Nottingham Forest’s blockbuster £45m summer signing Liam Delap has ignited a fierce war of words among the City Ground faithful, with supporters completely split over his future after managing just one goal in his opening seven Premier League games.
The narrative surrounding the 23-year-old forward has turned increasingly toxic following a disastrous individual outing against his former club, Ipswich Town, where Delap failed to register a single shot on target while committing three fouls in a frustrating afternoon.
Former Premier League striker Glenn Murray publicly raised alarm bells regarding Delap’s wastefulness in front of goal, with analysts estimating his missed chances have already cost Oliver Glasner’s side crucial points in the top-flight table.
”Put Chris Wood Back On”: Fans Coin ‘Deflop’ Nickname Amid Bench Demands
In a community poll conducted by TalkingPoints, Forest supporters voiced wildly contrasting opinions on whether the £45m man can turn his Trentside career around:
- The ‘Deflop’ Label: A vocal segment of the fanbase believes Forest overpaid for the ex-Ipswich forward. User @ab4076178 went so far as to label the record signing “Deflop” following his goal-scoring drought.
- Demands for Chris Wood: Angry with Delap’s lack of composure, user @andy007dino insisted Glasner must demote the striker: “He really needs to buck his ideas up and start putting the ball in the net. If not, put Wood back on; he can score.”
- Questioning His Ceiling: Another fan, @jonathan.gorrie, called the Ipswich display a “tough watch,” questioning whether Delap ever possessed elite potential beyond short bursts of form.
Defending Delap: Why Supporters Believe a Hat-Trick Is Coming
Despite the heavy criticism, a significant faction of Nottingham Forest fans continues to back Delap, attributing his early-season struggles to tactical adjustment issues under Glasner rather than individual quality.
Multiple supporters pointed out Delap’s elite physical traits and ability to bully opposition center-backs:
“His general performance has been good, bullying defenders… watch this space, he won’t be the last striker to start slowly, but I think it’s a team issue.” — @flow77craig
“Lift your head up, boy… When you run at the opposition, they’re scared. Use your teammates more. We know your worth, that’s why you’re on Trentside. Relax, and the onion will burst wide open.” — @christianthackham
“Delap looks good to me. He collects the ball, drives forward, and has a shot. He bullies defenders. He’s going to score a hat-trick in a moment.” — @twlmurphy
Glasner’s High-Stakes Tactical Dilemma
With Chris Wood waiting on the bench and Forest desperate to avoid a mid-table slide, Glasner faces immense tactical pressure entering the next stretch of Premier League fixtures.
Whether Delap needs a single breakout goal to ignite his season or a stint on the bench behind Wood, the £45m forward’s ongoing struggle remains the most divisive topic on Trentside.
