Nottingham Forest fans were resolute in their belief that one Reds player was more disappointing than Dilane Bakwa in the recent 3-1 loss to Aston Villa. Despite executing a near-flawless game plan in the first half against Villa, a lapse in concentration from Elliot Anderson allowed Ollie Watkins to capitalize on the mistake and score just before halftime. Following the break, John McGinn added another goal for Villa, but Morgan Gibbs-White’s well-taken strike provided Forest with a glimmer of hope.
The turning point came with Villa’s third goal, the second for McGinn, where John Victor’s inexplicable decision to rush out of his goal left fans in no doubt as to the weakest performer in the team during their ongoing run of four consecutive defeats. Victor’s error allowed McGinn to convert what many fans dubbed as the easiest goal of his career. A subsequent poll on the website solidified Victor as the target of frustration, garnering a staggering 82.98% of the votes from 423 participants, with Elliot Anderson taking up a distant second place with 10% of the votes.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fixture against West Ham, many supporters advocate for Matz Sels to be reinstated in goal, considering it a poor choice by manager Sean Dyche to not immediately reinsert him into the starting lineup upon his return to full fitness following injury. Sels, who shared the Golden Glove distinction last season with Arsenal’s David Raya, still commands respect for his past performances, despite some ups and downs this season. Victor’s erratic display against Villa only served to underscore the necessity for a more stable presence between the posts, with a strong call for Sels to reclaim his position.
Forest’s upcoming game against West Ham is a critical one, and it is widely believed that Sels should be given the nod, even if Victor were deemed fit to play. The team cannot afford another loss, and Sels’ return could be the key to shoring up the defense and securing a much-needed victory.
