature during this campaign.
Speaking to BBC Wales, Johnson was keen to point out just how much faith Lamouchi has in the young players at the City Ground and how that has helped his development so far, as well as going forward:
“He is really good with us – all the young players. I thought I would be with the under-23s at the start of the season and hopefully towards the back-end of the season I might be involved with the first team. To be in since the start has been great and I think it’s only going to make me a better player.”
Whilst it’s great to hear Johnson talking about the Frenchman in such high regard, and how he feels that he is somewhat ahead of schedule when it comes to his development and the City Ground, is it so much to ask that he be given more of a chance to prove himself?
With talk about how Forest might bring someone in during the January transfer window when it comes to giving Lewis Grabban some back up, what about before then? Why is it that Rafa Mir is seen as the option to come off the bench towards the end of games, would it not be more beneficial for Johnson to get those minutes instead? At the end of the day, you want to be developing your talent rather than letting them rot on the bench, or stunting their growth by keeping them in the U23 side all season.
It’s far too early in his career to start demanding that he start games as a direct competitor to the likes of Grabban, but if Lamouchi really has that much faith in him, isn’t it time that he really gave him the chance to prove his faith is well placed?
Should Brennan Johnson get more minutes?
Yes
No
And if not here, then maybe it’s time we consider sending him out on loan?
