Paul Taylor wowed by two Nottingham Forest gems during B-Team defeat, one really got stuck in
Yesterday at 03:18 AM
The Nottingham Forest academy is one aspect of the football club that never divides the supporters at all.
Over the years, Forest have produced some brilliant players, with Brennan Johnson earning the Reds £47.5 million a little over 12 months ago.
Others to have seen Forest benefit from sales have been Matty Cash, Oliver Burke and before their era, Michael Dawson and Andy Reid.
The challenge is to find the next Johnson and Ryan Yates and Craig Mulholland and his team of coaches are busy behind the scenes.
With a Category One status now secured at Forest, the last few season have seen the club enter a host of new competitions.
On Tuesday, the Reds were in action in the Premier League International Cup, with Valencia the visitors to Loughborough University.
Paul Taylor hails two Nottingham Forest youngsters
It’s two players whom the Reds fan base will definitely have heard of who caught Taylor’s eye.
Valencia actually ran out 1-0 winners on the night against Forest but there were still some positive performers.
Joe Gardner was the first and James Perch raved about him as Forest beat Carlisle last month in the EFL Trophy.
Taylor posted on X: “NFFC unfortunate to be edged to a 1-0 defeat by Valencia in the Premier League International Cup.
“Forest played well and only beaten by an injury-time goal.
“Lots of good performances. But particularly impressed with Joe Gardner.”
Another standout was Fin Back and it’s been a hard couple of years for the versatile full-back.
He went on loan to Carlisle on two occasions – suffering a serious injury during one of those spells and battling back.
Taylor said on his performance: “Fin Back was good in the first half but was withdrawn at half-time when he was on a booking. Valencia players quite enthusiastic about making it clear when they had been subject to contact.”
Future is bright at the Forest behind the scenes
Yesterday, it was announced that two Irish trialists will start with Forest for 10 days from Monday and no stone is being left unturned.
Gary Brazil was always going to leave some big shoes to fill but right now it looks as though Craig Mulholland is getting a lot right.
The teams across the board at the City Ground are producing the goods and even when beaten, the Reds often have a go.
There is a clear pathway to the first team under Nuno Espirito Santo who has given Zach Abbott minutes on the pitch this season.
Forest have an amazing academy and hopefully it can continue to thrive over the years.
