Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Steve Hodge has compared one of the club’s key players to an Arsenal legend.
The Reds are enjoying a successful season under manager Sabri Lamouchi, striving to achieve promotion to the Premier League.
The Frenchman has been able to rely on a number of key players throughout the campaign, especially in defence.
Centre-back Joe Worrall has played every minute in the Championship this season, while Matty Cash has been a revelation at right-back.
Goalkeeper Brice Samba has also impressed since his summer move from Caen, but Hodge has liked what he’s seen from another member of the Forest defence.
Tobias Figueiredo, who has stepped in alongside Worrall in place of club captain Michael Dawson, has been a key player for Forest this season.
The Portuguese centre-back has made 24 appearances in all competitions this term, scoring two goals including the winner in the 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic in December.
Hodge has compared Figueiredo to former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, and feels Forest have a height advantage in their squad which will prove useful.
“You look at Joe Worrall who is 6 ft 1 or 6 ft 2, you have Tobi Figueiredo who’s not that massive but reminds me a bit of someone like Martin Keown who’s a bit of a leech who is always at you and always competitive,” Hodge told BBC Radio Nottingham .
He added: “Nothing is easy against him and he’s always a pain to play against.
“I think he’s that kind of player with Joe alongside him who can win the headers and is quick over the ground.
“Obviously you have Michael Dawson too who is quite a back up player at 35.
“I still think he’ll have a major role to play come the end of the season but obviously at the moment Worrall and Figueiredo are playing very well, and they’re helped to run the pitch by Ben Watson who is 6 foot and Sammy Ameobi is 6 ft 3 now.
“We have some big lads in this team now which does help.
“In this league height and physicality and set pieces, as we all know, are vital and I think this season is the best we’ve been defensively and attacking-wise from set pieces for a very long time.”
