Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has opened up about the unique challenges of filling an unfamiliar central defensive role, drawing high praise from former teammate and current Newcastle star Anthony Elanga in the process.
Eyebrows were understandably raised ahead of Saturday’s fixture when the Nottingham Forest starting lineup featured Aina deployed on the right side of a central defensive back three. With Nikola Milenkovic sidelined due to injury and Jair Cunha battling a hamstring complaint, manager Oliver Glasner was forced to shuffle his pack.
Although Aina is a relative novice when it comes to playing centrally—having spent the vast majority of his career patrolling the full-back areas since arriving at Forest on a free transfer—he stepped up to the plate and delivered a performance that earned widespread appreciation from the club’s fanbase.
Aina Admits to the Demands of Playing Centre-Back
Taking to his personal Instagram channel on Wednesday night, Aina was directly asked by supporters about his experience playing in the heart of the defence. In a candid assessment, the versatile Nigerian international admitted that the shift came with significant hurdles.
“It was a bit of a difference, I can’t lie. It was different,” Aina shared with his followers. “There was a lot more… I feel like I had to read the game a bit more. That was a bit difficult for me, I can’t lie.”
Despite the tactical adjustments required and the mental strain of reading the game from a deeper, more central vantage point, Aina handled the challenge admirably as Glasner’s side navigated a tough fixture.
Anthony Elanga Sends Public Support
Aina’s gritty shift didn’t go unnoticed outside of the City Ground either. Former Forest winger Anthony Elanga, who now plies his trade with Newcastle United, took to social media to validate the supporters’ praise and weigh in on his friend’s defensive display.
Weighing in on the Instagram exchange, Elanga posted a strong endorsement of his former teammate’s capabilities:
“I think you played that role perfectly.”
What This Means for Aina’s Place in the Squad
The timely performance gives manager Oliver Glasner plenty of food for thought as the squad prepares for their upcoming fixtures. With Daniel Munoz currently looking locked in as the preferred option at right wing-back, regular minutes out wide might prove harder to come by for Aina as the season progresses.
However, by proving he can seamlessly slot into central defence when injury crises strike, Aina has showcased invaluable positional versatility. While he might still be adjusting to the intricacies of playing centrally, his stellar attitude and recent showing virtually guarantee that he will remain a vital part of Forest’s plans in the short term.
