Yates sure double act with Jack will shine
RYAN SAYS DUO ON LEARNING CURVE IN FOREST MIDFIELD
RYAN Yates is confident his midfield partnership with Nottingham Forest teammate Jack Colback can improve – but he would welcome extra competition in that department.
Fans have been divided over whether the duo can work together in the centre of the pitch, following successive League defeats for the Reds.
Some argue they are too similar, while others feel boss Chris Hughton’s favoured 4-2-3-1 formation is too defensive.
Yates says he continues to work on developing his game, including adding more attacking threat, and is enjoying playing alongside Colback.
“I like playing alongside Jack,” he said, ahead of tonight’s home Championship clash against Blackburn Rovers (7.45pm).
“He’s an extremely reliable player. I know exactly what I’m going to get from him defensively.
“I think a lot of Jack’s work goes completely unnoticed. He’s played so many games, he knows the role so well, he knows his ability.
“When you’re playing alongside players like that, it gives you a lot of confidence. You know if you go to press, they’re going to be in the right position to screen you.
“We haven’t played a massive amount of games together, so we’re always still learning. And we’re playing with new players around us, so sometimes it takes time to gel.
“We’re always working on getting the balance right.
“I’m always trying to progress my game.
“For certain, that’s something I want to do (get forward). I’ve got a knack of getting into the box at the right times, and Jack will naturally sit for me.
“But increasing my passing range, playing forward on the front foot, that’s something I need to develop on, for sure. I can only improve myself, that’s all I can do.
“I want to improve my allround game. As a central midfielder, you need to be fantastic at everything.
“We lacked goals last season. I’m in the team, I’d say, because I do add that goal threat.
“I was so gutted that one didn’t sneak in on Saturday (when he hit the post against Bournemouth). That’s something I need to do more of. I was on the front foot and the space opened up for me; I know I can shoot from range, I just need to show it a little bit more.”
Hughton is keen for more options in midfield before the transfer window closes, with Manchester United’s James Garner a target. Although reinforcements would mean more competition for a place in the team, Yates says it can only help him improve.
“I don’t really care, to be honest!” he added. “I have the mindset that, ‘if they’re going to bring in another central midfielder, fantastic, he’s going to play next to me and up my level.’ It’s just going to make me better.”