Early signs are good as Ojeda makes bright start for Forest
BUT SAMBA MAY NEED TO CALM DOWN AND NOT GET NEEDLESS BOOKINGS
■Q: I thought Braian Ojeda was man of the match on Saturday, pleasure to watch, great passing range. Looks a real find.
A: Scott Mckenna was my man of the match, because I thought he was outstanding. He cleared pretty much everything and gave Peterborough very little to work with. It was a really good clean sheet.
There was also a run Mckenna made in the second half where he took the game by the scruff of the neck and tried to get Forest going.
But Ojeda did look really good. He looks so neat and tidy whenever he has the ball. And he does the simple things well.
He’s still getting used to the Championship - the physicality of it will take time to adapt to.
And there is also the language barrier, although he is learning English.
He looks like he can be a really good player once he gets going, though. He’s definitely got something about him, and he looks really comfortable on the ball. Some of his passing is excellent.
It was also pleasing to see him have a couple of attempts at goal on Saturday. It shows he’s not afraid to have a go.
There’s definitely a lot more to come from him. He can only get better the more he gets used to his team-mates and the more minutes he gets on the pitch.
He’s got great potential. It’s really exciting.
It shows that Forest have taken the right approach, with Steve Cooper being really careful with him.
He wanted to be cautious with him and take things gradually, not rush Ojeda into action - wait for when the time was right. That’s paid off.
Everyone was very keen to see him, after he signed in the summer. There was a lot of intrigue about him because nobody really knew what to expect.
It took a cool head from the manager to judge when was the best time to play him. Added to that, of course, the players who have been in the team have been doing well, so he’s faced a fair bit of competition.
He’s put himself forward to feature regularly now, though. He’s shown he’s more than capable.
■Q: It was good to see the midfielders chipping in on Saturday.
A: It definitely was. Forest need as many people as possible to chip in.
It was great to see James Garner get his first of the season. I think that will help him to kick on now. Getting an assist as well, will also give him a boost.
Forest do need more players to help out with getting goals. They can’t just rely on Lewis Grabban. It can’t all be on his shoulders, others need to help out.
The more players who chip in, the better.
I’d like to see Joe Lolley get one, because I think that would be a great tonic for him.
The likes of Philip Zinckernagel, Brennan Johnson and Alex Mighten are also capable of finding the net as well as the midfielders. You want your defenders to get a few as well.
They do need a striker in January. That would be a great help. A few reinforcements in general could make a significant difference.
They have picked up points when they’ve not always been at their best in recent weeks, though, which is a good sign.
■Q: Any news on Xande Silva? He hasn’t figured for the under-23s since October 18, and no word of any injury.
A: He’s not injured. He’s just not been able to force his way into the manager’s plans and isn’t being selected at the moment.
He’s got players ahead of him in the pecking order who have been doing well.
We have asked Steve Cooper about him and the manager has said everyone will have a part to play at some point. Those players who haven’t been involved just have to keep working hard in training, try to catch his eye, and then take their opportunity when it does come.
The manager has generally stuck with the same group of players since he came in - to help build some momentum, and because they have picked up results.
But the likes of Cafu, Braian Ojeda and even Mohamed Drager have started to get involved to some degree now, so it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that others will soon get their chance - particularly with injuries, suspensions and a busy fixture list kicking in.
But it probably wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if Silva ends up going elsewhere in January, just because he is struggling to even get a look-in.
■Q: Do you think Steve Cooper needs to have words with Brice Samba about getting silly yellow cards and arguing with the referee all the time?
A: I’m not a big fan of that side of his game at all - I wasn’t a couple of seasons ago when he was really big on the time-wasting.
Personally, I think it’s better just to concentrate on making sure you do your job; focus on what you have to do, rather than getting carried away with winding up the opposition or opposition fans.
Samba was a little bit lucky on Saturday. The referee was poor.
He got a yellow card but then to argue with the ref... he was walking a bit of a tightrope. He could quite easily have found himself in a lot of trouble. It would have been no surprise if the referee had turned round and shown him another card.
You don’t want to be picking up too many needless bookings, in general. Not with the officials Forest have been getting this season.
That side of things is part of Samba’s game but I do think there’s a time and a place for it.
■Q: Any further news on loan player recalls in January?
A: Not at the moment. But I will be amazed if Middlesbrough don’t recall Djed Spence.
It’s certainly looking more and more likely that they will.
He’s in great form and is playing well for a rival, so you can see, from their perspective, why they would be keen to get him back. And Boro have got a few injury problems at the moment.
Nothing has been said officially about it yet, and there’s been no indication a decision has definitely been made.
But I’m certainly expecting it to happen.
Recall clauses are standard in most loans. It’s something Forest are aware of, and something they always knew could happen. They are trying to plan for all eventualities.
In terms of the other loanees, Max Lowe’s injury will keep him out until early to mid January, so there’s perhaps less chance of him being recalled.
He’s also doing his rehabilitation at Forest, so is very much still part of the group.
There’s not been anything to suggest Garner, Philip Zinckernagel or Jordi Osei-tutu might get recalled but we have seen with Spence how changes in circumstances at parent clubs can change the picture somewhat.