PHIL’S KIDS
PHILIPPE MONTANIER takes pride in blooding young players and the new Nottingham Forest boss says he will stick with his principles after both the sublime and silly were on show in this seven-goal thriller.
A clinical double by City Ground favourite Britt Assombalonga proved the difference, while goals from youngsters Thomas Lam and Oliver Burke added to the early optimism among the home faithful.
Five Forest players were below the age of 23 and the French manager waxed lyrical over their contribution.
“I have played youngsters at my previous clubs in Spain and France and I will continue to do so – they all did very well,” said the former Rennes boss.
“But I am not using these players because they are young, I am playing them because they are good players. They have done well in pre-season and they have taken their chance.
“The atmosphere was fantastic and there were good emotions for me. And I am pleased for Assombalonga who has also worked very hard since his injury. He deserved his two goals.
“I was not happy with the defending because three goals is too much. We must improve.”
A dull opening period exploded into life after 23 minutes. Forest poured forward in numbers and when Henri Lansbury’s drive fell kindly for Jorge Grant on the right, the midfielder’s cross was bundled home by Assombalonga.
But the home delights were short-lived when Albion equalised within four minutes. Forest defenders failed to clear a corner and captain John Mousinho’s centre was converted by Lucas Akins.
And three minutes later the Brewers were in dreamland. A counter-attack led to Chris O’Grady bursting through and his lay off was side-footed home by debutant Lloyd Dyer.
The visitors continued to look the brighter of the two sides before, deep into first-half injury time, Forest levelled. A short corner saw the ball drop at the feet of centre-back Lam and, from 20 yards, he fired beyond Jon McLaughlin.