It was good to see Claudio Yacob back in the Nottingham Forest starting XI at Sheffield United on Good Friday and I’d say he was our best player on the day.
Remarkably for a player of his quality, that was his first start since Martin O’Neill’s very first game in charge against Bristol City which is nigh on three months ago.
Yacob was efficient throughout the game, he’s neat, tidy and does the simple things well.
There’s nothing fancy with him, he just wins the ball and gives it to somebody with more creative flair.
He knows his limitations and plays to his strengths.
The Argentinian has certainly been a big miss for Forest over the last couple of months and I’d hope he gets an extended run in the team between now and the end of the season.
Why he hasn’t been involved despite the manager recently praising him is down to Martin, only he really knows though given Jack Colback’s suspension I’d hope to see him play the next four.
With four games left, the manager has talked repeatedly about changing things around, giving other players a chance, and Yacob’s inclusion was a positive note on an otherwise frustrating afternoon.
If Nottingham Forest lose to Middlesbrough, Evangelos Marinakis could have a tough decision to make
Forest face Middlesbrough on Monday at the City Ground, and we all know the importance of three points, just to lift the gloom a little.
I’d bring back Ben Osborn to play in the middle of the park – his energy has been missed, as has his ability to make things happen in the front third of the park.
While I wasn’t too impressed with Ryan Yates, I’d keep him in the side alongside Yacob, but would have Osborn in there, too.
Nottingham Forest should only sign Jack Colback if they're going to play him in midfield
